Wishes and Dreams Come True- Wednesday, July 10th
After a long jump on the 4th of July, we arrived in Saratoga Springs, New York for five shows. The first show on Friday, July 5th, wasn’t until 7pm, giving us all time to explore the area during the day. We were located on the Saratoga Race Course, a historic site – this year, they’re celebrating 150 years! There is something enchanting about the Circus Smirkus environment. Both behind-the-scenes and during the show, there’s a certain kind of magic in the air that’s a result of the combination of the 26 talented Troupers, and one Trouper-in-Training, and all of the…
Full-Circle and a Jump: Friday, July 5th
With two sold-out shows, I’d say Smirkus’s first day in St. Johnsbury was a success! Although it was still raining (as seems to happen quite often!), after the second show I headed with many of the tour staff to Milk House, a nearby ice cream place, for maple creamees (for those not from Vermont, a maple creamee is maple-flavored soft-serve ice cream) were just what we needed after a long day of two shows. Getting to visit a local business was a cool experience; none of us are locals, and checking out these places that are unique to the town…
Same Bunk, Same Tents, Same People… New City!- Wednesday, July 3rd
When I woke up Monday morning, something felt different. I was in the same bunk with the same roommate (Sarah, one of our cooks) and walked past the same tents, but my surroundings were entirely different! We got to St. Johnsbury on Sunday afternoon, and spent the rest of the day and all day Monday setting up for the shows- Tuesday and Wednesday at 1pm and 6pm. Breakfast was a bit later than usual, at 8:30am, so I had time to go for a run before we ate. Being in an actual town, as opposed to a more rural area…
It’s Show Time!- Monday, July 1st
It’s a few minutes before six – almost dinner time – and I’m sitting on a forest green picnic table, watching tent crew set up the Big Top and listening to the many dogs on tour running around and barking. I’m on a baseball field in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and the weather is so pleasant; warm enough to wear shorts but not too hot. I don’t think this is the life I would have pictured for myself upon graduating from college. But something I’ve realized is that perhaps the appeal of the circus is that it isn’t a life that…
Laughter is Magic- Monday, July 1st
On Thursday, there was a staff meeting at lunch, where the entire tour staff gathered in the studio over grilled cheese and tomato soup. It was the first time that we actually got to meet and be in one room with every person that’s going to be working on tour. Because the jobs are so varied- from Tent Crew, who set up the Big Top itself, to the Counselors, who make sure the Troupers are taken care of- we’re not always spending a lot of time together during the day aside from mealtimes. Yet as varied as these jobs are,…
Cue-to-Cue and a Stumble-Through- Friday, June 28th
Circus Smirkus is a place full of magic, but the magic that is most evident happens in the circus ring. After weeks of rehearsals, it was breathtaking to see the show finally come together in the cue-to-cue rehearsal on Tuesday and the first stumble-through of the show on Wednesday. It’s exciting to see the acts rehearse, and to watch acts from bambouk (a swinging aerial apparatus that two people perform on) to diabolo as the Troupers perfect their skills and their routines. We’ve been lucky to have beautiful weather (albeit punctuated by a few rain clouds—but rain just means rainbows!)…
Last week of rehearsals!- Tuesday, June 25th
***We would like to announce Sarah Muench as the winner of our contest to win an autographed copy of Circus Smirkus: 25 Years of Running Home to the Circus. Sarah- please contact us at info@smirkus.org with your mailing address!*** I’ve noticed over the past few weeks that life moves at a slower pace when you’re in a rural area. Without the hustle and bustle of the city (where I went to college) or even the suburbs (where I grew up), there’s just simply less to notice and less to distract you from the task at hand- be…
Same Heart, Same Energy… New Experience: Monday, June 24th
When speaking with the Barton Chronicle on Friday morning, Creative Director Jesse Dryden discussed how Smirkus troupers are known in the circus world for having a good work ethic. At rehearsals they will try, try, and try again until a move is perfected and ready for performance. Theyencourage each other to work hard. When a fellow trouper was having some hesitations about trying a new, challenging move, fourth-year trouper Nick remarked, “Better to fall than not do it!”- when you’re wearing a safety harness, of course- which is a remark I appreciated and believe applies in many areas of life….
Enter to win an autographed copy of “Circus Smirkus: 25 Years of Running Home to the Circus”!
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! It’s all blue skies in Greensboro, Vermont as Circus Smirkus preps to entertain and amaze on this year’s Big Top Tour, Oz Incorporated. Kick off is June 29, so make sure to reserve tickets and join us down the yellow brick road! To celebrate, we’re giving away this gorgeous hard cover edition of “Circus Smirkus: 25 Years of Running Home to the Circus”. It’s autographed by co-authors Rob Gurwitt and Rob Mermin – our Smirkus founder! COMMENT ON THIS POST AND YOU’RE ENTERED TO WIN! THAT SIMPLE! Entries must be made by Monday June 24 at Noon! Good…
Eight days till showtime!- Friday, June 21st
Tuesday started off pleasantly sunny, but soon after breakfast it turned cool again. Troupers layered up with their Smirkus sweatshirts and sweatpants as they got ready for warm-ups and the start of rehearsals, and before getting started for the day I grabbed a jacket and warmer pair of shoes from my bunk. Since their arrival less than two weeks ago, the troupers have been working hard at perfecting the skills for their acts, but this week they have begun working on the blocking (who goes where and when they go there) of each act to make the show come…