Perform with us!
Big Top Tour 2016 – Photo by Robert Sanson
Now Accepting Applications:
The 2017 Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour
Application: app.campdoc.com/register/circussmirkus
The 30th Anniversary Big Top Tour is now accepting applications from nationwide youth performers between the ages of 10 and 18. While circus experience is preferred, we accept applications from athletes of many backgrounds including gymnastics, tumbling, and dance.
About the Big Top Tour:
Since 1987, The Big Top Tour has brought together 30 motivated circus students to travel with a traditional traveling circus that performs between 60-70 shows across New England. This unique performance opportunity shares Smirkus’ mission of bringing circus arts to over 20,000 children and adults throughout the summer. Smirkus hires high level circus coaches from across the country to help train Troupers and create the 2 hour show over a 3 week period in early June. Many Big Top Tour Troupers continue onto circus careers around the world. Troupers gain in depth knowledge in performing and the circus arts, become physically stronger and gain maturity from going on such a big adventure.
Requirements:
If you are a trained student of circus disciplines, have strong teamwork skills, excellent stage presence, and are interested in gaining more insight and knowledge about performing, traveling, and traditional circus arts, we encourage you to apply! All applicants must submit a video audition and application form, more details are found here: app.campdoc.com/register/circussmirkus.
Important Dates:
November 1st Deadline: All submissions are due by November 1st. The submissions are then reviewed and letters to applicants informing them that they have been invited to the live auditions will be sent out the week of Thanksgiving.
January 13-15th, 2017 LIVE AUDITIONS: Live auditions will be held the weekend of January 13-15th, 2017 at Austine School, 209 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, Vermont – http://necenterforcircusarts.org/directions/. If you are invited to audition in person, you will need to prepare an act to perform.
June 2017: Training will begin approximately June 10, 2017. The tour will run until approximately August 20, 2017. (More specific dates can not be given at this time as the tour is not yet booked for the 2017 season.)
Tuition & Scholarships:
Please note that there is a tuition fee for the touring program. This cost covers training, housing, food, uniforms and transportation costs for the rehearsal and tour period. No one is denied participation because of financial need. If you are accepted into the troupe, you may apply for scholarship aid at that time. (In 2016, the tuition fee was $6500).
If you are interested in attending Smirkus Camp and auditioning for the Big Top Tour, we recommend that even if you plan to apply for the Tour, you also apply for Smirkus Camp as camp sessions tend to fill quickly. The 2017 camp registration forms will be available on our website, www.smirkus.org/smirkus-camp, starting November 6th, 2017. Video auditions for Session IV Jr. Roadshow and Session V programs including Roadshow, Ensemble Work and Aerial Acts are currently being accepted (to learn more about these programs please visit link). If you are selected to become a Trouper on the Big Top Tour, we’ll transfer your camp deposit to your tour tuition.
For further assistance with the application process or if you have any questions at all, contact tour@smirkus.org or call us at 802-533-7443 x27.