Circus Summer Fun
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, It is a hot day here for our first show in Northampton, MA. We’ve had a series of two day stops on tour so our staff and Troupers are looking forward to a leisurely three day, five show stop here. The kids hung out Trouper Cameron Zweir’s house today where they swam, watched movies, and partook of brownie Sundays, generally making everyone here on lot setting up extremely jealous. With the exception of the ladies on staff who had Ladies Night at the batting cages and minnie golf the night before. We’ve got a busy…
The Circus is Green and Growing
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, It has been a hot couple days here on tour. We made the jump from Hanover and are in Saratoga Springs, New York until Sunday. Our staff and Troupers have been keeping cool with ice backstage, swimming in the Connecticut River, and surprise popsicles from the counselors. Julie, one of our concessionaires making a fairy garden by the Connecticut River. One of the most interesting parts about watching a show run for so long is watching it evolve as time goes on. Small changes are made based on how audiences react to humor, the timing…
Rope Climbing and Little Sugar
As I’m writing this, we’ve finished setting up in St. Johnsbury. We said goodbye to Essex Junction and a packed house on Thursday and we’re hoping to get more of the same here in St. Johnsbury. So much has happened in the last few days so I’ll try my best to get you caught up. We had local 22 and 44 come to the lot early last Tuesday so we could be a part of their morning show. We introduced host Alaina Pinto to all things circus including clowning, juggling, and lyra work. She saw a preview of our penny-farthing and…
Untitled
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, Two shows down, sixty-four to go folks! We opened tour at our home in Greensboro to some enthusiastic crowds on Saturday before speeding off to Essex Junction for our next six shows from the 28th to the 30th. If I haven’t mentioned before, I’m not a circus performer. But believe me when I say, that these kids do things that are astounding. I remember watching part of dress rehearsal only a few days ago and starting to tear up. What this crew accomplishes in such a short time is both delightful and humbling. Click to view slideshow….
Long Summer Days
The days are long here on Circus Road but never boring.We have just six days until opening as of the time this post is being written. Practices are down to 20 minutes each with the focus on perfecting what have become completed acts. We had our Banquet last night where the Pie Car shows off their culinary skills and the rest of us reap the benefits. Pie Boss Andrew announcing dinner. After that the Troupers said their thanks to their coaches – most of whom will be leaving before we go on tour – as well as the rest of…
Heating Up
Dear Smirkus Friends and Family, It’s been cold here in Greensboro for the Trouper’s first week but things are quickly heating up for the Big Top Tour. We are 13 days away from opening as of today, Sunday 12th. Every day gets busier but the Troupers have persevered through the cold and have been hard at work rehearsing their skills. It’s not all hard work though. The Troupers had a bonfire complete with s’mores earlier in the week. We had a silent movie night on Thursday where Greg Desanto, one of our clown coaches, taught the Troupers about a few famous clowns…
Yokefellows
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, Greetings from Keene, NH! We arrived in our sister state July, 10 and played six wonderful shows in Hanover, NH at the Fullington Farm Field. We had so many great Smirko family members, alumni, volunteers and board members that made this show special and I would like to take a minute to thank them. First, thank you to our incredible Hanover team of volunteers who poster, flyer, recruit volunteers and recruit homestays made up of Tamra Biedrzycki (parent of Trouper Dylan Biedrzycki) Rob Gurwitt and Karen Harris (parents of former Troupers Sam and Sonya Gurwitt)…
On The Road Again
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, Well, we are on the road again! We have just bid adieu to St. Johnsbury and are enroute to our next tour stop, Hanover, NH. But we can’t go down the road without filling you in on all the excitement and fun that was had in good ‘ole St. J. We had four fantastic shows and the crowds were phenomenal! Thanks to all of you who attended and speaking of attendance, special shout outs to Alla Youdina, former Circus Smirkus coach who attended the July, 8 Matinee, our very own Circus Smirkus Camp, as well…
Sunshine
Dear Smirkus Friends and Family, After a rainy day of set-up upon our arrival to Saratoga Springs, NY, Sunday, July 4, 2015, we have basked in beautiful sunshine for our two days of shows. The Tent Crew worked tirelessly to set up the lot and per usual everyone pitched in to make the magic happen for our second jump (what we call moving from one tent site to the next). Our presenting organization, the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, have been so welcoming and even provided pizza for the crew after our final show! The crew and I would like…
Goodbye Greensboro, Hello Essex Junction
Dear Smirkus Friends and Family, What an exciting weekend and start to a week! Sunday, June 28, we opened our 2015 Big Top Tour, Bon Appétit! with a bang and a packed house. The hard work Troupers, Coaches, Directors and support staff put in during rehearsals really shined through and what an extravaganza of wonder and whimsy the entire day was! I could go on and on, but instead here are my favorite shots from the show! I hope this little taste has you hungry for more when Bon Appétit! comes to a town near you! …