Tag Archives
A “Rest” Day!
Dear Smirkus Family, Yesterday was a day off for the Troupers, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they lounged around. After breakfast, we piled into the Smirkus vans and headed down the winding country roads to our first stop of the day, the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vermont. Here we sampled apple goodies, tasted cider and munched on cider donuts. And of course, because yesterday was World Juggling Day, a couple of Troupers juggled apples. After that, we headed down the road to Ben and Jerry’s for ice cream. After an “udderly” pun-filled tour, we…
Welcome to the Mud Show!
Today at the Circus Barn, we’re bringing meaning back to the phrase “mud show.” A mud show was traditionally a show that travelled by horse and wagon from town to town and referred to the muddy roads travelled on. Today, the Troupers tromp up and down the muddy road to and from class bundled from head to toe in rain gear. Inside the tents, the wind whistles and the canvas ebbs and flows with each gust of wind. Overhead, the droplets of rain pitter-patter as they bounce off the top and drip down the sides. In the distance, the steady,…
Of Gnomes and Clowns
Hello Family, Last night at Council we were lucky enough to have two incredibly special guests join us. The first was a little man with a round face and a pointed green hat: a bobble-headed garden gnome. For many years, a gnome named Lorenzo guarded the Circus Barn. Unfortunately, there are only so many times a porcelain gnome can be hot-glued back together and as head counselor Dani Kehlmann put it, Lorenzo was quite literally “loved to pieces.” Feeling the hole left from the loss of Lorenzo, Zed Fatka, Maintenance and Facilities Manager, took on the task of getting a…
In Anticipation…
Hello Family, Today I had the pleasure of watching as casting decisions were announced. Before you’re too far into this post though, please realize that some of it has been left purposefully vague. Titles of acts are kept a surprise to add an element of mystique for you. However, even without these details, I hope that you will be able to imagine yourself sitting cross-legged on the well-worn floor of the Circus Barn studio- breathing in the sweet scent of warm wood with a hint of dust that has accumulated from years of classes and movie nights. You sit in…
The Migration Home
From the moment my alarm went off yesterday morning, I could feel that it would be a good day. The sun was shining, the Troupers were to be arriving late in the afternoon, excitement was in the air! Carefully, so as not to fall onto LeeAnne Brown, the Production Intern who sleeps in the bed beneath me, I climbed out of my top bunk perch. By the time the breakfast bell chimed at 8am, I was showered, dressed and ready to go. Morning flew by with tour staff bustling around in every direction prepping and handling last minute details. Then…
Rain and Rainbows
Hello Smirkus Family! Before we dive feet first into the waters of Smirkus, let me tell a little about myself. I’m Emma Behrens, Marketing and PR Assistant for the Big Top Tour this summer. I was raised not far from the Circus Barn (located in Greensboro, Vermont) in the tiny town of Strafford. Having grown up nearby, I’m very familiar with the pristine rolling hills and welcoming atmosphere Vermont offers. Though I’m a Vermonter through and through, I’ve spent the past two years at Ithaca College in upstate New York where I am majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications and minoring…
There’s No Place Like Greensboro…: Monday, August 19th
We’ve come, it seems, full circle. After a record-setting two and a half hour tear-down in Hanover, New Hampshire, it was time for Smirkus to head back to Vermont. But Vermont holds more than maple syrup and green mountains – it is Smirkus’s home. Smirkus has been going to Montpelier for 26 consecutive years, and after being there for six shows in three days it’s easy to see why we keep going back – the crowds were enthusiastic, with many shows selling out! Not to mention, there’s plenty to do and see in town, which is just a few blocks…
Clowning and Juggling and Aerials… Oh My!- Tuesday, August 13th
Although it’s been over two months since we all got to Greensboro, time has flown so fast that it feels like it was just yesterday. After four consecutive sold-out shows in Freeport, Maine, it was time to make our way to Hanover, New Hampshire. It was a long drive – about three hours – but soon enough we had arrived and the lot was set up. That night, a successful jump was celebrated with homemade pizza at the outdoor community pizza oven in nearby Norwich, Vermont! Any chance to hang out as a big group off-site is always a lot…
Click Your Heels- Thursday, August 8th
Just a few days after Oz Incorporated was in Kennebunkport, we were back up in Maine with four shows at the Merriconeag Waldorf School in Freeport. One of the first things I saw upon arriving on site was a swingset and set of monkey bars – right away i had a feeling that Freeport was going to be fun. The Troupers arrived on-site Monday morning to set up the ring and backstage tent before the show at 1pm. Once everything was set up, a few Troupers gathered in the school’s auditorium to practice their skills: Eyal, Wesley, and Bekk…
See You Down the Yellow Brick Road- Monday, August 5th
Time has begun to pass by at a faster pace the longer we have been on tour. I’ve grown accustomed to the early mornings on jump days and the late nights on load-out days, and I’ve come to treasure the special moments – whether it’s a conversation with a Trouper or fellow staff member over a cup of coffee from the pie car, or seeing a Trouper perfect the double back-flip they’ve been working on, I feel so lucky to be a part of all of this. After Kennebunkport, it was back to Massachusetts for four shows at Manter Field…