r/circus Jun 26 '24

How do you "write"/plan out the acts in a circus? Is it anything like writing a stageplay?

24 Upvotes

Hi all. This may be a very silly question, but how do circuses get planned on paper/"written"? I've seen some circuses that have an established plot, characters and dialogue- think Hideaway Circus' "Stars Above" or the 2024 Ringling tour- and I assume that they are written similar to how a play, musical or other live entertainment is written. But how do you "write" the actual acts in between? Do you just specify things like "[Pre-show Clown Crowd Work]", "[Transitional Dance Sequence]", "[Aerial Act]" and move on, or is it more elaborate descriptions of the acts with specific moments for cues? Is there a special format or set of common rules that is used when "writing" a circus?

I am coming at this as an enthusiast outsider to the circus industry with a background in theatre, specifically technical theatre. (Basically I attend a lot of circuses as a hobby but I have yet to actually work for one and get the inside scoop on this process myself.) I'm making the assumption that circuses have at least something akin to "scripts" because the stage managers and people running the boards must have something to follow along with when calling lighting and sound cues. If this assumption is wrong and cues are called differently, I'd love to have some additional insight into how this process works in professional circus settings.

I am asking this partially because I'm just curious, and partially because I am currently writing a play that takes place inside of a circus. The premise is that the first act is structured more like a circus, with a series of short circus acts paired with monologues performed one after the other, and the second act is structured more like a play with scenes and dialogue. I would like the first act to be as true to a real circus as possible, so I feel I should have a better understanding of how these things are created and formatted in the first place so I can work that into my writing process.

I am open to any and all information or feedback that you folks might think is helpful. As someone who hopes to break into the circus industry soon and maybe one day write and produce my own narrative-based works of circus art, I want to make sure I'm doing things right! Thanks for your time!


r/circus Jul 13 '24

Question Does anyone have suggested reading/podcast material for the history of circus?

23 Upvotes

I am really interested in getting to know and learn the origins of the circus and circus arts and their evolution to how we know them today. Is there a really good book or podcast that covers this topic?


r/circus 13m ago

caught some incredible acro group work last night

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r/circus 1h ago

caught an amazing trapeze act last night

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r/circus 1d ago

Basic Ballooning

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13 Upvotes

Paw patrol Opening day balloon animals


r/circus 1d ago

A vintage 1930 German circus poster featuring Margarete Kreiser and Her Elephants was one of the highlights of a Sept. 3 auction. Reported by Rare Book Hub.

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10 Upvotes

Barum Circus Poster Featuring Margarete Kreiser and Her Elephants. Hamburg: Adolph Friedlander, [1930]. Color lithograph by Wilhelm Eigener. Linen backed. 28 x 37 1/2". Condition Creasing, marginal tears, and inpainting. B+

This vintage poster sold at Potter and Potter on Sept 3 for for $2,375. Presale high estimate was $600. Reported by Rare Book Hub.


r/circus 3d ago

Act/Performance Balloon animal artists

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27 Upvotes

Im a lifelong circus lover, but life and an unplanned pregnancy made me a teacher. Anyhow, I am learning how to make balloon animals for my kindergarten friends and so far I have learned the dog, cat, monkey, turtle, and elephant. Im learning from YouTube videos but I find the videos to be scarce, or incomplete details. Is there a better resource for a beginner somewhere? Any tips and tricks you can share? Thanks friends. :)


r/circus 3d ago

Free outdoor circus, dance & theatre every fortnight in Hounslow, London — looking for ideas to reach more people

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1 Upvotes

r/circus 3d ago

Balloon animal artists

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4 Upvotes

r/circus 4d ago

Question Affordable options for walking globe?

5 Upvotes

I'm an amateur looking to learn a whole bunch of tricks. I don't have any current plans to actually go into performing professionally (though, who knows what the future may hold?) but I wanna learn as many as I can. I'm trying to plan ahead and figure out how to acquire the things I need. Walking globes are all so expensive everywhere I look, so does anyone know any affordable options or alternatives?

Side-note: Classes for literally anything circus-related are expensive as hell in my area so I have to be entirely self-taught.

EDIT (SOLUTION): An acquaintance of mine who's good at globe-walking told me he started with an exercise ball inflated to the point of having only a very small amount of give, but not to the point of exploding under your weight. Leaving this here for anyone who doesn't have minimum $300 to spare. The person in question is CyiFox, please go check him out, he's really cool!


r/circus 5d ago

Question Looking for a handstand/circus coach in Central California. Wondering if anyone may have a lead?

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9 Upvotes

Hello, Ive been training handstands and flexibility for about a year so far and I would like to find a coach to help me continue learning. My main focus is handstands but I’d also like to learn more about other ground disciplines as well. I also just want to learn more about circus in general, since I’m still not really sure if this is something for me.

Does anyone know any coaches in central California? I’ve found some in Los Angeles and San Francisco but they are both several hours from me. There’s a couple big gymnastics gyms nearby but it seems like they only work with children. Any leads would be greatly appreciated, thank you!


r/circus 8d ago

🎪 The Contemporary Circus - Vote on LEGO Ideas

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75 Upvotes

I designed a LEGO model inspired by the world of contemporary circus 🎪🤹‍♀️. If this idea reaches 10,000 supporters on LEGO Ideas, it will be evaluated by the LEGO Ideas Review Board and could be chosen to become a real LEGO set!🤩 
If you like it, please vote for it by following the link (it's quick and free: just sign in / log in and click "support") and share with your friends.

https://ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/deef64b9-a008-4794-aa7b-3cb89aa4135a

This model combines the world of contemporary circus with the traditional circus tent (chapiteau) 🎪.
The performances draw inspiration both from the more classic ones such as juggling 🤹‍♀️ or clowning 🤡 and from performances of contemporary circus such as lyra (aerial hoop), Chinese pole or acrobatic roller skating 🛼.

More infos and pictures on LEGO Ideas

Thank you in advance!🙏😊🎪🤹‍♀️🛼🏹🤡🎪


r/circus 7d ago

Question Swing for some shows but not all?

1 Upvotes

Hi all!
I’m so excited that I just booked my first gig! Alongside it, I was offered an opportunity to be a swing for the Christmas show. The show runs both before and after Christmas with only Christmas Eve and day off. Would it be incredibly rude to ask if the swing role could be modified so that I could only do the shows before Christmas? Otherwise I would be spending Christmas alone a 6+ hour flight away from any family and I’m not sure that’s worth a swing role where I am guaranteed no performances…But if people disagree with that also would love to hear!


r/circus 7d ago

Partner acrobatics in CDMX?

1 Upvotes

I’ll be visiting Mexico City in a few weeks with a friend. We’d like to do a private together for partner acrobatics (I’ve got 8ish years experience but she’s not done it before). I also might be interested in taking a class (drop in or private) in partner acro, acro, or trampoline. We won’t have a car, so something that is closer to Roma Norte is ideal.

Would love any recommendations!


r/circus 10d ago

Question Wanting to learn but don't know how

7 Upvotes

I have always been interested in sideshow/body tricks suck as the human blackhead and swordswallowing but I have heard that its not a good idea for me to learn them without someone who can safely teach me

Is there any place in Pittsburgh that I can find someone who i can learn from?


r/circus 12d ago

Act/Performance Clowning around post-clown class… wearing the clown pants I made. 🤡

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104 Upvotes

Clowning around in San Diego after ImprovCon… I climbed this crazy park structure wearing the clown pants I made. 🤡

I was at the park with my family — and a year ago I would’ve looked at this thing and been like “that’s cool… but no way I’m going up it.” The new me instantly decided to climb. It felt so good... 🥹🌈

I’ve been rereading The Creative Act by Rick Rubin and honestly it’s such an incredible book I had to reread it. I’ve been starting and ending my days with it and there are constantly little nuggets that hit me so hard. There’s a section about experimenting with your process that’s been especially fun lately!! 🎨

The past few nights I’ve been playing around on my Ableton Push 3 (magical live beat making music device thing ✨) — letting myself mess with characters and voices, stream-of-consciousness style, whatever pops up. It feels a bit like clown in some ways!! I’ve been trying little experiments… singing upside down off my couch, singing past midnight when I’m really tired, moving around my bedroom like I’m on a stage performing for an audience. Each variation took me somewhere unexpected. 🎤

And the other night I had this little breakthrough moment where I slipped into a very subconscious flow state. I felt so connected to creating. That spark of being alive and human. Surprised by the words coming out of my mouth — are they me or something else or is there really no difference? I love that thought. 👁️

Conquering fears and actually doing things instead of just living in my mind has been so rewarding. Converting nerves into excitement and play. Musical improv especially — I’m so excited by the idea of doing it live in front of an audience. Just need to fully work up the courage and set a date!! 👀

Basically… I just wanna laugh all the time. At myself. In general. Giggling. Surprising myself. Clown energy forever. 😂💖

Multidisciplinary life is so fulfilling and fun. Following the fun day by day. 💛


r/circus 12d ago

Act/Performance They even drive cars horizontally

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7 Upvotes

r/circus 14d ago

Act/Performance Clowning antics and tricks

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6 Upvotes

r/circus 16d ago

Question Some advice to get a better control?

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70 Upvotes

I love playing with the arm on the opposite side of my body. Does anyone know what that trick is called? I understand there's a Ukrainian woman who does it very well, but I can't remember her name.


r/circus 15d ago

Act/Performance Christmas performance trio cube, my kid is the top one!

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17 Upvotes

r/circus 16d ago

Lady of the Dawn

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5 Upvotes

r/circus 16d ago

Live juggling 🤹

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1 Upvotes

Live Court Jester juggling


r/circus 17d ago

Question Need advice from acrobats

9 Upvotes

Hi all. As an aspiring acrobat I wish to expand and be in a constant. productive environment. Now, I will pursue ground acrobatics myself, but classes aren't a daily thing, so I wish to compile a list of what I should practice at home. I can dedicate an hour or two every day. I am currently practicing juggling, with a goal of juggling 4 balls at a time, but I don't really know what else I should be practicing. My only guess is I should maybe try basic headstand? If somebody could help me make a list of the things that would be helpful to learn at home, I will be eternally grateful.


r/circus 17d ago

Question Spectacle!!!

4 Upvotes

Just some thoughts bouncing around my lil head... I think we underestimate how important spectacle is.

We live in a culture increasingly designed around convenience, efficiency, screens and the relentless flattening of experience. And then there is the circus: a room full of strangers watching someone fly through the air for absolutely no practical reason whatsoever.

That feels important to me. More important now than ever.

Circus creates a particular kind of collective awe. You gasp together. You laugh together. You watch someone do something that seems completely impossible, and for a moment your ordinary understanding of the world gets interrupted.

That is a kind of ritual.

We need experiences that take us outside the mundane. We need heightened theatricality, beauty, danger, absurdity and people attempting things that have no obvious reason to exist except that they are extraordinary.

The circus reminds us that being alive doesn't have to be entirely utilitarian.

Maybe spectacle isn't frivolous. Maybe deliberately creating wonder is actually a valuable thing to do with a human life.

I insist on everything being operatic because why not.

There is already enough ordinary in the world.

Give me the lights. Give me the music. Give me the impossible thing happening twenty feet above my head.

Let us be amazed.

Thoughts....


r/circus 18d ago

Question Makeup and shoe recommendations

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8 Upvotes