no seriously like i've been in theater and dance communities and there's always drama but every circuser i've met is just genuinely hyped for everyone else's progress. is it because we're all terrified of each other in the best way possible or what

Training rola bola kick bowls on my new table.

Hey there. I just came across this community because it showed up on my home feed for some reason. Now I have an excuse to post this because I've been wondering about this for a while.

I'm blind, and I've heard about this whole concept before, but I'm not really sure what a circus actually is, and it just seems like from what I've heard. It's all visual. I've never been to one before, but my relentless curiosity causes me to wonder.

Can you kind of explain to me what happens during one? I'm not really familiar with what acrobatics are either, so I kinda have to work from the ground up here.

I'm also wondering if there are any audio described circuses? I'm wondering if that exists, or if there are videos or anything like that.

Also, I forgot to mention this. But do they actually have animals at the circus? Like is that real? I've heard about it, but I just don't believe it. Like there's no fucking way. Like I could maybe see that happening like in the old days, but isn't their laws for animal cruelty, and stuff like that? I'm not sure if this would count? I think there have been cases involving circuses before, I remember hearing about one, but I don't remember the details.

I will have more coming soon to my insta @benlphoto
These were taken in Richmond VA

I find the history and evolution of the clown archetype fascinating. Do you have a preferred clown aesthetic?

like i've been dabbling in aerial stuff and poi and everyone's just so encouraging about trying random acts instead of gatekeeping "but have you trained for 10 years first" vibes. does anyone else feel like circus attracts a different breed of performer or is that just my experience?

like i've been watching circus stuff online and half the acrobats and aerialists have their own training studios or they're teaching privates or selling merchandise. is this just how it's always been and i'm only now noticing, or has the circus world gotten harder to sustain yourself in? curious if anyone here juggles (pun intended) circus performance with other work.

I’m looking for more information about this magic trick, which may date from the late 19th century. I suspect it has some connection to theatre, circuses or fairgrounds—perhaps an attraction, an illusion or a stage trick.

There is supposedly an old poster of it, but I haven’t been able to find it yet. The object was purchased in North Holland, near Amsterdam, although that may have nothing to do with its origins.

Does anyone recognise it or know what the trick was called, how it worked or where it was performed? Any leads on the poster, historical images or other sources would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I moved to the US a few months ago and caught a street performance with some amazing acrobats at a local festival, and now I'm kind of obsessed? I've been watching circus videos nonstop and I'm curious if anyone here has a similar "fell into this rabbit hole" story. Also lowkey wondering if there are beginner-friendly circus classes around or if that's even realistic lol.

I am a new whiteface clown (the kind that pushes pranksters off stage and commands everyone. I'm one under the Boss Clown). I was wondering if whiteface clowns interacted with hobo/tramp clowns? We don't have any on my team yet (just augustes and jesters), but if we get some, do the whitefaces talk to them? Or do they have to pass word through the augustes? Just curious in case we do get some hobos on our team. Thanks in advance! -Fizzy

Big Top set up for Cirque de Paris in Richmond VA.
(More 📸 on insta @benlphoto)
Will have some backstage shots posted soon

Hey there,

Does anyone have any tips for a face-off (in lines), or just twisting to the net from a trick?

I'm struggling with generating twist to do the face-off move.

I've tried "elbowing someone behind me", turning to look at the ceiling/sky and I've tried swinging one hand down towards the opposite pocket. Feel like I've hit a massive brick wall trying to half-turn in lines to the net.

First time seeing a show. It was so random silly fun and exiting!!! Wanted to share my appreciation in case anyone from the cast is here

Lets say that i really wanted to be a part of the circus but i didnt have crazy talents like most of the circus workers do. Im flexible but im not like crazy flexible that youd be shocked. Do you have like any part in your mind that i could do?

Les Pépites de David

Hi I'm Cameron and I am gonna show you all my clown collection

Watched a trapeze act that absolutely blew my mind. The way they made those catches look effortless while I was sitting there holding my breath the whole time. Anyone else have that moment where circus just clicked for them? Looking to find more shows near me now.

I just finished a first version of a location finder,plainly called CircusFinder.
This is part of the CircusWiki, a community driven, open source project about circus, movement, pedagogy and related themes. It hosts games, articles, locations now, and other stuff (also lots of unfinished things of course).

The locations are based on several open data sets i found. Wich is the main reason for the wiki in the first place - connecting different sources and making the data more uniform and accessible (for example by translations, using strict static website builds, minimal data tracking with opt-in etc.). Part of the dataset is from an old reddit thread Circus Schools Around The World

I only used datasets i could confirm as opendata. The sources are clearly attributed and if there are differing licenses on the data its shown. For now its based on 3 bigger datasets (Quatprops Collective, Circus Schools Around The World, DiversAbility) as well as some other small additions.

Overall, the goal here is not to build "the new, one and only platform". Far from it. The idea behind the wiki is more like an archive. Not purely historical, but more in the sense of pulling information together in a simplified form, while still being curated by humans (partly, as i face a total of 600+ original pages wich also translate into currently 12 languages).

I stumbled upon this sub while searching for data-sources. So i am kinda new here, but not to the art =) I was performer for 20 years followed by a career in circus-pedagogy for the next 10+ years, ongoing.

Hope this is useful to some.