Author Archives: Circus Smirkus
Wesley Williams: Emerging Circus Star at 19
Watch a video below created by circus enthusiast Lane Talburt. Watch this video about 19 year old Wesley Williams, who is taking unicycling to new heights and getting national acclaim along the way. Also called “The One Wheel Wonder”, Williams was a Big Top Tour trouper from 2013-2015, and also competed on America’s Got Talent in 2015. In this new YouTube video from Lane Talburt, learn more about Williams and how his early experiences with Smirkus shaped his understanding of circus life and helped him launch a successful circus career.
Circus Smirkus: A Life-Shaping Experience
Watch a video below created by circus enthusiast Lane Talburt. With generous infusions of comedy and teamwork, “Midnight at the Museum” showcases the talents of 30 troupers in this life-changing professional youth circus during Circus Smirkus’ 30th anniversary tour in the Summer of 2017. Lane Talburt interviews troupe members and key staffers on this big top production.
In Memoriam: Toby Schwartz
Rest in Peace, Toby Schwartz. For anyone that didn’t know Toby, she was an avid Smirkus fan from the very beginning. Along with her husband Hank, Toby typically attended 15-20 Big Top Tour shows each year. The couple had their favorite seats in the tent and everyone on the set knew where they were by hearing their familiar laughs, shouts of encouragement to the troupers, and notable ill-timed clapping! Each summer the Smirkus Troupers were invited into their home on a jump day to eat more Ben & Jerry’s ice cream than humanly possible, gorge themselves on home-baked goods, eat an overflowing bounty of fruit, swim in…
Study: Circus Arts Improve Student Learning Skills
The results of a year-long education study are in, and show that integrating the circus arts into K-12 education can improve student performance. Nationwide, circus programs improved social and emotional learning skills in all areas measured. Conducted by the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, the study observed children in school residency programs offered by Circus Smirkus and seven other circus arts providers across America. The study asked a simple question: Do the circus arts improve Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills in schools? “Circus arts delivered results measurably better than the comparison group composed of a wide range of school arts and sports activities.” The answer is…
The 2017 Big Top Tour Finale
Watch a video below of the final bows of the 2017 Big Top Tour Finale, including remarks from founder Rob Mermin and longtime executive director Ed LeClair. Circus Smirkus has had the privilege of having Ed LeClair as the Executive Director for the last 14 years. At the end of the year, Ed will retire, leaving large clown shoes to fill! If you’ve never met Ed, his passion and dedication to the organization is palpable. As Ed says,”the function of circus is to astound and amaze.” What’s also amazing is that Ed put the “function” in Circus Smirkus — creating…
Troy and Sara Wunderle Discover Circus Smirkus
2017 marks the 30th Anniversary of Circus Smirkus, and also 20th Anniversary of Troy and Sara Wunderle’s marriage and their start at Circus Smirkus. You might know him today as the Artistic Director of the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, but Troy joined Smirkus after a season of touring with Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1997, helping Rob Mermin with residencies in schools during the off-season and serving as an all-around assistant in the summer at camp and tour. Sara started her Smirkus journey as head counselor at camp and then eventually found herself as head concessionaire…
2017 Big Top Tour DVD Available
Watch the trailer below and purchase your DVD copy today! Enjoy the 30th Anniversary Big Top Tour with the 2017 Midnight at the Museum DVD—a wild and wonderful adventure through the hallowed halls of a magical museum! Embark on an enchanted journey with astonishing aerialists, courageous clowns, and wily wirewalkers as they explore a museum that springs to life when the clock strikes midnight. Whether you missed the Big Top Tour this summer or want to relive the magic, it’s time to purchase your copy of Midnight at the Museum on DVD, filmed in Waltham, MA at Gore Place, by…
My Experience at Adult Camp
Watch a short video about Adult Camp, and then read a post below by adult camper Kathryn Sarken By Kathryn Sarken, Adult Camper We arrived at Big Kid Camp with pillows and sleeping bags and circus dreams. Some of us had never tried circus, others were looking forward to their first time (ever!) at overnight camp. As a returning camper, I was eager to get back into the tents, to see friends from last summer, to meet new people, and to experience again the magic of Smirkus Camp. We got our circus activities rolling… with forward and backward rolls! From…
How Circus Smirkus Helps Schools Fundraise
Have you ever thought of being a presenter for Circus Smirkus? Our diverse family of presenters include many non-profit organizations and schools, who raise significant funds to supplement their annual budgets. We have presenters who consistently raise over $20K each year by bringing the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour to their communities. Watch this video by WCSH6 of Portland, Maine to see how students in Kennebunkport helped raise money for their school with Circus Smirkus. Editors note: This article is by Robert Nesbitt of WCSH6 of Portland, Maine and was originally published there on September 6, 2017 Kennebunkport Students Compete For…
Melrose 12-year-old performs in youth circus
Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Melrose Free Press on August 29, 2017 and was written by Conor Powers-Smith. Childhood may have changed dramatically in recent generations, but some things remain the same, among them the cherished dream of running away to join the circus. As 12-year-old Melrose resident Eva Lou Rhinelander discovered last year, that goal is not only within reach, but within easy driving distance. Rhinelander just wrapped up her second summer with Circus Smirkus, the Greensboro, Vt.-based youth circus that attracts child performers from across the country. She and a friend were the youngest performers in both 2016 and…