Tag Archives
Houston, we have a staff.
Big things are happening here at Camp, friends! Did you hear that the staff is here? THE STAFF IS HERE! We had assembled little by little over the past few weeks but on Sunday we all officially landed for our week of training and orientating. Done your typical get-to-know-you games, learning about our stances on Harry Potter and such. We had a glorious hike on Beeler Mountain with some spectacular views. Not that it’s been all work though, we’ve had some time to get to know each other as well, walks to Willey’s and enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings and…
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…
Signs Point to Smirkus
The signs of the season are all around us. The grass is liberated from its icy white sleep, the leaves have begun to reach for the sun, a warm wind brings the air of summer, and Circus Smirkus is up and running again. Yes, perhaps my favorite sign of the summer is the white and blue tents that dot the various skylines of New England. I’m Aaron, the PR Intern at Smirkus Camp this summer; a Smirkus super-fan, I’ve seen the Smirkus tour every year since 2000. I was five when I discovered Smirkus, my mom took me a town…
Sailing Into the Sunset
Dear Smirkus Family, The final few days in Greensboro flew by, and suddenly the time has come for me to head home. Three weeks of pre-tour and seven weeks on the road all blurred into one fantastic dream. I wrote this sitting on the porch of the barn, surrounded by Troupers giving final hugs before they departed. Some barely noticed their parents arrival, so absorbed in their last moments together for summer. Smirkus is much more than a place, it’s a feeling that takes over you. It’s joy and exhaustion; it’s dedication and love. Most importantly though, it’s something that…
How the Circus Leaves
Today marks our last day of shows. It’s bittersweet, looking back on how far we have come. There are so many memories to cherish from the summer and yet, the Big Top Tour 2014 is coming to a close. Today is full of laughs, smiles, tears, and hugs (mostly hugs!) as Troupers and staff reminisce. Below is a poem that Counselor Andrew wrote while on tour. And remember: live in the moment! -Emma How the Circus Leaves It was July 4th when I missed the circus. Alone on a Diamond bike I arrived; sweaty & a geode, shining. With steely grips they rolled up the big…
Behind the Scenes: Jeff Maynard
Our final Jump Day began with a rousing version of “When the Saints Come Marching In,” played by staff members parading around the bunk trailers with accordions, trumpets, drums, kazoos, and all sorts of other instruments. We coiled our muddy cables and started off towards home, the Circus Barn in Greensboro, Vermont. After driving just over an hour, we made the turn onto Circus Road! Car horns honked in excitement. People audibly sighed as they breathed in the icy Vermont air. A small group gathered in the wooden chairs on the porch. Though it had been almost two months since…
Families that Play Together Stay Together!
Mid-morning yesterday, everyone gathered on the lawn in front of the Pie Car for the annual Staff-Trouper Kickball Game. The sun beamed down on the sunny diamond behind Montpelier High School and dust swirled with every step as the staff took the field and Troupers lined up to kick. With limited coordination and boundless enthusiasm, the game began. There were no “3 strikes you’re out” type of rules, and the game involved as much cheering and jeering as actual kicking and running. Some kicks resulted in home-runs and yet, some innings ended after the first three kicks in a row…
STEP RIGHT UP, ONE FLIGHT UP!
Hello Smirkus Family! Today I have an incredibly special post for you all. It is a poem written by one of our tent crew, Brian Rodriguez Redmond. Brian is Seat Boss, meaning he is responsible for the assembly and disassembly of the bleachers that you sit on when you come to see a Smirkus show, but he is also a poet, an artist and so much more! Brian would love to hear your wildest, most fantastic ideas for circus acts, real or impossible, in the comments section! Enjoy, Emma STEP RIGHT UP, ONE FLIGHT UP! “Three thimbles full!” No more no less…
Circus, Circus Everywhere
To the staff, jump days are times to move ahead to set up the next site, but to Troupers, they are the rare times they get to enjoy summer as normal kids. Each jump day is started by gathering in the place where the ring used to rest. Troupers hold hands in a circle, and learn about the coming jump. General announcements are made, home-stays are announced, and then, a Trouper will reflect on tour. They contemplate where they have come from and where they will go. They appreciate the moment. On past jumps, Troupers have swam in rivers, explored Boston, and…
Inside the Pie Car
What has four wheels and makes 19 thousand meals a summer? If you answered the Pie Car, you’d be correct! The Pie Car is a very special vehicle that travels with us on tour because it makes all of our food. The term “Pie Car” is used throughout the circus world referring to where food is cooked! It’s 6am and Cook Clark is up. He downs some coffee, blasts a little music and begins the day. Breakfast feeds all of the tour staff and generally consists of something like this: scones with homemade, candied orange peel, stove top oatmeal, bacon, sausage, and…