Circus Smirkus gives kids a chance to run
away and join the circus – with their parents'
blessings.
Since 1987, we have provided a format for youths and
adults to collaborate in life-enhancing adventures
in the circus arts.
We give kids the opportunity to immerse themselves
in circus through three areas of programming:
Artistic Productions:
Presenting world class family entertainment in the
international Big Top
Tour, with our company of Troupers
and professional circus coach/performers from multi-cultural
backgrounds. We also provide 'chamber troupes' for
fairs and special events.
Educational Programs:
Teaching circus skills through in-school
residencies and our
summer circus camp, to help kids and teens achieve
personal excellence at all levels. We also work with
adults of all ages in professional act development,
and sponsor international exchanges to broaden our
cultural world view.
Social Missions:
* Reaching
out through scholarships that allow
disadvantaged and at-risk youths to participate in
all our programs, and through projects for community
service organizations to present special performances
and workshops for the physically and developmentally
disabled.
* Providing
a teen mentor program for the older
Troupers and for counselors-in-training at our summer
camp, to provide leadership training and summer
jobs for teens.
* Providing
a vital fund-raising opportunity for the non-profit
organizations that present our Big
Top Tour each summer. Since our founding, we have
raised over $2 million for our presenters.
At Circus Smirkus, kids get involved at all levels:
* In school,
where our Smirkos-in-Residence
introduce kids to juggling, tumbling, clowning, circus
history, and other aspects of our exciting art.
* In camp,
where they learn and develop new physical and interpersonal
skills and begin to appreciate the close community
that circus can create.
* In our Troupe,
where they become working members of a traveling company
of players, learning all that hard work and demanding
performance can teach them.
* And in the
audience, where kids
see our Troupers as enthusiastic and positive role
models – and begin to dream of joining the
circus themselves.
