Trouper Close-Ups: Ilse Bryan, Patrick Chikoloma, and Liam Ryan-O’Flaherty
Trouper Close-Ups: Ilse Bryan, Patrick Chikoloma, and Liam Ryan-O’Flaherty
Ilse Bryan
Ilse Bryan is 12 year old, second year Trouper from Lincoln, Rhode Island. She started getting involved with circus 3 years ago, getting her start at Circus Smirkus Summer Camp. She began training in fabric, but has recently been getting more involved with ground work, like contortion and handstands. Ilse’s favorite part of being a Trouper is performing. However, on tour, the Troupers aren’t always working. Ilse finds the hardest part of being a Trouper is, “not spending all of your money on ice-cream.” She would also like to note that she brings her stuffed animal named Sir Eggwardo II with her on tour, for a bit of comfort and good luck!
Ilse performing in the fabrics act
Patrick Chikoloma
Patrick Chikoloma is from Chibolya, Zambia and he is 18 years old. He comes to us from Circus Zambia, making him a first year Trouper with Circus Smirkus, and he is having so much fun. While Patrick is performing acts that are not new to him in this years Big Top Tour, like Chinese Pole and acrobatics, he says, “I think I have learned a lot of new stuff.” One thing he has learned this year is rigging, from the rigging coaches Cris Clark and Nick Harden. Learning new skills is always great, but he says, “my favorite part of going on tour is performing because is when we smile and have fun.” After the Big Top Tour is over, Patrick will be traveling to Japan to further his circus skills.
Patrick performing on the Chinese Pole
Liam Ryan-O’Flaherty
Liam Ryan-O’Flaherty is an 18 year old Trouper from Norwich, Vermont. He began circus by taking a circus camp in his hometown, and saw his first ever Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour and fell in love. Liam started out practicing diabolo and unicycling, but says, “My favorite is either juggling or wire, it is really hard to choose.” Recently, juggling has taken up majority of his training time. When Liam is on wire, and does not land a trick, he says, “it is definitely never great to mess up on stage, but it always makes the successful attempts more satisfying and rewarding.” He is sad that this is his third and final year as a Trouper, but looks forward to a new chapter in his life. After tour, Liam will be taking a gap year to train in the circus world, and in the Fall of 2018 will be attending Reed College to major in Philosophy.
Liam riding his unicycle on the tight-wire
To join these Ilse, Patrick, Liam, and even Sir Eggwardo II, on the Circus Smirkus 2017 Big Top Tour, get your tickets here!