Meet the All-Female Circus Troupe Flipping Gender Expectations
The circus might conjure up images of burly strong men, ringmasters in top hats and dainty acrobats in frilly outfits….
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Meet the Artist
Adaptive Circus Arts at Camputee 2019 with Erin Ball
Erin Ball is a circus artist and coach based in Kingston, Ontario, the owner of Kingston Circus Arts and a…
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Mongolia-Bound: A Month-Long Contortion Pilgrimage
Contortion is sprinkled through cultures the world over. Maybe mention of this performing art makes you think of the explosive…
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Under the Tent with the Cuban National Circus
Journalist André Chung visited Cuba in 2017, teaching photography and photo journalism, when he bumped into a rehearsal of Circuba…
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Meet the Graduate from ENC, Ron Oppenheimer
Meet ENC (École Nationale de Cirque, Montréal) graduate Ron Oppenheimer! As the youngest of four siblings growing up in California,…
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Jonathan Lardillier’s Harmonic Throws– a New Juggling Notation
“In all the other languages all over the world juggling is a verb, it’s an action. In the French language…
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The Reinvention of Ringling Clown Joel Jeske
“You have a sense of humor, you know what’s funny, but what’s your sense of humor?” is how Joel Jeske…
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Magie Nouvelle: The New Language of Magic–A Conversation with Raphaël Navarro, Valentine Losseau and Etienne Saglio
What is magie nouvelle you ask ? Just as contemporary circus brought a new approach to the traditional circus that…
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Dumbo: The Circus Angle
Circus movies have a long and interesting history: From classics such as The Greatest Show on Earth to modern day…
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A Quick Talk with Nieuw Circus Founder Etha Struick
Etha Struick is a Dutch circus artist, a coach, a prize winning circus choreographer and the founder of Nieuw Circus….
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Brains, Heart and Space for the Simple: a Conversation with Gravity and Other Myths
“Bigger is better” is a long time American circus tagline. It needs no interpretation. Adhering to this slogan, one would…
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3 AM Theatre– The Time to Dream About (& Plan) Circus
3AM Theatre is one of the new breed of small circus companies like Cirque Us and Acrobatic Conundrum that is…
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Meet a Circus Grad – Inbal Ben-Haim of CNAC
In this series called “Meet a Circus Grad” we give a voice to recently graduated or graduating circus artists, to…
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Crossed Paths: Birth of a Diabolist
Nico Pires, a diabolo artist in the Cirque du Soleil show Totem, has been passionate about diabolo since he was…
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Devising Circus on the Fly: Lessons from the Plaid Lads
The Plaid Lads, a duo comprised of Sam Malcolm and Tony Steinbach, are darlings of the fringe world, having performed…
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AutoCannibal–Circus Gets Dark
This dark work-in-progress (AutoCannibal) by Captain Ruin (aka Mitch Jones) was what he came up with in creation mode with…
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Crossed Paths: Life Stories from the Circus World and Beyond
Nico Pires, a diabolo artist in the Cirque du Soleil show Totem, has been passionate about diabolo since he was…
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Chasing Smoke is Pushing the Boundaries of Circus
The Australian circus scene is getting a very deadly shake-up with the arrival of ‘Chasing Smoke’, the only all-Indigenous contemporary…
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Meet a Circus Grad–Mizuki Shinagawa of ENC
In this series called “Meet a Circus Grad” we give a voice to recently graduated or graduating circus artists, to…
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Juggling with Duo M&M–Act in a Moment
Circus Talk’s series “Act in a Moment” continues to explore the idea that circus artists have a lot to share…
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The Flawless Irina Naumenko, The Hand Balancer
In circus, talent isn’t hoarded, but shared. Long before the advent of circus schools, which continue to grow exponentially, there…
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Entering a New Realm in Circus–An Interview with Gypsy Snider
In this video, Lea Toran Jenner visits with Gypsy Snider, one of the co-founders and co-artistic directors of 7 Fingers, at…
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Another Big Magical Honor for Criss Angel, Who’s Ready for the Next Chapter of His Career
Criss Angel is one of the most recognizable and awarded illusionists in the world. His Las Vegas Strip show “Criss…
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‘Under the Big Top’ Part 1: Circus Heirs Adapt to Life Without Elephants
News 12’s Tara Rosenblum spent one week “Under the Big Top” with the heirs to America’s oldest circus before the…
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Present: Suzi Winson
It is no coincidence that the subject of my first blog interview is the inimitable Suzi Winson. She is the…
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Using Circus Humor–Act in a Moment–An Interview with Vincent Bruyninckx
Circus Talk’s series “Act in a Moment” continues to explore the idea that circus artists have a lot to share…
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RoboPole–Circus of the Future
In Paris this past January, at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain, a giant robot took center stage and…
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Act in a Moment –Lea Prinz
Circus Talk’s series “Act in a Moment” continues and explores the idea that circus artists have a lot to share…
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Meet a Circus Grad–Noora Pasanen of CNAC
We are starting a new series called “Meet a Circus Grad” to give a voice to recently graduated or graduating…
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The Juggling Wizardry Of St. Jules
There’s an ease that permeates from Réjean St. Jules. A kind of seasoned effortlessness that very few achieve in their…
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Embracing Technology with Lea Toran Jenner: A Circus Artist and a Youtuber
We are watching the world around us change as technology becomes more integrated into our lives. Why leave circus behind?…
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Solène Albores and Rodrigo Hernández, Dúo Cardio, Perch Balancers and Hand-to-Hand Artists
Solène Albores and Rodrigo Hernández perform as Dúo Cardio. Solène comes from just outside Paris, grew up in Mexico City…
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Act in a Moment – Slippery Dan
So much can happen in a moment, and so much can be conveyed, but with circus, the art is usually…
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Send in the Clowns: As Times Change, ‘Clowning’ Hangs On
Christopher Hudert did not plan to be a clown. He started stage acting at age 11, performing in the 1960s…
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Breaking the Boundaries of Juggling and Acrobatics – Meet the LAZUZ Company!
LAZUZ is an Israeli/ French/Swedish contemporary circus company created by Ron Beeri & Itamar Glucksmann.Through their personal approach, Itamar and…
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250 Years of Circus: Why Straps Are the Most Balletic and Stripped Back of Aerial Disciplines
I do straps because it’s just me and the air up there. It’s the most stripped back of aerial disciplines….
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The Secret Life of Clowns by Jeff Raz: Part Storytelling, Part Curriculum—All Heart
I don’t know if it’s ever been said that a clown is the heart of circus, but it sure rings…
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The Quebec 4
As spring begins its slow, sporadic thaw, we find ourselves thinking of the crisp early autumn days when Midnight Circus…
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Sylvia Zerbini Has Always Done it Her Way
For many circus performers once they reach a certain level of technical expertise and professional success, their act becomes, as…
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Act in a Moment – Tristan & Eve
So much can happen in a moment, and so much can be conveyed, but with circus, the art is usually…
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A Circus Talk with the Artists of the 39th Edition of Cirque de Demain
Recapping the Festival Circus Talk was behind the scenes at the 39th Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain this February…
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Act in a Moment – The Silhouette
So much can happen in a moment, and so much can be conveyed, but with circus, the art is usually…
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10 Incredible Irish Circus Duos
In 2018, Ireland is celebrating 250 years of Circus! While we’re all reflecting on Circus in the last centuries, we…
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Secrets of a Modern Circus Family
In a time when so many people are considering downsizing, learn how one family makes their silver trailer work for…
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31 Tricks for a 31 Year Old
Each year Thom Wall has celebrates his birthday by making a video featuring a new trick for each year of…
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Calixte de Nigremont, Master of Ceremonies
The word ‘unique’ is misused and overused these days but it is the only fitting description for the wonderful Calixte…
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Sasha Harrington and Andrew Adams, Straps Artists, Cirque de Demain
Americans Sasha Harrington and Andrew Adams have quite a story to tell. Sasha grew up in southern California, near Los…
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A Madcap Journey of Clowns and Crypto-Currency–Making The Pitts Circus Movie
At first glance, Ken Fanning is perhaps an unlikely film director for a mockumentary about an Australian circus family. Busy…
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When Circus Dreams Come True: The Career of Viktor Franyo
Viktor Franyo is a guy whose face you may have seen before, either behind the clever makeup of his character…
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Laszlo Simet, High-Wire Walker, Wheel of Death, Motorbike on the Wire and Semaphore Artist
2018 may mark 250 years of circus but there is another significant milestone to note. Veteran multi-award-winning Hungarian high-wire artist…
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Reflections on A Glass Room; An Interview with Director Benoit Landry
On a cool September evening in Montreal, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Benoit Landry (co-founder…
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Behind the Scenes at Mullum Circus Festival With Ciara Thorburn
Mullum Circus Festival is an exciting 3 day event in Mullumbimby, on the east coast of Australia near the Gold…
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Quick Talk with Grandma the Clown’s Alter Ego, Barry Lubin
In 2015, when Barry Lubin’s memoirs Tall Tales of a Short Clown were about to be released, I had the…
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Put It In Your Back Pocket–The Rise of the Small Circus Company, A Case Study
Back Pocket is an international start-up circus company with big plans. They want to create their show and do the…
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Circus Life, Between Cues: A Photo Essay of Chicago’s Midnight Circus
Midnight Circus tours every fall in public parks around Chicago. I’ve worked with the company on-and-off since I was 14…
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Contemporary Juggling Star Wes Peden Tells All–A Quick Talk
My 17-year-old son had just returned home from the European Juggling Convention where he was fortunate enough to see many…
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Meet Ellie Dubois — The Force Behind The Award-Winning No Show
Director and artist Ellie Dubois’s show No Show won a Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. Circus Talk’s…
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How a Budapest Circus Brings Paris Nightlife to Edinburgh
On his return to Edinburgh, Bence Vagi tells Katharine Kavanagh how seeing a variety of contemporary circus performers in the Scottish capital…
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Add This to Your Circus Library–A Nofit State Circus Coffee Table Book
This project is about that book; a coffee table book full of the wonder, passion and beauty of circus, suitable…
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The Australian Circus Influence via Antonella Casella of Circus Oz
Antonella Casella’s influence on Australian circus reads like a fascinating historical primer on this contemporary art form. Whatever company she…
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The Three-Ringed Life: An Aerialist Reflects on Soaring with the Circus
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s Blog features a series of interviews exploring the lives of people in the circus and their experiences on…
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Acrobatic Conundrum’s Terry Crane Keeps Spinning Yarns–An Interview
This past March in Chicago I sat down at a chai cafe with Acrobatic Conundrum’s artistic director and co-founder, Terry…
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Big Top Life for New Circus Family
Taylor & Kelly Spring are a nouveau circus family, and just like the old circus families they are continuing the…
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Underbelly Festival Exposed
What do you get when you combine the Udderbelly Festival and London Wonderground Festival? You get Underbelly Festival, a mash-up…
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For Performers, the Circus Is a Way of Life
Meet two Ringling Bros. performers, Viki Zsilak (Hungary) and Stephen Craig (USA), in The Weekeder‘s article, who are looking to continue their careers, life…
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‘Circus Helped Me Realise that Academic Abilities Aren’t the Be All and End All of Success’
Luke Hallgarten grew up in Golders Green and attended Hampstead Garden Suburb primary and King Alfred’s before running away to…
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“Circus 1903” Uses Modern Stage Craft & Pachyderm Puppets to Recreate a Turn-of-the-century Traveling Show
30+ years ago, David Williamson almost ran away with the circus. “I was a teenager growing up in Ohio,” Williamson…
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Circus Act Comes Out Spinning As Adelaide Fringe Opens
Showtime star Lisa Lottie creates an ever-changing kaleidoscope of coloured patterns in midair using special hula-hoops which contain computer-controlled LED…
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The 7 Fingers’ Shana Carroll on Jumping Through Hoops & Hanging From the Rafters To Make the Tastiest Banana Bread
Better Lemons’ Gil Kaan interviews Shana Carroll about her latest creation “CUISINE & CONFESSIONS.” Montreal-based Les 7 Doigts de la…
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Circus Royale Performer Talks about Life As A Clown
Francisco Reyes remembers his first circus performance at only 11 years old when he took to the solo trapeze with his…
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From Battambang to Canada: Circus Performers Make It Big
With talent and determination, it was a dream come true for Dina Sok and Sopha Nem. After being discovered in…
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In Love and in The Circus
He’s a magician with muscles and a tan. She’s a Latin dancer with a megawatt smile. Together Sixto and Lucia…
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Looking Up with Circus Artist Vladimir Hrynchenko
Most people know Vladimir Hrynchenko as a circus artist. He was trained at Kiev Circus Academy as a hand balancer…
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Meet the Death-Defying High-Fliers of Cirque du Soleil
Meet flying trapeze artist Zane Frazer and trapeze team coach, Miguel Vargas in the “La Nouba” show. Cirque du Soleil performers…
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The Story of Robert Mermin, Founder of Circus Smirkus
At 19 years old, Robert Mermin ran away from home to join the circus. Armed with $50 in his pocket…
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Inside Ephemeral Architectures with Gandini Juggling
Sean Gandini and Kati Ylä-Hokkala have been the backbone of the juggling company Gandini for 24 years. Their signature style,…
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Cirque du Soleil’s ‘TORUK’ Aerialist Gabrielle Martin’s Big Dream Pays Off
Cirque du Soleil present “TORUK – The First Flight” inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR. This live experience envisions a world…
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How the Circus Saved the Life of a North St. Louis Native
Sidney ‘Iking’ Bateman is one of the many fearless performers of Circus Flora. “A backflip for me is walking,” Bateman…
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NICA graduates Find a Place to Call Home in the Circus
“I’m the supreme alien overlord goddess who comes down and basically abducts the whole show.” Welcome to the world of…
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Identical Acrobat Twins Make You See Double at ‘Paramour’
On Broadway these days is a pair of brothers who, quite literally, put their lives in each other’s hands every…
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The Circus Is in Town
The Donnert family has left a lasting impression on horse lovers all over the world with their spectacular shows. Their…
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Even Bill Irwin Says Clowns Are Scary
Bill Irwin is friendly, funny, and, at 65, surreally boyish. He’s the sort of guy you could take home to…
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‘I Ran Away With the Circus and Came Back Home With a Wife and Two Kids’
Juggling career and kids can be tricky — but for Karl L’ecuyer, it’s a literal circus because the Montreal native…
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Telling Stories with Body & Buildings; A Circus Tour of Melbourne with Emma Serjeant
Emma Serjeant is a prolific circus artist, producer, director and instructor from Australia whose work has touched all of their…
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Philip Rosenberg: ‘Circus Training Is Bitter but Rewarding’
Circus performer Philip Rosenberg trained in Chinese acrobatics before starting to build up a repertoire of skills as a hand…
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Silent Clown Unplugged: A Sneak Peek at Barry Lubin’s Memoirs
The man behind the beloved Grandma character releases an autobiography today about his influences, his struggles with cancer and…
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Cirque Alfonse: A Neo-Traditional Family Circus Keeps it Real
A young company built on a traditional family circus model embraces untraditional artistry using surprising materials and seeking honesty above…
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In the Ring with 27 Wild Animals
With his new act, Martin Lacey, Jr. wants to break a world record. In Europe, January is traditionally the month…
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Laribling: David Larible Premiers His New Show in Madrid
David Larible presents Laribleando (“Laribling”), his new show, in its world premiere at Teatro Circo Price, Madrid. In a press…
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Eugene Chaplin: Continuing a Circus Legacy
Legendary clown Charlie Chaplin’s son Eugene inherited his father’s love of the circus and founded the first international circus festival…
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Married to the Circus, and to This Country
They are Belgian citizens, but they’d rather be in this part of Kerala with its circus legacy than go back…
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A Circus Performer’s Big Secret: He’s Juggled for Decades, but There’s One Thing Audiences Never Knew
Nino Frediani stands in his kitchen, ready for an impromptu demonstration of his craft: throwing things into the air with…
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Finding Peace with Circus in Tough Times
People think of running away when they think of the itinerant circus lifestyle, but who knew that joining the circus…
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Circus Stories
Circus Stories is a docu-soap which chronicles the human dramas that unfold within a nearly forgotten subculture – the traveling…
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