For over 30 years, Smirkus Camp has been welcoming campers of all ages to run away with the circus. Smirkus Camp staff come from all walks of life, from circus arts and performing to teaching, childcare, and healthcare. With boundless energy and depth of personality, counselors, coaches, and camp staff bring passion for Circus Smirkus’ mission, a sense of fun, and love of their work to their interactions with campers, camp families, and staff.

★ Rachel Schiffer, Smirkus Camp Director
Rachel Schiffer caught the circus bug when she was only seven years old and has been circussing in some way shape or form ever since.  Rachel studied religious performance, dance and biology at Middlebury College and upon graduation turned her full focus back to the circus arts.  She has performed extensively throughout the US with both traditional and contemporary circus companies alike. In 2011, Rachel’s circus world shifted to Europe where she lived and toured until 2020. Highlights include a 4-year tour with Le Cirque Poussiere in France, NoFit State Circus in Wales, and a creative project Laws Of Motion : The Third Law, developed in Denmark and Sweden.

Rachel was a Smirkus camper “back in the day” and performed with the Big Top Tour from 1995-2004.  Rachel has since reappeared under the Circus Smirkus Big Top as House Manager and Trouper Head Counselor, and she has been a Smirkus Residency Artist and Coach.  This summer, Rachel is excited to bring her performance and circus administrative experiences back to Greensboro where she will serve as Camp Director.

In addition to keeping her body busy with circus, Rachel enjoys the challenge of “everyday new.”  In the summer, swimming, farm stands, and creemees are a must. She loves kitchen time, reading, and adventuring always.

★ Doug Stewart, Assistant Camp Director

Doug began his circus journey in 2009 when he came to Smirkus Camp for the first time. He continued coming to Smirkus Camp until 2014, when he ran away with the Big Top Tour and never looked back!

Doug graduated from Columbia College Chicago in May 2018 with a degree in Business of Live and Performing Arts. He has performed with Circus Smirkus, The Midnight Circus, Aida Cruises, Live305Entertainment and Cirque Dreams.

Doug is the founder and artistic producer of Cirque Us and has taken the company on the road 7 times.

★ Mariah Fraker, Activities Coordinator

Mariah first attended Smirkus Camp as a camper in 2007. Beginning in 2014, Mariah has worked at camp every summer since and has had many different jobs, including counselor, coach, dishwasher and veggie-chopper, layover-mommy, and activities coordinator. Mariah loves camp more than anything. When not at camp, Mariah can either be found traveling, or working and keeping constantly busy with fun activities, such as musical theater or musical chairs.

★ Meet Our Coaches & Counselors ★