Born To Perform

Circus Smirkus provides big-top benefits

By Genevieve Martineau

Many kids dream of running away with the circus, but did you know they actually can? Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2022, Circus Smirkus is a nonprofit, circus-arts organization that inspires kids of all ages to develop artistic, athletic, and life skills through the power of performance.

Lila Chafe

The mission of the organization is simple in theory and thoughtfully executed in practice: “To promote the skills, culture, and traditions of the traveling circus, and to inspire youth to engage in life-changing adventures in the circus arts.” Three programs—School Residencies, Smirkus Camp, and Big Top Tour—blend the best of circus tradition and contemporary practice to create immersive experiences that challenge kids to perform and live to the best of their abilities. Smirkus also prides itself on raising money each year for financial-aid scholarships. Board President Michele Levy says, “Our goal is to bring the magic of Smirkus to as many children and youth as possible. In 2022, we were able to award over $90,000 in scholarships, and we hope to offer even more next year.”

Summer Camp

Sleepaway Summer Camp sessions at the campus in scenic Greensboro, Vt., have a range of offerings, from one day, get-your-feet-wet experiences for children as young as 5, to one-, two- or three-week camps specializing in a range of circus pursuits, including acrobatics, aerials, clowning, balance, and juggling. For many campers, Smirkus Camp is a home away from home, where they are celebrated for being themselves.  

In all, more than 400 campers participate each summer in a variety of programs, from beginner to advanced levels. Although most of the camps are open to all skill levels, advanced sessions require a video audition for placement.

Big Top Tour

Big Top Tour features a cast of 30 young circus artists, who annually perform approximately 65 shows in states across New England. The shows include a wide variety of performers, including aerialists, wire walkers, clowns, acrobats, contortionists, and more, with all acts set to live music under a beautiful European-style big-top tent. The audition requires both a written application and a recording. After a review by the tour’s directorial staff, the pool is reduced to 45 performers, who are then invited to a second-round audition in which they showcase a thematic act and participate in skills-assessment workshops. Then, 30 troupers are selected for the final cast.

The 2022 season’s troupe was comprised of youth from 13 states. After the selection has been finalized, the show script is created over the winter months, and act creation and rehearsals take place on-site in Greensboro during three weeks in June. The troupers then hit the road for seven weeks; two-hour shows are performed twice daily.

The amazing performances that audiences enjoy require numerous helping hands and behind-the-scenes dedication. The tour includes 80 people—crew, performers, counselors, and coaches. It takes eight hours to set up the big top, the backstage, and concession tents, and to organize 200 costume pieces, 100 props, 70 spotlights, and a mile of electrical cable. Ultimately, all this work is worth it.

New Executive Artistic Director Steve MacQueen says, “This is an incredible troupe of young people, and watching them perform this show on the road was inspiring. So much work goes into the creation and execution of our traveling circus, and it creates genuine excitement in every community it visits. For a lot of these troupers, circus is an all-consuming passion that they’ve spent years refining already. I was proud to play my part in turning this year’s concept into a big-top reality.” 

Justin Miel

School Residency Program

During the school year, the nonprofit brings the circus to kids through a School Residency program. Coaches provide expert instruction in the circus arts, from visits to schools or after-school programs, or even online. Students receive instruction in juggling, acrobatics, balance, plate spinning, and more. The curriculum is aligned with the principles of social-emotional learning, so students develop powers of concentration, focus, and persistence. Residencies are classroom-ready and can be easily integrated into a larger learning unit in the classroom.

Circus is an activity that requires the same dedication, discipline, and hard work of any sport, but it stresses collaboration rather than competition. Kids set and achieve goals together, learning cooperation and camaraderie. Students transfer their newfound excitement for circus directly into theme-related art, music, science, history, math and language studies.

According to a study conducted by the Weikart Center and funded by Cirque du Soleil, integrating circus arts into K-12 education can improve student performance. After observing residency programs offered by Circus Smirkus and seven other circus-arts providers across the country, the center reported that circus residencies improved social and emotional learning skills in all areas measured—and delivered results better than all other supplemental arts and sports activities studied.

Familiar Faces

So, what’s next for kids who participate in Circus Smirkus programs?

Marvin Wang

Many alumni pursue careers in the circus arts, often attending prestigious circus colleges around the world. Graduates have performed with Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Big Apple Circus, and many other international touring companies. Alumni have appeared in movies, in commercials, and on variety shows like America’s Got Talent. Some alumni have even been listed in the Guinness World Records.

The skills acquired at Circus Smirkus—confidence, teambuilding, and communication—have a tremendous crossover in a variety of careers, serving to benefit even those who do not continue on a circus-related career path. The Smirkus experience celebrates participants for exactly who they are, far from the pressures and expectations of family, peers, and school.

MacQueen adds, “Circus Smirkus is an institution. You don’t get to 35 years by being lucky. It’s an important milestone, but it’s also a new star. We’ll always be grounded in the traditions and values of Smirkus, but we’re also really excited about exploring new ideas and going to new places. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

For information, visit www.smirkus.org.

Genevieve Martineau is the Assistant Director of Marketing and Sales for Circus Smirkus in Greensboro, Vt. Reach her at genevieve.martineau@smirkus.org.