Author Archives: Circus Smirkus
Justin Durham
Justin Durham Acro Coach Sessions: All Around Circus Camp, both sessions Justin Durham began circus when he was three years old in Chicago where he currently resides. After graduating the National Centre for Circus Arts studying handbalancing and hand to hand, Justin has traveled with a variety of different companies from Midnight Circus and the Cirque Us in the United States to Circus Aotearoa in New Zealand and Aida Cruises in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. Justin has kept up his handbalance training in the pandemic and has also delved into making free little libraries and raised garden beds supporting the community around him.
VIDEO: Smirkus Camp Slide Table
How fun is it at Smirkus Camp? Watch this slide table video created and performed by our Smirkus Campers! Join us at Smirkus Camp this summer. Sign up today!
Joel Baker
Joel Baker Clown Coach All Levels Circus Camp, Sessions 1 & 2 Joel Baker is a professional performer, circus arts coach, and director, with over two decades of industry experience. After graduating from San Francisco’s Circus Center and their Clown Conservatory program in 2002, Joel launched his career as an acrobatic clown by joining the legendary San Francisco New Pickle Circus. Joel went on to perform in shows across the globe including LOFT by The 7 Fingers and the award-winning Cirque du Soleil production, The Beatles LOVE, the latter with an additional role as Artistic Coach. Joel’s passion and enthusiasm…
Saffi Watson
Saffi Watson Acro Coach Session: Intermediate & Advanced Camp Saffi was raised in a family of artists and performers. They grew up in Seattle Washington, training in rhythmic gymnastics and performing in youth circus with the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts. Currently, she is studying at the National Circus School in Montreal, specializing in contortion-handstand and cerceau. Saffi loves circus because it allows him to further connect with himself, as well as with other people!
Jenna Lamb
Jenna Lamb Aerial Coach All Sessions Jenna ran away with Circus Smirkus Advanced Camp in 2001 and nothing has ever been the same. For many years she performed a solo variety show called “Jenna’s Crazy Rockin’ Circus Show” at children’s hospitals and nursing homes near Delaware where she grew up. Eventually, settling in Palm Springs, California Jenna created and directed a performance troupe by the name of Flowbox. Jenna has explored every circus act she could including juggling, stilt walking, clowning, fire dancing, hoop dance. Her absolute favorites are rolling globe and Aerials. When she’s not having a ball or hanging up-side-down, she loves to sew…
Jason Span
Jason Span Acro Coach All Around Circus Camp, Sessions 1 & 2 Jason Span is a former gymnast of eleven years and a former US Navy Hospital Corpsman based out of Jacksonville, Florida. He was honorably discharged from active duty in the United States Navy after serving for ten years to pursue his dream of becoming an aerial artist. Jason quickly developed his artistry on aerial silks in June 2015 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He relocated back to his home town in Jacksonville, Florida on October 2015 when he joined Bittersweet Studios. Always seeking to improve his skills, Jason began to…
Pher Gleason
Pher Gleason Juggling Coach All Sessions Pher Gleason is a juggler and filmmaker based in New York City. As a juggler she has worked with Circus Smirkus Camp, Cirque Us, and Brooklyn’s The Muse, specializing in balancing her technical knowledge with experimental style and decisive panache. She is the only openly transgender, world-record-holding juggler. In 2021 she directed the circus film Dead + Alive featuring Richard Saudek and Dana Dailey.
EWSD, Circus Smirkus Team Up to Offer Remote Learning
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on WCAX News of South Burlington, VT on December 19, 2020 and was written by Elissa Borden. ESSEX, Vt. (WCAX) – Essex Westford School District and Circus Smirkus are putting the “fun” in fundamental learning. The two entities are teaming up to bring kids social and emotional learning skills over Zoom. In-school circus classes are nothing new to Circus Smirkus. In fact, they’ve been doing residencies for over 20 years. What is new is providing that curriculum over Zoom, and EWSD is the first school district to pilot it. While many districts have nailed down how…
Smirkus Camp Handbalancers
Smirkus Camp is open for registration!Learn about all our sessions here and sign up today
Miming Workshop!
SPECIAL EVENT! Miming Workshop with Soleyman Pierini Have you ever wanted to learn to mime? We’re excited to offer this special workshop to anyone who wants to learn new movement skills, whether you love clowning or theater or just want to have some fun and a laugh! All ages & levels are welcome. Learn the 7 axis and 4 dynamics of movement – these are the very basics of mime – and then “fixed point”, which is used to create the classic mime illusions. You’ll practice miming skills and perhaps even learn about pantomiming, which is the art of creating…