MA
After touring with the internationally acclaimed youth performance troupe Circus Smirkus, eight friends held onto a dream to create their own powerful circus shows that would connect audiences to each other, the stage, and the world. With support from family, friends, coaches, mentors, and the greater circus community, a circus collective was formed. Since its founding in 2016, Cirque Us has developed into a multifaceted organization that not only produces original full-length works, but also provides educational resources, such as camps and workshops for people of all ages and abilities. Based in New England, the Cirque Us team now draws performers, directors, educators, technicians, and choreographers from all over the United States. Over the past three years, Cirque Us has toured four theatrical circus shows, curated five benefit shows, hosted more than 20 workshops to the public, established a circus camp in New England, and performed with Circus Smirkus at the Smithsonian FolkLife Festival in Washington D.C. Our circus collective seeks to bring the most passionate, committed, and talented circus artists to the hearts of local communities, whether it’s through a performative or educational lense.
With every show, event, and production, we are creating our own genre of circus by fusing elements of both traditional and contemporary circus. While we don’t travel with a tent, we do incorporate other fundamental features of traditional circus, such as balancing our cast with aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, and clowns, writing clown gags with audience participation, and ending our shows with an uplifting message. However, unlike traditional circus, the Cirque Us cast collaboratively writes ensemble-based shows that are centered around a motif, and that rely heavily on character-work. This approach stems from contemporary circus, an artform that developed in the late 20th century, which combines technical circus skills with a character-driven approach. Our shows blur the line between traditional and contemporary circus by intertwining fast-paced, traditional acrobatics with soft, meaningful moments of ensemble interaction. We don’t shy away from clown bands, nor do we shy away from storylines that include complex characters that create a narrative arc. Thus the medium in which we work is “circus”, wherein we combine the heart and passion of traditional circus with the theatrical elements of contemporary circus.
We choose to tell our stories through circus because this multidisciplinary approach to performance not only inspires our audiences, but also inspires our company members. Training and performing circus requires immense discipline, commitment, and passion. Every member of the Cirque Us team embodies these characteristics, which helps fuel a collectively strong work ethic to create content of the highest caliber. Circus enables us to express ourselves both physically and artistically. Through this unique medium, we are able to emphasize the necessity of human connections and relationships in order to uphold community. Moreover, through circus we demonstrate that the impossible is possible, that through trust and communication we can hold one another up literally and figuratively, and that with an open mind and heart, we can be the best versions of ourselves, both on and off stage. Circus has profoundly impacted our lives, and we want to spread the “circus magic” wherever we go.
Additional Content:
Learn more about our organization!
Summer 2019
Summer 2018
Summer 2017
Summer 2016
Institution/Business Type:
Performing Group
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Year Founded:
2016
Institution/Business Type:
Performing Group
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Year Founded:
2016
Primary Discipline:
Theater - CircusAdditional Disciplines:
Activities and Services:
Populations Engaged:
Geographic Reach:
Accessibility of Services:
Professional Associations:
Professional Associations:
Awards:
Education:
Teaching Settings:
Ages Served:
Subject Areas:
Teaching Settings:
Ages Served:
Subject Areas:
NEST Eligible Artist
Technical Requirements:
Fee Range:
$2,000 - $15,000State of Residence:
MassachusettsMinimum Number of Performers:
6Maximum Number of Performers:
10