Tag Archives
Behind the Scenes: Elizabeth Stubbs Part 2!
Here is the second part of a look into the life of one of our concessionaires! -Emma “We moved into a tiny bunk in one of four trailers. Our room was about the size of an average bathroom, with 2 bunks, up and down, and a tiny closet. It was crowded, but comfortable enough. That first night I was surprised by the motion of the trailer every time someone moved around. After a few days that became my method of ascertaining whether my neighbors were home. It was beautiful at the barn. There were fireflies at night and a hummingbird…
Behind the Scenes: Elizabeth Stubbs
Hello All! This week I have the pleasure of sharing a post by Elizabeth Stubbs. Elizabeth is a Smirkus fan, friend, former Trouper parent AND concessionaire (and also an all around lovely person)! Here she’ll share her path to becoming a Smirkus concessionaire and give you a little look into what she does behind the scenes. She’s done so much with Smirkus over the years that there was no possible way to fit it all into one blog post. Instead, Elizabeth’s story will be shared over two posts! Hope you are all having a lovely summer, Emma “Evolution of a Concessionaire…
What a Special Day!
Dear Smirkus Family, Today was a special day for so many reasons! First off, we’re in beautiful Saratoga Springs, NY with gorgeous weather. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing many Big Top Tour alumni who stopped by to see the show and say hello. More than that though, it’s Smirko Sarah’s birthday! As a fourth year trouper, she was well aware that this meant a pie to the face as per circus tradition. Troy Wunderle, Artistic Director, knew that she was prepared for a pie and took great joy in setting up fake situations all day long to make her…
Seven Circusy Supersitions
Every profession, including circus, has its own superstitions. They were perhaps based in logic once, but now have become engrained in the lives of performers and have stood the test of time. The staff here at Smirkus come from a variety of backgrounds, many having also worked with other circuses. We have people who have worked with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, the Big Apple Circus, and Cirque du Soleil, just to name a few. Talking with some of these people, I’ve put together a list of common circus lore! Seven Circusy Superstitions Never sit with your back to…
No Matter the Weather
Circus life is always moving, always changing. The weather doesn’t seem to stay the same for very long, either! In St. Johnsbury, Vermont, we were welcomed with a heat wave. Before the shows, the Troupers sat on the ground in front of fans as they did their make-up, hoping that the slight movement of the air would cool them down. Outside, little kids ran through “Mr. Mister,” an arched trellis that gently misted them with water offering a much needed relief to the heat. At the very top of the Chapiteau, sprinklers danced back and forth spraying cool water over…
Down the Road!
Hello Smirkus Family, It’s been a few days and, in that time, so many exciting things have happened! I woke Sunday morning to music blaring out of Trailerville, the bunks in Greensboro where the Troupers live during training. But now, training was over. Classes and rehearsals came to a close. It was showtime! Following an early lunch, everyone began readying themselves. There were props to place, costumes to change into and clown noses to put on! Meanwhile, in Millie the front-of-house tent, concessionaires were adding finishing touches to their beautiful displays. At noon, the ticket-booth opened and families began to…
As Opening Approaches…
Dear Smirkus family, The hum of the show music drifts through my window as I write this. Crisp sunlight glistens off the wet grass. It’s been a little while since I’ve blogged and for that, I apologize. Things have been so exciting around here, but it’s been a little difficult to find a moment to sit and write. Everyone has been doing their part to get ready for opening day, Sunday! One cool thing that I’ve noticed at Smirkus is how willing everyone is to lend a hand to each other. Just last night, several Troupers gathered to help Patsy…
Behind the Scenes: Alisan Funk
Hello all, This summer we’re going to be highlighting work from all across the circus lot with guest blog posts by coaches, tent crew, the pie car and more. I hope you enjoy our first guest writer, Alisan Funk, our head aerial coach! -Emma “They arrive for rehearsal. I assess – how bright are their eyes? Are they attentive, hungry for the next piece of the puzzle? Or are they crumbling under the heat/cold/ rain/fatigue? Are they focused? I need to decide if pushing them today will lead to confidence, endurance and skill, or if it will risk an injury….
Lighting the Night!
Hello Smirkus Family, Today the Troupers added evening rehearsals in addition to all of their day classes. However, believe it or not, this post isn’t about how hard Troupers have been training (though they are training incredibly hard) but rather the scoop on a behind the scenes thing that you might not otherwise get to see: lighting. Lighting illuminates the dark, directs focus, and can change the whole mood of a tent. Yet, with troupers training in the Chapiteau from early morning through to the night, it can be difficult to find a time to get the lights set up….
A Smirkusbord Celebration
While a “smörgåsbord” is a Scandinavian name for a buffet with lots of dishes, or a large mixture of many different things, a “smirkusbord” is the name of our first ever Smirkus-wide summer kick off. On a warm Monday evening, we gathered at the new Smirkus Camp site on Breezy Avenue in Greensboro, Vermont. The farmhouse, barn and 30 acres, with its mazing hallways, hidden stairs and spectacular view, will become the permanent home of Smirkus Camp! The whole Smirkus company came together in celebration of another summer of Smirkus and in appreciation of all that makes Smirkus Smirkus. And what better a place…