Circus Smirkus 2024 Big Top Tour Presents "The Imaginarium" at Cheshire Fairgrounds

The 37th annual Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour presents four shows of "The Imaginarium" at the Cheshire Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 13 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, July 14 at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Circus Smirkus, a nonprofit arts and education organization, based in Greensboro, Vt. was founded in 1987. Their mission is "to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus, and to inspire youth to engage in life-changing adventures in the circus arts through three principal programs: the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, Smirkus Camp, and Smirkus School Residency programs." Their shows are the most beloved New England summer events, Circus Smirkus is the only traveling 'tented' youth circus in the United States. A freshly auditioned company of Smirkus troupers, ages 10 to 18, take to the road each summer in traditional mud show fashion for a two-month performance tour of New England. According to publicity materials, Circus Smirkus gives troupers the full experience of touring in a classic traveling tent show, including a complete immersion in circus life. They endure rigorous training, daily chores and the loading in and loading out of the Big Top, a 750-seat European-style, one-ring big top tent. Their numbers say it all: 30 troupers, present 63 shows over 7 weeks in 6 states. There will be 23 vehicles used in the tour caravan along with 11 professional circus coaches and a total of 70 people will be in the traveling circus troupe, including: cooks, tent and technical crew and musicians who perform an original score each year. Approximately 38,000 patrons are expected to attend the Big Top Tour 2024 summer series. "The Imaginarium" Step into a world of whimsy and wonder, as Circus Smirkus celebrates playfulness, discovery and childlike curiosity. A magical toy shop comes to life with tumbling teddy bears, high-flying marionettes and a very mischievous Jack-in-the-Box, in this awe-inspiring and laughter-filled production. The show will feature a vast array of circus arts — including aerials, acrobatics, juggling and clowning — a dazzling display of brilliant costumes, and many other surprises. The 30 budding circus stars (troupers) in the 2024 troupe are ages 11 to 18. The troupers hail from 10 states including: 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). In an email to The Keene Sentinel, Rachel Schiffer, executive and artistic director of Circus Smirkus explains, "Circus is important today because it offers everyone an escape from the fast-paced lifestyles many of us live in while offering an alternative that to me feels more authentic, intentional and meaningful. Circus teaches commitment, cooperation, team building, without the stress of competition. And for the audience, watching circus highlights the talent these kids have and their ability to create a world in which youthful joy and optimism is possible." When asked if Circus Smirkus offers scholarships to the troupers, Schiffer says, "Circus Smirkus offers a range of scholarship assistance to troupers to ensure that finances aren't a barrier for kids seeking to pursue a dream and set out on an adventure, and this is a big part of our fundraising goals over the year. This year 45% of our troupers were granted scholarships and we hope to maintain and increase that level of support in the future." When asked what is meant by "passion of a shared dream," in their news release, Schiffer says, "It's what gets the circus down the road. Circus is hard work, and to be committed to it means to love it. This is true for staff just as much as it is true for the artists and performers. When everyone has a common goal; a shared passion; a shared dream, it makes the impossible possible." Are the troupers pursuing professional circus careers? Schiffer answers, "11 years old is young to know what you want to be when you grow up but some of our troupers, younger and older alike, do aspire to become professional artists and Smirkus can be a stepping stone and learning ground for those kids." "One more thing to point out that is unique about Smirkus is that we are not a circus school. While troupers learn a lot while they are here, the focus is on performing and building a show rather than building a new cache of tricks or technique. The focus is on the experience of the adventure and that builds life skills that can be translated into any profession they choose down the road," adds Schiffer. What does Schiffer hope the audience will take away from these four shows in Swanzey, she says, "I hope Swanzey audiences will be surprised by what they didn't expect and feel a connection to the troupers in the ring. This year's show is a throwback to tradition, nostalgia, childlike joy and fun. This show is truly for all ages. It captures the imagination of children, but for adults it also provides a reminder that we all have the capacity to dream and take that forward into the world." SHOW DETAILS Circus Smirkus The 2024 Big Top Tour presents "The Imaginarium" at Cheshire Fairgrounds 247 Monadnock Hwy., in Swanzey, New Hampshire, for 4 shows: on Saturday, July 13 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, July 14 at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Note: there are no animal acts in these performances. For more information on Cheshire Fairgrounds, visit http://www.cheshirefair.org/ For more information on Circus Smirkus, visit www.smirkus.org