Who’s Who: Smirkus Staff

Anchors Away for Atlantis! Smirkus ventures beneath the waves flooding the Big Top with maritime merriment. Fans under the tent are treated to a circus first with head rigger Cris Clark’s newly developed aerial boom, while fans in cyber-space pay a virtual visit to clown alley with Eva Sollberger’s “Stuck in Vermont.” Construction begins on a permanent home for Smirkus Camp right down the road from Circus Smirkus World HQ.

2013

The Troupers take fans somewhere over the rainbow with Oz Incorporated while Smirkus goes "Emerald", greening up and reducing the carbon footprint of our clown shoes. Cause for celebration includes a trouper designed shower house in partnership with Yestermorrow, a new pie car, and new midway and back lot tents. Graduating Smirkos continue their adventures with École Nationale de Cirque, Dans och Cirkushögskolan and Ringling Brothers.

2012

Circus Smirkus travels through time in more ways than one with Topsy Turvy Time Travel, our 25th Anniversary celebration and a beautiful commemorative book by Rob Mermin and Rob Gurwitt. Our 25th Anniversary alumni show and reunion celebration will not be forgotten for another 25 years.

2011

Smirkus’ makes news with Frontpage Follies as Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Dan Barry visits the Big Top Tour for The New York Times, and Smirkus is highlighted by the influential parenting blog CoolMomPicks.com. Our Residency Program reaches a record number of school children. Smirkus administrators initiate a cultural and artistic exchange with the National Circus School of Cuba. Smirkus documentary Circus Dreams wins awards at national and international film festivals!

2010

Hail to the Chief! Former US President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush take in Wilderness Wonders. Smirkus collaborates with the National Park Service to promote the joys of outdoor adventures. Teen Kids News introduces Smirkus to its 10 million viewers as “one of the nation’s most fun circuses!” Smirkus Camp welcomes kids from 24 states and seven countries and 15 other circus programs, including Brooklyn’s Cirque Du Monde, Indonesia’s Red Nose Circus, and Palestine’s Al Rowwad Cultural and Theatre Center in the Aida Refugee Camp.

2009

Juggling pigs, a witch on trapeze, three acrobatic bears and a host of magical characters draw a record number of “straw houses” (sold out shows) to Smirkus Ever After: A Big Top Fairytale. The editor of Spectacle magazine calls the show “the most successful and creative circus I have seen in a very long time.” The Vermont Arts Council highlights Smirkus School Residency programs as a way for kids to master learning strategies while having fun. Smirkus Summer Camp takes a final bow at Sterling College. Next stop, Lyndon Institute.

2008

EthioCircus and CirColumbia form new bonds with Smirkus for Smirkusology: A Science Extravaganza. Big Apple’s “Grandma,” Three Smirkos sign with Ringling Bros. Smirkus garners coverage from the AP, Fox, NPR and Reuters. Smirkus Camp lauded as a “model of safety” in How to Keep Your Children Safe: A Guide for Parents. Founder Rob Mermin honored with Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

2007

Audiences thrill with the swinging spy escapade,The Zoot Suit Caper. Four international troupers join the tour, from Colombia, France and Mongolia. Smirkus wins grants to provide over 20 free school residencies throughout Vermont.

2006

Smirkus kicks back on a Tropical Vacation as directors Troy Wunderle and Jesse Dryden make their debut. Circus Smirkus Camp welcomes kids from the Big Apple Circus after school programs in a first-ever collaboration between the downtown and hometown circus camps.

2005

Smirkus brings Pinocchio alive, in collaboration with the master puppeteers of Sandglass Theater. Miniature donkeys, Jiminy Cricket and Figaro, steal hearts at ringside. Smirkus Camp celebrates 15 years of allowing kids to run away and join the circus ... one week at a time.

2004

Smirkus catapults Through the Looking Glass. Volunteers for Peace join Smirkus with students from Spain, France, England and Poland.Smirkus featured on “The Martha Stewart Show.” Smirkus alumni gather for first professional gig — at Sea World in San Antonio, TX — as the featured stage show. Smirkus founder Rob Mermin receives Vermont Arts Council Award of Merit.

2003

The Legion of Laughter: Superheroes of Smirkopolis soars into action with directors of The Midnight Circus and performers from Sweden’s Youth Circus troupe “Cirkus and Variete.” Circus School Residency programs expand; Summer Camp adds Smirkling Camp and Family Camp sessions. Year-round staff grows to 15, seasonal staff to 100.

2002

Legends of the Wild West rides into town with a six- member bluegrass band, “First Nation” dancers and cowboy rope spinners from the Southwest. Smirkus Advance Camp creates a Road Show to tour hospitals and nursing homes. Smirkus alumni span the globe performing and teaching.

2001

Sci-Fi Smirkus: A Space Idiocy lands in 15 towns with 72 shows in 7 weeks. First appearance of the Chicago Boyz, and full collaboration with Chicago’s Midnight Circus. First Arab-Israeli circus kids from Jerusalem perform in the Smirkus tent; part of a joint peace program. Julia Child joins Honorary Smirkus Board of Directors after dining at the Smirkus “pie car.” Smirkos stand out at first festival of American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO). Smirkus invited back to the International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap.

2000

Voyage of the Pirate Queen storms New England with troupers from 5 countries and 7 states. IndoKids from Indonesia join the tour. Smirkus performs with Sesame Street’s Bob McGrath. Smirkus acclaimed “The United Nations of the Youth Circus World” at the International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The Disney Channel broadcasts “Totally Circus,” a 14-part Smirkus TV documentary, around the world. Vermont Chamber of Commerce names Smirkus one of “Mom’s Top Picks for Kids.”

1999

The Adventures of Robin Hood romps through Martha’s Vineyard and other New England villages. Entire summer filmed for the Disney Channel. Alberto Zoppe family from Italy joins the tour with Percheron horses. Marcel Marceau gives smashing benefit performance in the Smirkus tent. Smirko high wire walker wins place in Guinness Book of World Records. Hollywood producer Norman Lear brings friend Dom DeLuise to visit the tour.

1998

’50s Rock n’ Roll Tour rocks our new, 750-seat European Big Top! Troupers from the USA, Russia, Israel, Mongolia and China experience first exchange with the Wuqiao School and Chinese Acrobatic Arts Association. Troupers win “People’s Choice” Award at Swedish International Circus Festival. Smirkos perform with Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

1997

Tenth Anniversary Birthday Party Tour! plays 60 shows in 44 days in 18 towns throughout New England. Rob Mermin’s Circus Smirkus: A True Story of High Adventure and Low Comedy published, with foreword by Marcel Marceau. Smirkus wins “Bessie Award” for Excellence. Smirkus founder and coaches perform in “Festival of Circus” at Washington’s Kennedy Center.

1996

Lights, Action, Circus! — a ’20s-style “silent movie” tour. Smirkus again named “Top Ten Summer Event.” First troupers go pro with Ringling, Cirque du Soleil and European circuses. First Smirko Rhodes Scholar. Playwright David Mamet drops by.

1995

Class Clowns includes guest performers from Russia, Mongolia and Hungary. First exchange with Budapest Circus School. Founder Rob Mermin appointed Director of Ringling Bros. Clown College. Two Smirkos graduate the college and win contracts with Ringling Bros.

1994

'94 Houdini Lives! features guest artists from Russia and Mongolia. Smirkus featured in Chronicle of Philanthropy. Smirkus 1993 show video receives Dove Foundation Award for Family Values. FamilyFun magazine rates Smirkus as one of “America’s Best Circuses. ” Actor Michael J. Fox visits the tour.

1993

'93 The Princess Who Wouldn’t Laugh is Smirkus’ first “story circus,” featuring classical music, Russian artists and 10 Native American performers (in collaboration with Ringling Bros.). Vermont Chamber of Commerce names Smirkus a “Top Ten Summer Event.” Cover story in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine.

1992

'92 East Meets West Meets East, with guest performers from Russia, Moldova and Kazakhstan, plus 12 teens from California’s Great Y Circus. Smirkus receives Vermont Arts Council Award of Excellence.

1991

'91 The Toy Circus tour is first circus ever on Nantucket Island, and includes Latvian Youth Circus and Moscow Circus members. Smirkus co-produces Soviet/ American Youth Circus-on-Ice in winter. Russian and American coaches begin long collaboration.

1990

'90 The Magician’s Apprentice marks historic collaboration with Moscow Circus School, leading to Soviet/American Youth Circus joint tours (3 weeks in Russia/ 3 weeks in New England), awards at International Festival on the Black Sea, and performances in Yaroslavl and Moscow. Coverage in Scholastic News and Sesame Street’s Kid City magazines, and on network TV. Smirkus Summer Camp begins.

1989

'89 Running Home to the Circus tour reaches Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. First collaboration with Project Harmony; guest troupe from Tblisi, Georgia, USSR. Coverage in Yankee and People.

1988

'88 Smirkus hits the road for statewide summer tour: 28 shows, 11 towns, 3 weeks. Coverage in USA Today. Smirkus coaches begin 12-year stint creating an outdoor circus in Connecticut every fall. Winter school residencies begin.

1987

'87 Rob Mermin founds Circus Smirkus in 150-year-old farmhouse in Greensboro, VT. “First Vermont-based traveling circus in over 100 years”(Boston Globe). Tour: one week! Media coverage in The New York Times. Vermont cows bemused by all the commotion.