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Updated 3/13/2024

Circus Smirkus

  • Vermont

    VT

Institution/Business Type: Performing Group

Circus Smirkus gives kids a chance to run away and join the circus with their parents' blessings. Since 1987, we have provided a format for youths and adults to collaborate in life-enhancing adventures in the circus arts. CIRCUS SMIRKUS BIG TOP TOUR: Our summer Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour showcases the best young talent in the Circus Arts today, selected by audition to share the ring with professional circus artists. It's a complete immersion in circus life, including rigorous training, daily chores, loading in and loading out the Big Top, and performing in over 60 shows in 14 towns in just seven weeks! Circus Smirkus is presented in most towns by a local non-profit youth or community organization. The ticket sales and sponsorships they raise through our performances provide a major source of income for their programs. Since our founding in 1987, we have raised over $2.1 million for our presenters. CIRCUS SMIRKUS RESIDENCIES: Our Smirkus School Residencies are led by one of our experienced coaches, each of whom has specialized training in circus arts and experience in performing and teaching students, faculty, and staff. In-school and After-school residencies emphasize goal setting and enhancing life and learning skills through circus arts. We provide all the equipment necessary to teach basic circus skills and a curriculum package of circus-themed lesson plans.. Also available: Assembly programs, Summer programs, and One-day programs. Residency rates vary depending on the number of students and distance from Circus Smirkus. We are currently booking for the current and next school year.

Find Me

Rachel Schiffer (she.her)
Job Title: Executive Artistic Director
Phone: 802-533-7443
Fax: 802-533-2480
Address:
1 Circus Road
Greensboro, VT 05841

Social Media:

Additional Content:

  • Documentary Trailer on Circus Smirkus

    This is a trailer of a documentary produced by Signe Taylor who traveled with the 2006 Tour and filmed the process of what it takes to create the magic that happens under the Smirkus Big Top each summer.

  • Circus Smirkus

    Video Clips of the Circus Smirkus tour

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Nonprofit - Independent

Year Founded:

1987

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Nonprofit - Independent

Year Founded:

1987

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Multi-Disciplinary

Additional Disciplines:

  • Multi-Disciplinary

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Arts Instruction / Lessons
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
  • Residency - In School
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 75

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Artists
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Immigrant Populations
  • LGBTQ Populations
  • Nonprofits
  • People with Disabilities
  • Rural Populations
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Youth-At-Risk

Languages Available:

  • English

Geographic Reach:

  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region
  • State
  • Multi-State Region

Accessibility of Services

Accessibility of Services:

  • Access accommodations for people who use a wheelchair and have limited mobility

Media Gallery

A photo of the Smirkus Big Top under the night sky
NBC Nightly News

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • American Youth Circus Organization’s Social Circus Network

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • American Youth Circus Organization’s Social Circus Network

Awards

Awards:

  • Vermont Arts Council Award of Excellence Award Merit and Lund Center “It Takes a Village” AwardVermont Chamber of Commerce - Top Ten Summer Event and MomÂ’s Top Picks for KidsSmirkus wins “Bessie Award” for excellence in our field
  • Circus Now - Community Impact Award

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Designated Arts Community:

  • Vermont Creative Region Member - Northeast Kingdom Creative Region

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - Physical Education
  • Theater

Fee range:

$1,000 - $5,000

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - Physical Education
  • Theater

Fee range:

$1,000 - $5,000

State Arts Agency Roster Artist

  • Vermont Teaching Artist Roster

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • Technical requirements can be obtained by contacting us at tour@smirkus.org and we can send you the list of technical requirements via e-mail.

Fee Range:

$9,450 - $9,800

State of Residence:

Vermont

Minimum Number of Performers:

30

Maximum Number of Performers:

30