Author Archives: Circus Smirkus
Down the Road
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, We did it everyone! We entertained 66 audiences in 15 towns over 7 weeks. The Troupers performed their last shows in Greensboro in front of sold out crowds including our annual Joke Show on Friday. The Joke show is a tradition that gives the Troupers a chance to have some goofy moments in the ring while still putting on a great show for the folks that came. My personal favorite was the staff run-through during the club juggling act which naturally included three dogs and a faux marriage proposal. Click to view slideshow. The Troupers left with…
Three Ringed Circus Camp
We have arrived at our last session of camp, and it is a real tour de force for everyone. From the leadership team who organized and scheduled the three rings of session five: Ensemble, Individual Acts, and Roadshow, to the coaches, who serve as teachers and directors these weeks creating three unique shows. Not to mention the counselors who continue to guide the campers with their leadership and their dynamite personalities and to the campers themselves, all of whom have worked extraordinarily hard to put their acts together in Session V, and it shows! Click to view slideshow. Speaking of…
Back Home in Greensboro
Dear Smirkus Friends and Family, What can I say folks? After seven weeks on the road it is good to be back home in Greensboro, Vermont. Traveling and working with a circus made this a summer like none other I’ve ever had. It’s hard work, odd and long hours, but no other job I’ve had has allowed me such a connection with my coworkers and of course the Troupers. Things are slowing down, but we’re by no means done yet! We spent the first part of this week in Montpelier, Vermont. Montpelier is near and dear to Smirkus as we’ve been going there nearly…
Winding down in Newbury
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, We’ve been zipping through sites these last few days. We swung through a new site in Milford, NH at the Hampshire Hills Athletic Club and then an old beauty in Freeport, ME at the Maine Coast Waldorf School. The Troupers visited the Barbara Bush Children’s hospital in Freeport and we had Addy from Make a Wish come to the show with her family. She was given a tour backstage before the show and got a chance to bow onstage with her sister, Cassidy. Addy (left) with Cassidy (right). We’re currently setting up in Newbury, MA,…
Camp Hits the Road!
Traveling is one of the most universal elements of circus life and this week at camp we followed in that time honored tradition! Our travels began on Saturday when we boarded buses and headed over to Hosmer Point (HP), a camp run through the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in neighboring Craftsbury, VT. HP is a more typical outdoor summer camp so they were thrilled to learn some circus-y things from our campers. In reciprocal we enjoyed one of HP’s favorite camp games, a tag type game with herbivores, carnivores, humans and others as the cast of characters. After the game we enjoyed a beach-side…
Inspiration Station
Session IV is about half way through and I am feeling very inspired. Our campers this week are really challenging themselves and working to improve their already impressive repertoire of skills. Not only are we running our usual camp programs this week but we also are rehearsing for Jr. Roadshow, a small ensemble of campers that will travel with a show they have created this week at camp around the local community. Jr. Roadshow will even perform on the Statehouse Lawn in Montpelier on Monday, August 1st. If you’re in the city, bring your lunch and stop by at noon…
Lot Dogs!
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, We’ve settled into our lot in Kennebunkport, ME. Despite a muddy load-in, it’s a picturesque lot next to the Rockin’ Horse Stables where a trio of horses looked on while we set up our trailers and tents. New neighbors. In honor of the animals that are so generously sharing their home with us, I thought I would use this blog post to introduce you to the animals that are part of the Smirkus family this summer. One thing that you’ll find out about me within minutes of knowing me is that I love animals. When…
Freshness Guaranteed
We are mid way through the summer now with Session III! It’s been a blast of a week here in Greensboro with a full slate of campers coming in to experience their time in the magic of Smirkus. From climbing to the cupola of Mamma Mia to rolling on the floor of Natalie, and it almost goes without saying, rocking some serious new-wave fashions on the Gravel Carpet to Dinner. Camp is really getting into its groove as we hurdle forward through the summer. Click to view slideshow. Some may wonder how as a staff we keep things fresh and…
Reconciling Childhood
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, We’ve been enjoying our brief vacation in the Cape and are ready to move on to Waltham today. While we’re setting up here, I’ll tell you a funny story. A little girl and her mom came up to me after a show the other day looking very nervous. Her mom however was very excited. “Can you tell me- is your House Manager… is that Joy?” Joy from a recent blog post with her plants. Our House Manager is in fact Joy and I told them so. “I told her!” she said excitedly, “We’ve seen Circus…
Happy Campers All Around
It’s a trope, but we’ve got happy campers! When we last saw our heroes they were eagerly anticipating the joys of the second week of camp, and they got that in spades! We had a glorious chill day and a staff show bursting with talent. Not to mention a visit from our founder and new best friend, Rob Mermin. And of course, some breathtaking fashions on the gravel carpet for dinner dress-ups. It’s not been all silliness though, the campers buckled down and honed some seriously cool acts for the show. Everything from your traditional ball juggling acts to some…