Letter from a Trouper: Theo LeBlanc

Author Archives: Circus Smirkus

Letter from a Trouper: Theo LeBlanc

Editor’s note: This post was written by Theo LeBlanc, 1st year trouper.  Before circus (B.C.) I did your typical after-school activities – soccer, baseball, and marching band.  I never really fit in or felt like I was in the right place. Around age 9, I started doing magic tricks for my friends and family.  Magic developed into a very fun hobby. After seeing one of my favorite magicians juggling knives, I decided juggling was the coolest thing ever.  My dad had some basic juggling skills and I asked him to teach me – I was hooked! One of my middle school friends did an…

Read More +

Glover Youth Joins Circus Smirkus

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Barton Chronicle on June 26, 2018 and was written by Joseph Gresser  Asom Hayman-Jones of Glover stood with a crowd of casually dressed troupers in the Circus Smirkus ring on June 21. The first performance of the 2018 season was a little more than a week away, and there was plenty of work left to do to get the show ready to go. The sides of the big tent, or more properly the top in the language of the circus, were rolled up to let in light and air. Mr. Hayman-Jones, taller than most of…

Read More +

Spice Up Your Summer with a Circus Celebration!

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Sentinel Source on June 29, 2018 and was written by Caroline Tremblay Grab your popcorn, take a seat and get ready to be dazzled by this year’s vaudeville-themed Circus Smirkus extravaganza! On Sunday and Monday, July 15 and 16, locals will flock to the Cheshire Fairgrounds for a Big Top experience like no other. With aerials, acrobatics, wire-walking, juggling, lively music and an array of brilliant costumes, this magical event is sure to awe audience members. Circus Smirkus’ performances in Swanzey are part of a 68-show tour across the Northeast, featuring top youth performers from…

Read More +

A Circus Smirkus Sneak Peak

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the The Valley Reporter on June 28, 2018 and was written by Katie Martin Circus Smirkus comes to The Valley next week with its new show Vaudeville and it promises to be an amazing event with extravagant and glorious costumes, stunning acrobatics and so much more. The Waitsfield Children’s Center hosts Circus Smirkus at Kenyon’s field in Waitsfield on July 2 and 3 with shows at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The event is Waitsfield Children’s Center’s primary fundraiser of the year. Recently, this reporter was able to attend a rehearsal at the Greensboro home…

Read More +

Finding Home at Circus Smirkus

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Arlington Advocate on June 7, 2018 and was written by Abbi Matheson. Some kids dream of running away and joining the circus. One Arlington resident did just that, but with less running away and more acrobatic flips. Glenn Doyle, 14, leaves on June 8 for the annual Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, which spans five states and almost two months. Doyle is an acrobat with Smirkus, but he also does some clowning and juggling. “I’m OK at partner acrobatics but I’m more of a person that likes to be thrown around and do flips…

Read More +

Opening June 29: Teaser Video

Watch a few moments behind the scenes as troupers prepare in the final week of rehearsals before opening show in Greensboro, VT on Friday June 29 – buy tickets here!  

Why Do You Love Smirkus Camp?

“Why do you love Smirkus camp?” I asked them, walking up to the campers in the middle of their afternoon activity. First I asked a young boy hanging upside down from a railing, then his friend watching eagerly from the side. “Because it’s awesome,” he said, running off for more fun before I could grab his name. “I just like circus. Aerials, juggling, unicycle, basically everything,” Ruby laughed, throwing her arms up to motion to the area around her. After just one day on the grounds, she was hooked. I looked to the left to find more campers, ones who weren’t…

Read More +

Smirkus A Family Affair for Newton residents

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Newton TAB on June 19, 2018 and was written by Nick Greenhalgh.  Whether you call them ‘Smirkos’ or troupers, jugglers or trapezists, or father and son, Vermont’s Circus Smirkus operates as a tightly knit circus family. In Newton, one family has taken the family atmosphere literally. When the Big Top Tour kicks off next week, 17-year-old Newton resident Chase Levy will be front and center. In his third year on tour, Chase will showcase his growing skills in partner acrobatics and diabolo, or chinese yo-yo. His father, Andrew, won’t be far off as he…

Read More +

Summer Starts with Smirklings

Smirkling Camp starts off the summer season

Editor’s Note: This post was written by Communications & Sales Associate Abbey Jermyn  Hello Smirkus World! After a week of orientation, the campers have finally arrived here for Smirkling Camp! This morning was filled with excited campers juggling for the first time, clowning around, trying out the trapeze, tumbling in the acrobatics tent, and so much more! Tomorrow is another jam-packed day full of circus fun, ending with an all-time camper favorite: PIE DAY! This Smirkus tradition involves campers throwing a pie into the face of a grown-up of their choice (can you tell why they love it?). I am always astounded by…

Read More +