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…
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,…
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…
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…
Circus Summer Fun
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, It is a hot day here for our first show in Northampton, MA. We’ve had a series of two day stops on tour so our staff and Troupers are looking forward to a leisurely three day, five show stop here. The kids hung out Trouper Cameron Zweir’s house today where they swam, watched movies, and partook of brownie Sundays, generally making everyone here on lot setting up extremely jealous. With the exception of the ladies on staff who had Ladies Night at the batting cages and minnie golf the night before. We’ve got a busy…
The Circus is Green and Growing
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, It has been a hot couple days here on tour. We made the jump from Hanover and are in Saratoga Springs, New York until Sunday. Our staff and Troupers have been keeping cool with ice backstage, swimming in the Connecticut River, and surprise popsicles from the counselors. Julie, one of our concessionaires making a fairy garden by the Connecticut River. One of the most interesting parts about watching a show run for so long is watching it evolve as time goes on. Small changes are made based on how audiences react to humor, the timing…
Rope Climbing and Little Sugar
As I’m writing this, we’ve finished setting up in St. Johnsbury. We said goodbye to Essex Junction and a packed house on Thursday and we’re hoping to get more of the same here in St. Johnsbury. So much has happened in the last few days so I’ll try my best to get you caught up. We had local 22 and 44 come to the lot early last Tuesday so we could be a part of their morning show. We introduced host Alaina Pinto to all things circus including clowning, juggling, and lyra work. She saw a preview of our penny-farthing and…
Untitled
Dear Smirkus Family and Friends, Two shows down, sixty-four to go folks! We opened tour at our home in Greensboro to some enthusiastic crowds on Saturday before speeding off to Essex Junction for our next six shows from the 28th to the 30th. If I haven’t mentioned before, I’m not a circus performer. But believe me when I say, that these kids do things that are astounding. I remember watching part of dress rehearsal only a few days ago and starting to tear up. What this crew accomplishes in such a short time is both delightful and humbling. Click to view slideshow….
Long Summer Days
The days are long here on Circus Road but never boring.We have just six days until opening as of the time this post is being written. Practices are down to 20 minutes each with the focus on perfecting what have become completed acts. We had our Banquet last night where the Pie Car shows off their culinary skills and the rest of us reap the benefits. Pie Boss Andrew announcing dinner. After that the Troupers said their thanks to their coaches – most of whom will be leaving before we go on tour – as well as the rest of…