Kids from across the U.S. run away to New England to join Circus Smirkus
July 19, 2024 | By Olivia Conti | Community News Service | Photos by Gordon Miller 
Wind-up dolls, ballerinas and soldiers at an abandoned toy shop came to life in Waterbury recently in “The Imaginarium,” the latest show by Circus Smirkus at Farr’s Field. About 4,000 people came to enjoy the youth-powered circus troupe across a three-night run July 2-4, its second-ever time in town. Almost all six shows sold out, and venue owner John Farr already plans to host the circus again in 2025.
The performers brought the audience through a magical journey of kids discovering an abandoned toy store and the toys come to life.
“It's really about childlike wonder and joy, which is really fun to perform. I get to smile a lot,” said Cora Williams, 18, a third-year trouper from Brooktondale, New York, who does unicycle, partner acrobatics, chair stacking and jump rope.
Fluffy clouds and sunny skies hung over the blue and white striped Circus Smirkus tent for the July 2 afternoon show. Lines of community members excitedly awaited the start while eating blue and pink cotton candy.
Oohs and aahs filled the air as performers entered the stage under the bright lights and tent ceiling dazzling with colorful stars. Claps and cheers followed acrobatic flips, jumps across trapeze bars, tightrope walks and high-up handstands. Clowns came out and mimed funny expressions to laughter.
Circus Smirkus is a youth circus with 30 troupers, ages 10 to 18, who come from around the U.S. – 10 states this year. By the time the tour wraps up in mid-August, they will have performed 62 shows in 14 towns across five New England states over 50 days this summer. Even more participants take part in the circus’ annual summer camp in Greensboro.
Along the borders of the circular stage small children got a close view of the action, and performers made a point to interact with them during the show through their facial expressions. The same went for after the show and even during intermission.
“I go and sell concessions, and it's always my favorite part of the show, because I just love talking with the audience members and getting to know them,” said Lulu Tschider, 18, a third-year trouper from Piedmont, California.
Many troupers find the experience to be more about bonds they build from working hard toward a mutual goal.
“I think being around such a group of very supportive people and hard workers really does make you thrive in many ways,” said performer Johnathan Kamieneski, 17, from Bedford, New Hampshire. He also described Smirkus as “one big family” and loves the team effort that goes into the show.
“There's so much that goes into it,” Kamieneski said. “The audience only sees the 30 performers, but like, little did they know, if we didn't have our tent crew, we'd be performing without a tent in the rain. If we didn't have lighting, we’re performing in the dark. If we didn't have costumes, we'd be performing in our sweatpants.”
Circus Smirkus often relies on people who live in the towns it visits to host the kids in their homes.
Moretown resident Ceili Quigley found herself hosting a trouper for the first time this year. Her daughter participates in the camp and has found a “second home,” as Quigley put it. The family wanted to feel more connected to circus community, so they decided to host performers, she said.
Fellow town resident Li Li Smith and her family have hosted performers almost every year since 2012 because her husband was a part of Circus Smirkus in his childhood.
“I think it's a really special environment and such an amazing experience for kids to just be treated as having, really, something important to contribute in, to being a member of a team,” Smith said. “Nobody's extra. Everybody's needed. So I think it's a really admirable environment.”
Heather Lawson sees the same thing with her sons, Owen and Lucas Lawson-Spratley, who both perform for the circus.
Johnathan Kamieneski
Lulu Tschider
Cora Williams
“Watching the kids on stage and seeing how they light up and the joy that's just so genuine in them — that's why we just keep doing it,” said Lawson, whose family lives in Greenfield, New Hampshire.
Owen, the eldest, gained interest in circus performing when he was 6 after a friend participated in a camp and learned how to unicycle. Now 18, Owen has joined his younger brother Lucas to travel with Circus Smirkus. It is the younger’s first tour with the outfit after watching his older brother for years.
The two auditioned for this year's tour together and even have parts from their audition act in the show, which they perform together.
Circus Smirkus is set to travel around Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine this month before returning to Vermont in August for its final shows in Greensboro Aug. 15-17.
Circus Smirkus troupers and brothers Lucas and Owen Lawson-Spratley. Photo by Gordon Miller
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