Author Archives: Circus Smirkus
Creation and Show Time at Camp!
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Will Ciardelli Another end to another exciting week! The unofficial theme of this week was Show Creation where campers switched gears from learning new skills to act creation! Instead of our usual rotation group based classes, we switched to rehearsal blocks. After campers chose their acts, they met in their groups and put their creative energy into the act creation process. This was a first for many of our campers which offered a vital experience for our budding circus artists and performers. Although it’s a difficult job, our campers worked incredibly hard…
Circus Smirkus Rolls into Three County Fairgrounds
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on MassLive.com on July 6, 2023 and was written by Keith O’Connor Photo by Justin Miel Eva Lou Rhinelander loves clowning around. But even more, she likes wrapping herself up into all sorts of contortions, not to mention going round-and-round with the hula hoop. Rhinelander, 18, who hails from Melrose, is one of the many young stars of Circus Smirkus, which rolls into the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton on Saturday and Sunday. Showtimes are Saturday at 1 and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This year’s tour continues the tradition of Smirkus’…
The Show is On the Road!
The 2023 Big Top Tour is out on the road! Watch this video for a preview: We’ve sold out our first two sites! Don’t wait to purchase your tickets ! The troupers and all the staff are thrilled to present the 2023 Big Top Tour: A Midsummer Night’s Circus for you! The tour travels all over New England from now through August 19. The schedule and tickets are available at smirkus.org/about-big-top-tour/
A Car-load of Talent!
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Will Ciardelli As we go into our second week of the All Levels 2-week session, we look back at the last week at Clown Alley. As per usual the campers have been training hard in their rotation groups and choice time, learning a variety of different skills and polishing up some already practiced tricks and bits. But in this session we put our campers up to the test – a Lip Synch Battle against their counselor groups and we were not disappointed! Everybody rehearsed their songs and even added some snazzy choreography to compete for…
The Show is Almost Here!
The 2023 Big Top Tour opens July 1! Watch this video for a sneak peek: Catch a glimpse of our rehearsals, hear a bit of our music! The troupers, the creative team and all the staff are preparing the 2023 Big Top Tour: A Midsummer Night’s Circus for you! Come see the show this summer. The tour travels all over New England from July 1 – August 19. The schedule and tickets are available at smirkus.org/about-big-top-tour/
Energy, Passion and Extracurriculars
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Tour Communications Associate June Mello Creation Week 2 was one bursting with activity. Not only have the acts been getting more and more polished each day, we’ve also moved on to the stage of production where run-throughs happen each day. Scene transitions and character work have now become just as important as refining tricks and practicing skills. The costumes and concessions departments have also both arrived since my last update, making the start of the tour feel even closer. They did first fittings for costumes this week, and next week I’ll be working with some…
Finding Gold and Magic at Smirkus Camp
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Will Ciardelli What a fun past week it’s been here up at Smirkus Camp! The All Levels One Week camp has just wrapped up after a packed schedule of circus training, dinner dress-ups, and lots and lots of fun activities. When the campers arrived last Sunday we began with fun icebreaker and get-to-know-you games, which helped introduce campers, coaches and counselors to each other. Soon after, campers were divided into their rotation/counselor groups where the campers and then came together to choose a group name and secret handshake! The days began…
Smirkling Camp Saturday
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Will Ciardelli Wow! What a day we all had, and what a successful beginning to our summer sessions with the Smirkling Day Camp. The camp staff provided an incredibly warm and inclusive welcome to all 70 of our little Smirklings despite the wet and rainy weather conditions. After parents said their goodbyes to their soon-to-be circus stars, we broke into groups led by our enthusiastic counselors leading into some fun icebreakers to get everybody comfortable and acquainted. Our coaches then led a group warm up to get everybody ready to do…
Big Top Tour Sneak Peek!
The 2023 Big Top Tour show is in rehearsals. Watch this video for a sneak peek! The tents are up and the barn is buzzing with activity. The troupers, the creative team and all the staff are preparing the 2023 Big Top Tour: A Midsummer Night’s Circus for you! Come see the show this summer. The tour travels all over New England from July 1 – August 19. The schedule and tickets are available at smirkus.org/about-big-top-tour/
A Welcoming Start
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Tour Communications Associate June Mello I’ve known about Smirkus for a long time. When I was younger, my mom used to bring my brother and me to see shows when the tour was close to home. I remember being awestruck by (as well as a tad jealous of) the troupers on tour, how skilled they were, and how much fun they seemed to be having. Now that I’ve finally come here to experience it myself as the Tour Communications Associate, and after meeting the troupers face to face, I have to say that my…