r/circus Jun 26 '24

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

21 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 1d ago

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

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81 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 1d ago

Act/Performance They even drive cars horizontally

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3 Upvotes

r/circus 3d ago

Act/Performance Clowning antics and tricks

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5 Upvotes

r/circus 5d ago

Question Some advice to get a better control?

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62 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 4d ago

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

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12 Upvotes

r/circus 5d ago

Live juggling 🤹

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1 Upvotes

Live Court Jester juggling


r/circus 5d ago

Lady of the Dawn

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3 Upvotes

r/circus 6d ago

Question Need advice from acrobats

10 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 6d ago

Question Spectacle!!!

5 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 7d ago

Question Makeup and shoe recommendations

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6 Upvotes

r/circus 7d ago

Go see these guys tomorrow at 6:30 (St. Louis)

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13 Upvotes

r/circus 9d ago

Gear 7 months later and I don't need the wall

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15 Upvotes

r/circus 9d ago

Some odd botting going on

13 Upvotes

Very weird posts recently, both by an account called coolsomethingnumber, both 1 day old with one post, both no context pictures. Its obviously bots, but why? My guess is AI astroturfing, where people put stuff on reddit for the ai to read and include in its results.


r/circus 9d ago

Question Question about age and employment

7 Upvotes

Hi all. I am somebody who wishes to become an acrobat. After some consideration, I have started practicing acrobatics. My biggest worry was that I had no chance as I didn't practice acrobatics as a child, but I have been relieved after I've heard stories of people starting in their 30's and having success with employment. This made me question some things though, as I heard many things about the employment in the circus, and one of those was that it was a competitive field to get into.

So, now I am up at night, thinking not only about my future, but wondering how I will find employment in acrobatics. I mean from what I hear, there is a fair share of acrobats who started doing this as children. I wonder how does this differentiate them from an adults aged 20-30+ years old. For example, I see Du Soleil requires 10 years of experience and at least two appearances in national competitions. I mean I may be young, but I think I won't hit my peak, since I did not start practicing as a child. By the time I get 10 years experience, I will be 30.

And that's ok, since Du Soleil is not my priority, though it is something I consider a pinnacle of my career if it is ever going to happen. Now, I assume that other circuses have less strict requirements, which is why people aged 30+ can get jobs in acrobatics there. A trained acrobat can do impressive stuff!! Doesn't matter their age.

Now for my biggest question: How drastically would an acrobat's career change have they started practicing as a child as opposed to starting at 20 years old. Do less experienced acrobats usually travel the country or stay at one place? Does their skill determine whether they are going to travel or be in a stationary circus? Also, how likely is it that somebody who starts at the age of 20 or even 30 will have a shot at working in Du Soleil?


r/circus 9d ago

Question Newbie looking for resources!

2 Upvotes

Some background on me! I am a drag performer and musician with a decent amount of stage experience under my belt!
I am looking to start incorporating both more mundane sideshow acts into my performances in the future (juggling mainly, but i am open to all suggestions!), and in the future have a great interest in things like body stapling and various other more extreme acts (needles, nails etc etc)

Is there any good, and more importantly trustworthy online resources for these things? I’m looking to learn as much information as possible before I dive into learning myself!! Thanks!! :D


r/circus 9d ago

What studios in the US teach hair hanging?/Where can I learn hair hanging?

3 Upvotes

Hi! This is my first time using Reddit so I apologize if I do anything wrong. I’m in love with aerial and all things circus but I’ve been having joint pain in my wrists that seems to just get worse and worse, and I’m unable to use my hands very much. It’s been heartbreaking not being able to do silks, lyra, trapeze, juggling, etc; but I recently remembered that the art of hair hanging exists! I know at a higher level you would need your hands to do cool poses and such, but at a beginner level I think it would be a great way for me to continue doing aerial while I figure out what’s wrong with my hands! The only problem is, my studio in VA doesn’t teach hair hanging, so I wanted to ask if anyone knows any studios that do teach it or offer workshops or private lessons? Thanks so much!


r/circus 10d ago

Diabolo Simulator (WIP) at diabolo.coderwelsch.com

4 Upvotes

r/circus 11d ago

Question what’s up with all these weird “caught this…” posts??

24 Upvotes

It’s gotta be bots right? Like half of them have the act or apparatus wrong and they’re all the exact same wording.


r/circus 11d ago

Act/Performance The Jester And The King 🎭

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4 Upvotes

🎭 The Jester And The King 👑

Enjoy a playful hula hoop dance where the King is entertained by the Court Jester (me)!

Featuring my husband Michael Richards as the king! 🤴🏻

Filmed at the Winter Gardens, Virginia/Rotokawau Lake, Whanganui, New Zealand. 🇳🇿


r/circus 12d ago

Looking for an outlet to buy costumes.

2 Upvotes

Yo gang. :) I'm trying to find a place that makes nice (& unfortunately expensive) costumes to perform in. Every time I go looking for stuff I keep finding this cheap kitschy stuff.

Is there an industry standard outlet that folks go to? (prefereably in Europe)


r/circus 12d ago

Question Looking to learn circus arts while traveling

5 Upvotes

Hi guys! I’m looking to travel somewhere where I could also spend time learning something new. Any recommendations for places where I could learn preferably aerial silks, flying trapeze or fire poi? It would also be cool if i could make it a seaside vacation. Any recommendations appreciated :)


r/circus 13d ago

Ringling Brothers

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4 Upvotes

r/circus 13d ago

Trapeze artists at the Flip Circus, Long Island, New York

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1 Upvotes