Meet the 2025 Big Top Tour Troupers!
Are you ready to meet the 2025 Big Top Tour troupers? Congratulations to these 30 young circus artists ages 12-18 who will perform across New England this summer! Tickets go on sale May 1! For more information, visit smirkus.org/about-big-top-tour/.
Meet the 2024 Big Top Tour Troupers!
Are you ready to meet the 2024 Big Top Tour troupers? Congratulations to these 30 young circus artists ages 11-18 who will perform across New England this summer! Tickets go on sale May 1! For more information, visit smirkus.org/about-big-top-tour/.
Meet the 2024 Big Top Tour Directors
Step into a world of whimsy and wonder, as Circus Smirkus celebrates playfulness, discovery, and childlike curiosity with the 2024 Big Top Tour: The Imaginarium. A magical toy shop comes to life with tumbling teddy bears, high-flying marionettes, and a very mischievous Jack-in-the-Box, in this awe-inspiring and laughter-filled production. This year’s show will be co-directed by Smirkus alum, clown, and director Joshua Shack, and Julie Jenkins, former Smirkus coach and show director (2003 & 2004) and Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago-based Midnight Circus. About Josh Joshua Shack decided to become a clown when he was just three years…
Do You Want to Apply for Circus Smirkus?
Our troupers share why you should audition! Applications are now open for the 2024 Big Top Tour and for Smirkus Camps requiring placement: Intermediate Skills Intensive, Advanced Camp and Road Show. The Big Top Tour application is due November 1. Smirkus Camp applications are on a rolling, first come, first serve basis. We hope to see you next summer! For more information about auditions, visit smirkus.org/auditions/.
NBC Visits Circus Smirkus
Watch this video of NBC Nightly News Kids Edition with Lester Holt: The NBC Nightly News team came to visit Circus Smirkus in Greensboro, VT. Reporter Kristen Dahlgren got to know our troupers, watched the show and met with Interim Co-Executive Directors Josh Shack and Rachel Schiffer. You can watch the episode above. For more information about the Big Top Tour or Smirkus Camp, visit smirkus.org.
Watch the 2023 Smirk-o-Thon!
Watch this video of our 2023 Smirk-o-Thon: On July 28, we hosted a live stream of our 2023 Smirk-o-thon Fundraiser where our troupers and alumni competed in circus contests of skill and endurance (with lots of fun sprinkled in), hosted by Big Top Tour alum and coach Patrick Tobin and alum Sarah Tiffin! You can still donate to help us meet our goal of raising $10,000 to support the programs and mission of Smirkus and create life-changing experiences of memories, friendships, and a summer of success under the Big Top! Donate here!
Watch the 2023 Big Top Tour Trailer!
Watch this video trailer of the 2023 Big Top Tour: The 2023 Big Top Tour: A Midsummer Night’s Circus is on the road! Check out this trailer created by trouper Ian Kent and you’ll see what the show is all about. We’d love to see you at a show this summer. The tour travels all over New England from July 1 – August 19. The schedule and tickets are available at smirkus.org/about-big-top-tour/
Circus Smirkus Works its Big Top Magic at Farr’s Field
Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Waterbury Roundabout on July 9, 2023 and was written by by Olivia Conti and Sadie Ensana with photos by Gordon Miller As performers wearing colorful costumes entered the Circus Smirkus ring, they captured the gaze of wide-eyed children among the 750 audience members seated under the big top tent on a hot July afternoon. Performers Avery Steere and Cora Williams playing the roles of a king and queen effortlessly and elegantly rode unicycles as audience members’ eyes followed them in circles. Although this was Waterbury’s first year hosting the Vermont-grown youth circus, ticket sales were…
Opening and Our First Jump!
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Tour Communications Associate June Mello The time since our last update has been full to the gills with activity, as well as new experiences and fun. After concluding the final week of creation, we opened the touring season with two shows on July 1st at our home base in Greensboro. Both shows were sold out and we had some press coverage that day as well. The troupers did an amazing job, and it was great to see all the work they had done come together at last. But there was no time to rest! Immediately after the…
Circus Smirkus Rolls into Three County Fairgrounds
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on MassLive.com on July 6, 2023 and was written by Keith O’Connor Photo by Justin Miel Eva Lou Rhinelander loves clowning around. But even more, she likes wrapping herself up into all sorts of contortions, not to mention going round-and-round with the hula hoop. Rhinelander, 18, who hails from Melrose, is one of the many young stars of Circus Smirkus, which rolls into the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton on Saturday and Sunday. Showtimes are Saturday at 1 and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This year’s tour continues the tradition of Smirkus’…