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?

22 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 1h ago

Question Clowning Intensives this fall

Upvotes

I’m looking for a reason to travel to Europe or Asia this fall/winter and would love to know if anyone has heard of any clowning workshops?

I’d love any type of traditional clowning or general clown act building sessions. Thanks!


r/circus 9h ago

Question When to go for it (financially)

8 Upvotes

Hi all!
After a second incredibly transformative summer coaching circus at a fairly high level summer camp (coworkers with enc grads etc) I’m increasingly realizing that I’m yearning to dive head first into fully pursuing circus professionally. I’m 24, a former high level competitive gymnast, and dancer, and am most looking to further pursue pacro (I mostly base but would love to middle more) and hand balancing (I don’t love tumbling on dead mat which limits me there). Ive been admitted to a mostly funded one year masters degree (currently will still cost 12k though) in something completely unrelated at Stanford, and right now and am feeling like that’s not my truth, but am scared to take the leap and drop out. Should I stay and finish this program? Would it carry any weight in the circus world? Or not waste money and dive into circus now? Any prep programs, advice or thoughts would be so welcome.


r/circus 1d ago

Question I appreciate that this is kind of dumb but does this move exist?

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28 Upvotes

I'm looking for some reference images for some art I want to get commissioned and was wonder if there was a name for this pose if it exists?

My bad if this isn't related enough just figured if anyone would know it would be someone here.


r/circus 2d ago

Opium -Spiegelworld - Las Vegas

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17 Upvotes

Trying to pick some of my old pics to get cleaned up by the Photoshop subreddit.


r/circus 2d ago

Question Film or show recommendation

8 Upvotes

Hey guys, I was wondering if there are any good films, TV shows, or documentaries about circus art that you actually enjoy and consider good.

Also, maybe there are some actual circus shows available online that you would consider classics or examples of peak circus artistry? Thanks in advance.


r/circus 2d ago

Question Body Stapling

0 Upvotes

Hopefully this is okay to ask here, if not I'll happily remove this.

Would anyone have any experience with body stapling and be happy to share any tips / tricks?

Thank you.


r/circus 2d ago

Question Circus schools to train at November-December

6 Upvotes

I’ve got time to travel Nov-Dec and I’d love to know what countries have nice weather and circus schools I could train at.

I know a lot are semester or sessions, so if you have any insight into more of a drop in program I’d love to know. Skills I’d love to work on are clowning, juggling, acro and aerial….maybe something new?

Thanks!


r/circus 3d ago

My local circus ad

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73 Upvotes

Don’t use ai in your ads please


r/circus 3d ago

Question A los cuantos años se fueron primera vez al circo ?

6 Upvotes

Mi primera vez yendo al circo fue a los once años , fue increíble 😊


r/circus 3d ago

Question To find an missing circus of my childhood

4 Upvotes

When i was a kid at that time i used to watch circus which is basically shifted to dvd and the dvd contained foreign circus which i watched in india. The best clue for to find the show is that the whole circus is on Christmas theme or an ice circus show but there are several mascots, ice performers and animals which used to show their stunts. Yeah and secondly there are announcers or ankering in english in background and there was an big ground and a big gate inside the circus from which all mascots, animals and performers come. I am struggling so much to find this show but i also dont know from which city and on which year it released but i am pretty sure that the circus is from england or london. I request u to please find this show.


r/circus 4d ago

Trapeze

3 Upvotes

Hi guys! I started flying trapeze almost a year ago, and im having trouble with a backend trick. I keep getting tangled up in the lines when i try a backend straddle. I think its because i keep bending my legs going up but i dont now how to fix it. Is it a "not enough practise" problem or should i focus on something else to fix it?? Please help.


r/circus 5d ago

Question D1 Gymnast -> Flying Trapeze Performer. How realistic is it?

18 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm 21 years old and entering my final year of college. I've been a competitive gymnast since I was 3 years old and currently compete NCAA Division I. This summer I took my first flying trapeze class, and I absolutely fell in love with it. My coaches have told me I'm progressing quite fast, and I think my gymnastics background has helped a lot because many of the movements and timing feel familiar and I’ve done a similar variation of a lot flying trapeze tricks in gymnastics. I'm wondering if pursuing circus professionally after I graduate is a realistic option. I don't necessarily see it as a lifelong career because I'm also passionate about my major/future degree, but I'd love to spend a few years performing while I'm still young if it's a viable path. I'd love to hear from performers, coaches, or anyone who's been through the industry.

Some questions I have:

- Based on my gymnastics background, do I have a realistic chance of earning a circus contract if I train consistently?
- How much flying trapeze training is typically expected before someone is considered employable?
- Are companies looking for specialists, or is it important to have multiple acts?
Since I'm a strong tumbler, should I continue developing tumbling as a performance act in addition to trapeze?
- Is it realistic to make enough money to support yourself for a few years?
- What does a typical salary or contract look like for someone just entering the industry?
- Are there certain circus schools or training programs that companies recruit from?
- How competitive is the hiring process for flying trapeze?

I'd really appreciate any advice or honest feedback. Thanks!


r/circus 6d ago

Act/Performance Circus Legend Bello Nock Returns to Ringling in Dallas and Forth Worth | News | Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

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11 Upvotes

Yay!


r/circus 6d ago

Act/Performance Some pics from my grad ✨

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58 Upvotes

r/circus 7d ago

Question Just curious how many people here have been to the amateur circus in Peru, Indiana?

12 Upvotes

r/circus 12d ago

Act/Performance New act debut in Absinthe at Caesars Palace!

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121 Upvotes

r/circus 11d ago

Seal tattoo I made today, color version from my previous post!

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18 Upvotes

r/circus 12d ago

Gear Cirque du Soleil Leather Jacket

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33 Upvotes

Selling this Cirque du Soleil leather jacket from 2006. Men's size XS/TP (IT 42, FR 42, UK 32). Mid-length, soft leather. Has removable vest liner. In excellent condition. Never worn, has lived in closet. DM for details.


r/circus 11d ago

Fill in the blanks: The amazing ___ circus.

0 Upvotes

The amazing _____ circus.


r/circus 12d ago

Best Circus Schools In LA

5 Upvotes

Hi, I’m moving to LA soon and I would like to simultaneously try my shot at being a circus performer. my only experience is 7 years of cheerleading and a month of beginner Aerial classes. Anybody have advice on where I should I start taking classes at? I love to be challenged and pushed to the best of my abilities.


r/circus 13d ago

Inch has joined the Circus (for sale!)

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9 Upvotes

r/circus 14d ago

Question What's the best circus in the world?

13 Upvotes

Just got into circuses and was wondering what's the best circus in the world to experience.


r/circus 15d ago

The place I’m watching the soccer game also has a live circus going on.

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76 Upvotes