Rain and Rainbows
Hello Smirkus Family!
Before we dive feet first into the waters of Smirkus, let me tell a little about myself. I’m Emma Behrens, Marketing and PR Assistant for the Big Top Tour this summer. I was raised not far from the Circus Barn (located in Greensboro, Vermont) in the tiny town of Strafford. Having grown up nearby, I’m very familiar with the pristine rolling hills and welcoming atmosphere Vermont offers. Though I’m a Vermonter through and through, I’ve spent the past two years at Ithaca College in upstate New York where I am majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications and minoring in sociology. My passions include sunshine, music and avocados.
Throughout my childhood, I had little exposure to the wonderful world of circus. I once did a weeklong residency in middle school where I managed to successfully juggle three silk scarves, but other than that, I’d only seen circus shows occasionally when Circus Smirkus or the Big Apple Circus would come to town. Traveling with a circus is all new to me, and I have a lot to learn. However, I’m excited to acquire circus lingo and share my experiences with you!
From the moment I arrived at the Smirkus World Headquarters on the evening of Wednesday, June 4th, time has been flying by at a million miles an hour. I’ve met dozens of delightful Tour Staff, eaten delicious food at the Pie Car and tried my best to absorb everything about Smirkus. Tents are popping up as if by magic (magic created by the men of the tent crew). The counselors have been working hard to clean the barn and prepare for the Troupers’ arrivals tomorrow, though they did make time for a glamorous photo shoot. I can certainly see modeling in their future. Most of the coaches arrived late last night and jumped right into planning meetings early this morning. There’s a lot to get done before the Troupers arrive at 3PM tomorrow, but, somehow, I’m confident that things will come together in the way they always seem to do.
In the past two days, I’ve seen more rain with the sun still shining than ever before. Yet, the rain never seems to last more than a few minutes. Each time the rain started, I’d eagerly look around for a rainbow but one never seemed to appear. Finally, Logan, PR Intern for Smirkus Camp, and I were lingering after dinner, staying dry under the striped blue and white tent next to the Pie Car when we spotted a rainbow hesitantly peaking through the clouds. I ran across the lot, into the farmhouse, upstairs to my desk and then back out to the Chapiteau, our Big Top Tent. Of course, by the time I was there, the rainbow was fading into the background. People often say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the photograph I took doesn’t do justice to the beauty of a rainbow, nor can photographs fully portray the fantastic atmosphere created here at the Circus Barn. However, throughout the summer, I’ll try my best to capture Smirkus in both writing and images to give you a taste of what’s going on in our world.
Stick with me and together we can travel deep under the sea to a magical place called Atlantis.
Cheers,
Emma Behrens
Big Top Tour Marketing and PR Assistant
Ps. If you’re curious about who you’ll be virtually spending the summer with, here’s a photo of me!
