Author Archives: Circus Smirkus
Kerry Kaye
Kerry Kaye, Acro Coach Sessions: Adult Camp, College Age Camp, Smirkling Camp & Intro to Smirkus Kerry has coached and trained people of all ages: from developing and implementing a training program for blossoming computer technicians in college, to working as an instructor for the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour and Summer Camp programs, to creating his own Circus School – Circus Maine. Kerry has a high attention to detail while also being able to explain concepts and technique concisely and in different ways to ensure students learn quickly and safely. When coaching in group environments, Kerry balances the group…
Diane Wasnak
Diane Wasnak, Senior Clown Coach, All Sessions In her life long career as a physical comedienne, Diane Wasnak apprenticed with Master Mime, Tony Montanaro at the Celebration Barn. She was then hired by Judy Finelli to work with Joan Mankin (“Queenie Moon”) in the Pickle Family Circus. Diane (“Pino”) and Queenie were the first female clown duo to be featured in the history of American circus. Diane received her acrobatic training from Master Trainer LuYi, who credited Diane with being the first woman in the Western Hemisphere to perform traditional male tricks on the Chinese Pole. Diane later partnered with…
Becky Brown
Becky Brown, Aerials Tent Lead & Senior Coach, All Sessions This will be Becky‘s first year coaching with Circus Smirkus, and she could not be happier to be working with this amazing organization! When it comes to the circus world, Becky is a self-professed Jack of All Trades. She has performed on nearly every apparatus that can be hung from the ceiling, and has also trained in partner acrobatics, swinging trapeze, Russian bar, bungee dance, hand balancing, and contortion. Becky began coaching in 2011 in her home state of Colorado, teaching aerial fabric, hoop, sling, single point trapeze, and ground acrobatics to the youth…
Billy Higgins
Billy Higgins, Clowning Tent Lead, All Sessions Billy Higgins is a multidisciplinary clown, performer and devised theatre maker. Currently based in New York City, Billy has coached and written pedagogy for The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA), and teaches on the movement faculty at Stella Adler Studio of Acting. He has also served as a lead coach with Prescott Circus Theater and The Children’s Circus of Middletown. Billy served in partnership with U.S. State Department as Cultural Ambassador as both act creation coach and featured clown with the international award winning Turkmen State Circus. He has also taught and as a featured guest performing artist at The University…
Letter from the Head Coach
Hello! My name is Doug Stewart and I’m thrilled, honored and extremely humbled to be taking on the role of Head Coach this summer at Smirkus Camp. My journey through the circus world started 10 years ago at Smirkus Camp. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate my 10th year of circus than returning to where it all started. For those who don’t know, here’s a little bit about me. When I was 10 years old I saw the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour for the first time and instantly became obsessed. After begging my parents, I got to run…
A Big Top Makes Space
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on the Vermont Arts Council website on May 9, 2019 and was written by Susan McDowell. “There truly is room for everyone under the big top.” Jennifer Carlo, executive director at Circus Smirkus posits that the history of the circus is a story of inclusion. “Circus really is all about celebrating differences and bringing it all into a cohesive whole.” Often performers excluded from more traditional art forms have been recognized and given a home. Circus, as she describes it, is built on “bringing different talents and different people together to create something that is just magical.” Jen…
The Smirkus Season Ahead
Now, where did that winter go? Honestly, no one in Vermont is really saying that… Winter was still with us last week! And if you walk into the woods around Smirkus’ World Headquarters, you’ll still find piles of snow and ice hiding in the shadows. Despite the long, cold winter, it seems like only yesterday that we were parking our unicycles, stowing the trapezes, and lowering the tents for the season. And yet, here we are again: ready to launch an exciting new season for both Smirkus Camp and the Big Top Tour! Smirkus Camp is in the midst of…
Meet Robin Allen LaPlante
Welcome to our new Camp Administrative Director, Robin Allen LaPlante. Robin has a background in performing arts marketing and production. She spent four years working at NPR’s “From the Top,” a classical music organization in Boston that produces the weekly NPR show featuring kids playing classical music. In that role, Robin managed the marketing, box office, and ticketing plans with presenters around the country. Robin is excited to be part of the Smirkus family and believes that “if you give kids access and opportunity to the things they are passionate about, they will use those things to make the world a…
VIDEO: Learn about the Stratton School Residency
Watch this video from ACMi News to learn all about our School Residency at the Stratton Elementary School in Arlington, MA: Find out how you can bring Smirkus to your school today!
We’re Glad You’re Part of the Family
It takes a lot to raise a circus kid. It takes a lot of time and resources and love and support. It takes the strength to believe in a child’s dreams and the persistence to help those dreams become reality. It takes an ability to encourage and challenge as needed, and the wisdom to know what balance is needed at any given time. And it helps to have a bit of whimsy and circus spirit yourself! Recently Judy Gaeth and I had the great opportunity to gather with a group of alumni parents in the Boston area. Since Circus Smirkus…