If you are a professional performer, then you most likely have performer’s insurance.  But what if you are very new to the game, are semi-professional, or compete for fun?  What type of insurance do you have then?  Do you expect the companies and venues that are hosting you to be fully insured?  How do you vet them?  How much do you know about first aid?  Do the venues hosting you have people on-site who are trained and certified to administer first aid?

The majority of circus companies will require their performers to be insured, especially if you are using your own equipment.  This will, of course, vary depending on your location.  Specialty Insurance is the most well-known insurance carrier for circus arts (performers and companies alike).  As circus arts have grown in popularity, you can see more companies emerging, like XInsurance, Prime Insurance Company, and Front Row Insurance Brokers.

I am a professional performer, have performer’s insurance, and only work with entertainment companies that I know are fully insured.  I’m also a circus coach, and it is my school’s policy that all coaches be CPR-certified, as well as certified to administer proper basic first aid.  However, I recently competed in an amateur competition—something that is supposed to be fun;  you get a nice video and photos for the demo reel, and get to create a truly unique act that only needs to please yourself vs. a boss.  Things took a turn late in the competition, and a competitor needed serious medical attention.  It became clear that no one running the competition, nor the venue that was hosting it had anyone on site that could handle the situation.  Luckily, the other competitors nearby were either nurses or coaches and had enough knowledge and the sharp reflexes to take charge until emergency services arrived.

This has brought to light for me a number of questions around competitions and festivals:  what is their emergency plan?  Many of us understand the risks of physical performance or competition, and are often asked to sign waivers of liability before even submitting our full application.  But, does a waiver of liability mean that we should sign away our rights to basic first aid?

Here are some questions that you can ask the companies that you are working for, and festivals or competitions that you will be performing in:

1. Are you fully insured?
2. Does your insurance require you to have Emergency Medical Services on-site?
3. Will EMS be on site?
4. Do your employees or volunteers need to be CPR/EMS certified?
5. How far away is the nearest EMS?
6. What is your EMS plan in case of an emergency?

When working with entertainment companies, they have often been upfront about their insurance policy with clients, and therefore have been giving in this area to their performers as well.  Oftentimes, we have to show proof of insurance to one another before a contract is even signed.  I have also had great success in emailing these questions to the organization directly before I apply to compete or perform.

Another way to be proactive is to get yourself and your coaches CPR and EMS certified!  You can often take classes with the Red Cross, you can also get certified online, or you could ask your school or training gym to host a certification day! 

Melissa Mellon

Sales and Acquisition Manager -UNITED STATES

One of the co-founders of the theatre company Watermelon Bathtub, Melissa Mellon (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based circus artist, content creator, and educator. She studied Theatre Performance at Juniata College, where she trained in acting, movement expression, Skinner Releasing, and Fitzmaurice Voicework, and was introduced to single point trapeze. She finally made her way to training at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, where she is now a youth and adult coach. Melissa is skilled in aerial arts on the lyra, trapeze (single and double point), pole, lollipop, and sling, as well as trained in fire flow and safety. Her favorite thing to do is create beautiful flying and ambient acts.