When it Rains…
…it pours! Essex welcomed us with open arms — and six sold-out shows! Our gleeful audiences packed the Big Top and were enthusiastic throughout both shows. The performances are much tighter and smoother with each show. It will be amazing to see the difference between our current show and the performance at the end of the season. It was balmy and sunny when our first performance began. Fox 44 meteorologist Steve Glazier interviewed troupers Maia Gawor-Sloane and Al Mireault for a feature on Smirkus which was broadcast last night on ABC-22. Check out the story and video here! During the…
“STRAW HOUSES” IN ESSEX
In circus lingo, a “straw house” is a sold-out show, so-called because the ushers would spread straw for people to sit on in front of the general admissions seats in an attempt to squeeze in a few more audience members. We launched our 2011 Big Top Tour with a “straw house” in Greensboro, and just got the word this morning that all tickets for all six shows at our current location, at Champlain Valley Expo in Essex, VT, are SOLD! This is great news for our young performers, who deserve a packed house, but it is always hard to turn…
Load-Out, Jump, Load-In
The final bars of the vibrant finale music were just fading from the Big Top after the first shows in Greensboro on Sunday night, when the members of the Smirkus tent crew began the process known as “tear-down.” The sidewalls of the Big Top came down: the first step in a long process of dismantling the tent and packing up everything to move to the next town — Essex, Vermont. After the crowds left the grounds, “load-out” went into full swing. First, all of the novelties and food items from the two concessions tents were carefully packed into bins, road cases,…
Sold Out Opening!
Hey everyone! Happy Independence Day!!! Our staff and troupers have worked tireless hours putting together this beast we know as the Smirkus Big Top Tour. Yesterday we kicked off the season to full houses. The high energy the audiences brought into the tent combined with the enthusiasm and excitement from the troupers and the upbeat, and vibrant tunes from Tristan Moore and Parker Bert made for a thrilling show. The hard work has just begun, however. After the show, the crew began to tear down the tent in preparation for today’s “jump” to Essex, Vermont. Tomorrow I will let you…
SHOW TIME!
Photo by Alex Zaprudsky Creative Director Jesse Dryden hoarsely exhorted the troupe to repeat some steps “Again! Again! Again!” Artistic Director Troy Wunderle and his daughter, Ariana, rehearsed a slapstick fall. Trouper Magnus Gaiever practices a mincing walk for a clown gag as juggling coach Tyler Parks, suggesting sound effects. Lighting director Tim Cryan tweaked the color of the spotlight. Just some of the hundreds of moments from yesterday’s dress rehearsal. Make that rehearsals. There were two of them. Yes, they were a bit rough. Yes, gags and acts and transition bits had to be repeated (“Again! Again! Again!”) until…
The Hard Work Paid Off
Music was blaring, acrobats were flying, and the buzz of excitement filled the air at the Smirkus Headquarters yesterday. The troupers performed the entire show during their “Stumble-Through” rehearsal. “Frontpage Follies” is about to hit the newsstands and fly off the shelves! The troupers and staff at Smirkus are the hardest-working, most efficient folks I have ever worked with. Time moves quickly here in Greensboro and I tend to forget that merely three weeks ago, the troupers were green performers; some of whom never performed in the ring before — and now, less than a month later are stars under…
We’re Two Days Out!
Our Tour opening is TWO days away, folks! The 1 pm show on Sunday is close to selling out; but there are still tickets for the 6 pm. Don’t risk being turned away at the box office – buy your tickets in advance here. It turns out that what seemed to be hectic days of intensive training were actually relatively low-key. The pressure is definitely on. Troupers who once practiced different skills and moves for acts are now putting it all together, to live music. The smells of cotton candy and popcorn are beginning to fill the air. Props are…
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Noelle for winning the “4,000 Facebook Fans Celebration Giveaway” Contest! Enjoy the show!
We’re Live in 3… 2… 1…
Wednesday was a very exciting day for Circus Smirkus! WCAX–TV 3 in Burlington, VT, did a five-minute live broadcast on “The :30” promoting the 2011 Big Top Tour. Two of our troupers — Sonya Gurwitt, Norwich, VT, and Noah Nielsen, Montpelier, VT — performed some of their circus skills and were interviewed about their experience with Smirkus. Noah performed a diabolo routine and Sonya stretched and contorted to delight the show’s audience. Host, Mike McCune, even showed off his juggling skills at the end of the interview. Our troupers did a fantastic job of representing our show and themselves with…
A Life Based in Tradition
As Marialisa explained yesterday, Circus Smirkus thrives on its traditions. This connection to the past; however, is not exclusive to Smirkus. In fact, circuses live off their brilliant backstories, rich traditions, and in some cases superstitions. Here’s a peek at some ongoing circus lore. Facing the Ring from the Curb Circus performers never sit on the ring curb facing outward. This tradition is a tribute to pay respect to the performance space by facing toward it when sitting and watching in the ring. Pie-in-your-Face Birthday Circus clowns celebrate birthdays by pie-ing the birthday boy or girl in the face. In…