How did the tent get there? How big is it? Who made it? We asked circus tent master Luis Garcia those questions and more.

Who Made the Tent?
The tents—actually two, the main theater tent and the foyer entrance one—were custom designed and made in Italy, the world leader in European one-ring tent design. “It’s fireproof and very strong,” says Garcia. “They cut it like a fine suit, with no bags or wrinkles.”

A Really Big Show
The main theater tent occupies 14,957 square feet and is 47 feet tall at its highest point. The foyer entrance tent adds 8,712 more square feet overall. Together, the tents fit into an area of 365 feet by 230 feet. Estimated cost? Garcia says about $1 million or so.

Plus, There Are Bleachers
The tent seating was designed by Circus Arts Conservatory CEO Pedro Reis and tent master Garcia and normally offers 1,645 seats—none farther from the show ring than 50 feet. The 273 ringside seats are especially up close and personal.

It’s a Rare Breed
Garcia says probably only four or five other tents like this one, with its highly conspicuous cupola design, exist…

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