Circus Smirkus ‘Imaginarium’ heads to Waterbury with six shows, July 2-4
June 19, 2024 | By Lisa ScagliottiPeople queue-up to enter Circus Smirkus at Farr’s Field in Waterbury in 2023. File photo by Gordon Miller
The 37th annual Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour is getting ready to travel New England this summer with opening performances at its Circus Barn in Greensboro followed by its first stop on the road in Waterbury with six shows, July 2-4.
Saturday, June 29, in Greensboro will have shows at 1 and 6 p.m. These will be the first of 62 performances in 14 towns across five states spanning 50 days of summer, according to Circus Smirkus headquarters.
For the second year, Waterbury performances will take place at Farr’s Field on U.S. Route 2. Shows are scheduled for 1 and 6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, July 2-4.
2024 tour poster image courtesy of Circus Smirkus
Last year, Circus Smirkus brought its tour to Waterbury for the first time, ending its longtime run in Montpelier as a Central Vermont stop on the tour.
This summer, the only other Vermont venue for a Big Top stop besides Greensboro and Waterbury will be Bombardier Park in Milton, Tuesday-Thursday, July 9-11. The tour closes in Greensboro as well, Aug. 15-17. The tour travels to perform in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut in between.
As always, the tour has a unique theme. This year it’s titled “The Imaginarium.”
Marketing Director Genevieve Martineau says the story is bound to delight circus-goers of all ages. “It's a magical toy store that comes to life!” she said.
The tour preview promises “tumbling teddy bears, high-flying marionettes, and a very mischievous Jack-in-the-Box.”
Circus Smirkus performed in Waterbury for the first time in 2023. File photo by Gordon Miller
Performing under the big top is the Smirkus troupe consisting of 30 budding circus stars ages 11 to 18 who hail from 10 states: California (10), Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (5), Maryland (2), New Hampshire (4), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Rhode Island (3) and Wisconsin (2).
Circus Smirkus says it’s the only traveling “tented” youth circus in the United States as performances happen under a traditional European-style circus tent. Smirkus performances feature a variety of circus arts including aerials, acrobatics, juggling and clowning, with the cast wearing brilliant costumes and using many props. Smirkus notes that it does not involve any animals in its repertoire.
Smirkus officials say that transporting the people, supplies, tent and all the circus gear and equipment requires a caravan of some 23 vehicles. The staff on the tour number 80 people—performers, coaches, cooks, tech and tent crew, and even a circus band that plays the show’s original score live at every performance. By mid-August, it will wrap up having entertained approximately 40,000 patrons, according to Smirkus organizers.
Volunteers needed
Circus Smirkus traditionally relies on volunteers in the communities it visits for performances to assist with a variety of tasks to help things go smoothly and keep costs down. Most roles are for individuals age 18 and older (kids 12 and up may distribute programs). All volunteers get free admission to watch the show they attend. Roles for volunteers include: assisting with parking, taking tickets, handing out programs, ushers and “front of house” helpers needed for a variety of tasks. More information about volunteering is on the Circus Smirkus website including an online signup.
Based in Greensboro, Circus Smirkus was founded in 1987 as a nonprofit arts and education organization focused on promoting the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus. Youth participants can learn the circus arts through three Circus Smirkus programs: the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, Smirkus Camp, and Smirkus School Residency opportunities.
Tickets
Kids ages 2-12, $25; ages 13 and older, $40; kids under are free. Circus Smirkus advises attendees to purchase tickets in advance online or by calling 1-877-SMIRKUS. A complete tour schedule along with details about the 2024 troupe members, Circus Smirkus history, photos, and ticketing are online at smirkus.org.