New Circus Doors in the US
With the launch of Circus Talk News came the unfortunate announcement of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey closing up shop, as well as the bankruptcy and consequent sale of the Big Apple Circus. And let’s not forget the retiring of the elephants at Ringling that preceded these events. No matter how you look at it, American circus has had some big shake ups and changes over the past year.
To the layperson, it might seem as if circus were a dying art–but to those who still work in the ring, to circus educators, directors and producers, things look quite different. Recreational and pre-professional circus participation and social circus initiatives are at an all-time high. Two top notch recreational/pre-professional institutions (NECCA & Circadium -as an offshoot of the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts) are in a race to be the first to establish a professional program in the USA. There are mid-sized contemporary and traditional big tops circus companies like Cirque Mechanic, Circus Harmony, UniverSoul Circus, Acrobatic Conundrum and Circ...Do you have a story to share? Submit your news story, article or press release.