Letter from a Trouper: Alexa Wang
Editor’s Note: This post was written by 5th year trouper Alexa Wang I’ve had to remind myself that this isn’t “my last year with Smirkus”. Of course, it is my last year as a trouper and the last time I step into the ring as a “Smirko”, but one never leaves Smirkus and Smirkus never really leaves you. Every time I look into my future, I envision Smirkus being a part of it— whether it be my commitment to see the Big Top Tour every summer or my dream of one day coming back to be an employee, Smirkus is not…
2021 inTENTsive Trouper Arrival
Editor’s Note: This post was written by summer Tour Communications Intern Teagan Allen The staff and coaches had been working hard for this day. The tents were up, cabins cleaned, equipment prepped, pie cart stocked, all that was left was the arrival of the troupers. While we had planned arrivals in 15-minute increments, the first group of troupers arrived in a big line, holding hands, waltzing, and skipping up the long dirt driveway. This sight instantly brought a smile to the staff and coaches’ faces due to the contagious smirko energy. As more troupers arrived, more happy screams were coming from…
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…
Circus Smirkus Alumni in Summer 2020
The 2020 Smirkus summer proved to be extraordinary. And in this time of resilience, our Smirkus alumni stepped up to participate in our Smirk-o-Vision online entertainment series, coached Smirkus Camp under COVID-19 quarantine restrictions, and behind the scenes as staff. Our Smirkus alumni continue to create and share what it is to spread Smirkus magic. Thank you!
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter Circus Smirkus affirms its commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion on an ongoing basis with the following words, shared in our hiring process, in our employee handbooks, and with our participants: “At Circus Smirkus, we believe in a circus culture that seeks out and celebrates all types of peoples, cultures, and skills to showcase the multifaceted triumph of human abilities. It is fundamental to our values to welcome employees, participants, and audience members of all backgrounds with the curiosity, respect, and awe human diversity inspires.” Racism and hate have no place in our ring, our community, or…
Virtual Season 2020
Get your circus fix this summer through Smirk-o-Vision, Circus Smirkus’ online entertainment series. With exclusive online events through the summer, you can gather the family around the laptop and delight in the joy and wonder of a virtual Circus Smirkus experience, right in your own living room. See our full schedule, where you can purchase tickets to all remaining events! Thursday, July 16 at 7PM: Inside the Circus: Behind the Music Thursday, July 30 at 7PM: Inside the Circus: Beyond the Pie with Circus Chefs Thursday, August 6 at 7PM: Inside the Circus: Backstage at HQ Saturday, August 15 at 7PM: Smirk-o-Vision Grand Finale Thank…
How Clowns Zoom
Looking for a laugh? Try this video. These clowns have learned so much about clowning around while social distancing…in fact they get together regularly to share a few tricks. You’re welcome.
Introducing the 2021 Big Top Tour Troupers!
Watch this video to meet our 2021 Big Top Tour troupers! Congratulations to the 30 young circus artists, ages ranging from age 12-18, who will go on the road next summer performing nearly 70 shows all over New England in our beautiful new circus tent! There are 20 returning troupers and 10 new troupers, consisting of 15 girls and 15 boys. The troupers reside from the following United States (CA, CO, MA, ME, NH, NY, PA, RI, VT, and WA) and Internationally (Canada and Zambia). Stay tuned for our tour schedule and ticket information. Tickets go on sale May 1, 2021. Special thanks to Andy Bell for creating this beautiful video!
The 2019 Tour Video is Now Available!
Just in time for the holidays! You can relive the 2019 Big Top Tour: Carnival with Andy Bell’s video of the show. The 2019 Big Top Tour video is now available as either a physical DVD from our webstore or to stream for rent or purchase on Vimeo On Demand. For those you with a smart TV, a Roku or an Apple TV, you can also stream the videos using the Vimeo app. Past videos are also available! Order now to get them in time for your holiday gift giving – the DVDs make great stocking stuffers, and the streaming versions are keepsakes you’ll enjoy long into the future! 2019…
Aaron’s Farewell Tour
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Anne-Marie Wood and Eric Schondorf, parents of 5th year trouper Aaron Schondorf Watch this video looking back on Aaron’s years with Circus Smirkus, created by Andy Bell. As we look forward to Aaron’s fifth and final season with The Big Top Tour, we can’t help recall driving up I-91 to Lyndon, Vermont in 2010 to take Aaron and his brother, Ethan, to the one-week summer Smirkus Camp session. Even though it was Aaron’s first time away from home, from the minute we walked onto campus, the Smirkus counselors and staff could not have been more welcoming…