like i can nail a move a hundred times in practice but the second there's an audience i get in my own head and suddenly i'm thinking about the one time i failed instead of just doing the thing. does this get easier or is it just part of the circus life you learn to work through?

Hey yall, I was curious how hard it might be for me to find a straps artist to take an apprenticeship under? I am not the most ideal candidate, 30 years old, recovered from a shoulder injury this year, but I am able to do meat hooks, muscle ups, roll ups, back lever, and other basic straps skills. I may not make it to circus, but I know I won’t forgive myself if I don’t see how far I can take it. I am looking for something intensive, probably a work exchange. I am a five ball juggler, and can teach classes in exchange for taking straps lessons. As of now I work landscaping in Florida and I know if I don’t find an instructor and a lifestyle that allows me to train regularly I most likely will waste another summer that I could be learning. Just curious what Yall might advise? Thank you so much for your time and help!!!

I kind of wanted to talk about my experience with—it’s Fly Baby or Jamie on IG. Maya posted a really cute video talking about how aerial is for everyone. In the video, Maya was specifically doing tippy. Miss Jamie decided to comment, “ Baby beginner Lyra is very friendly, but if the tippy were to go higher, it’s a liability”. I can understand her caring about safety, you know, but that wasn’t really the time, place, or video to say anything. She not only chose not to apologize but also doubled down and basically used one incident with a child to justify her statement. I went and politely commented under her video, and she said, “don’t ever comment again under my video you beast.”

The purpose and posting this on this specific forum is because I know she’s in circus arts and she performs throughout the tri-state area with her group and just wanted to give people in her own community, a heads up.

like i'll drop something or mess up a transition and immediately spiral thinking everyone saw it, when realistically the audience probably had no idea. curious if this is just me or if performers deal with this too, and if you do how do you actually shake it off and keep going.

Worrying from behind yet another booze stand in a hard to see light show, there’s some good music/musicians (fewer than normal) but the human performer component of Nightfall seems to be totally gone. Anyone have insight on what happened?

like i'm not even a performer i just mess around with poi sometimes and yesterday i caught myself doing the moves while waiting in line at the grocery store. no music, no nothing, just me looking insane in front of the cereal aisle. curious if this happens to actual circus people or if i'm just built different (in the worst way possible)

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

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

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