Shows like  America’s Got Talent, The World’s Best and Showtime at the Apollo  have become permanent fixtures of network television around the world. For many performers, they seem to offer a shortcut to success in the entertainment industry. Television’s reach promises money and exposure beyond anything easily achievable in live performance; suddenly people recognize you, doors open, casting directors come knocking.

At least in theory. But for circus artists hoping for their big break, how helpful are these shows in practice? Is being an overnight sensation (the Susan Boyle of Circus!) a reasonable, or even desirable, expectation? Are circus artists taken seriously in this context? Do these shows pay well, do they understand safety and rigging regulations? Does it actually lead to further work? Troy Semaj at Cirque de Demain in 20...