and i think to myself, what a wonderful world

A brisk 7 minute walk up 'the hill' brings one to what I consider the most beautiful spot in Smirkus territory.  Once at the top, it seems as if the whole world is visible.  The sky is huge, filled with gigantic clouds (that Emma adorably wanted to reach out and touch).  There are mountains in the distance surrounding us, making us feel protected (though according to many they're "more like big hills." I think they forget where I'm from...).  The chapiteau looks beautiful and bursts with potential, promising a summer filled with laughter and amazement.  All of this is wonderful, but it was the simple thought of a 15 year old girl that makes this hill so special to me.  Tonight as we sat staring out into the universe, considering our places in it and wondering what's to come, Una said, "I wish we could bring all the bad people in the world here. Then they could see that it really is beautiful and good." How uncomplicated it all seems sometimes.  How wonderful.

from the parent blog...

The barn was abuzz with anticipation last night as Jesse, Troy, and Tristan led one of the most magical and memorable moments of our time here so far: Show Pitch!  It went a little something like this:  Jesse raced back and forth acting out different parts, switching dialects to suggest changes in character.  Tristan played snippets of the music as troupers raised their hands eagerly, trying to guess which act the music was created for.  Staff and students alike were giggling and wiggling with each new piece of music, each character introduced, and each new secret revealed.  Of course nothing is written in stone at this point, but it was thrilling for all of us to see the show taking shape right in front of our eyes.

Tristan, our musical genius (yes, that's his official title), creates ALL of the music from scratch!  So basically, when the rest of us go to bed at night, he stays up working his tail off to come up with the perfect tunes for our tour!  Jesse and Troy are our incredible directors who, along with the coaches, come up with creative concepts for each act, and string together all of the pieces to make a fun, flowing, fantastic circus!  I can't divulge too much, but I can tell you that I was definitely WOWed by how interesting, exciting, and dynamic this show is shaping up to be!

And then, just when I thought things couldn't get more exciting... COSTUMES showed up!  Our unbelievably talented costumers Katrin and Siobhan arrived today, bringing with them sequined fedoras and neon suspenders!  As with show concepts, I'm sworn to secrecy, but the troupers are still squealing with excitement as they try on the costumes made especially for them. 

One of my favorite things about Smirkus is that precisely when I think things can't possibly get any better, they inevitably do!  So stay tuned for more show updates, hilarious antics, fun photos, and whatever shenanigans we'll get ourselves into next!

Have a wonderful week!
Dani

faith, trust, and pixie dust

from 6/18

Sitting on the porch waiting for dinner, Tex’s daughter scrambles to escape from her stroller as everyone laughs at just how adorable it is.  I make the inevitable Peter Pan comment about her desire to run away to never neverland.  I can’t remember if it was Chris or Josh who so aptly replied, “She IS in neverland.”  The realization struck... of course!  We’ve run away with the circus!  This isn’t a ‘normal’ upbringing, but it is a spectacular one.  One full of fantasy and fairy tale, pirate queens and pigtailed clowns.  This life is unlike any other... and I get to live it alongside little Hailey for a little while.  Lucky me.

Doing great.

“I’m doing great,”  Owen says with an impossibly large grin on his face.  “You’re always doing great,” the aerial coach Allison marvels. This exchange evokes a giggle from me, but it’s Owen’s perfect response that makes my heart smile: “I know,” he replies, “it’s because I’m at Smirkus.”  This perspective perfectly reflects what I love most about Owen.  He is the consummate optimist, always grateful for what he has and confident in what’s to come. 

Taking a look around, I try to use new eyes to take in my surroundings.  What feels like home is something so far from ordinary... circus tents where I spend my days, trailers where I spend my nights, kids with whom I’ll share every bit of my summer.  Currently I’m watching three teenagers spin in lyras at least 14 feet off the ground as their peers lift and lower them on a dynamic rigging system.  Earlier I clapped in amazement at a brilliant bounce juggling act with a new and astounding finale.  It’s unbelievable what these kids are capable of, how hard they work, how much they’re pushed, how talented they are.  We ask so much of them, and they do it - always rising to the occasion.  How can they work this much, be away from home, miss graduations and dances and final exams, and still be smiling and playing and taking it all in stride?  There’s really only one answer:  It’s Smirkus.

It's Just Like Comedy!

My fellow counselors and I have a blog that we keep for the troupers' parents.  Kids between 10 and 18 years old don't really take a whole lot of time to use calling cards to dial home, and when you throw in the lack of cell service and a jam packed day, they don't have much opportunity to reach out.  So the parents rely on us to relay the ins and outs of trouper life.  Of course I can't share the link here, but I wanted to copy the entry I posted today, just to give you a little taste.  I'll probably do this for the posts I write, not the ones Willow and Andrew write, unless I ask them permission first :).  And oh yeah, the picture above is the picture we posted with our first blog entry.  Hope the parents feel their kids are in good hands!! ;)

Often in the circus, some of the funniest bits come in unplanned, unexpected moments.  These bursts of funny can be born out of necessity (late entrance? broken prop? cover it up!) or out of pleasure (crowd really loving your clown act? ham it up!).  But these improvisational gems don't only happen inside the ring, they happen outside as well.  One such moment had me in stitches last night, and I thought I would share it with you all!

At council, the troupers were being briefed on media, interviews, and publicity.  For some performers, reporters are old news; but a great deal of our troupers are new and were hearing this information for the first time.  After quite a long and businesslike discussion, the room was quiet, focused, and relatively serious.  When our PR manager asked whether there were any final questions or concerns, one of our youngest and quietest troupers unexpectedly commented, "I'm only worried about outshining the rest of you!"  Her nonchalant manner and perfectly timed joke brought about fits of laughter from trouper and staff alike!  The studio immediately returned to it's normal light-hearted and playful atmosphere!  She definitely earned some high-fives for joke of the night, and we counselors knew right then and there that she is feeling comfortable and at home with her fellow troupers.  Who could ask for anything more?!

Happy Tuesday!
Dani

we've got magic to do...

We take jobs for many reasons - money, location, convenience, advancement, a challenge.  We take jobs because they serve a purpose, or because we hope they will.  Some people have hobbies outside of their work, some strive to make their hobbies into their work.  I've always found that I can only work where I love.  I have had MANY jobs, and started working at age 13.  But unless I truly adore what I'm doing, I don't last long, no matter how good the pay is.  That is the reason I've stayed at FLCT for so long.  That theatre is my family, my home, my livelihood, and what I do best.  Mainly, though, it's the only place I've found that magic which I find so crucial to the world.  That thing that so few camps and schools have - where the adults are kids and the kids are responsible and there's a blending of friendships through the ages.  But it's here, that THING that MAGIC that WONDER... it's here at the barn.  We have 10 year olds learning from 18 year olds and 13 year olds hanging with coaches. Of course there is always a perfectly maintained professionalism among all staff -- which is part of what's so incredible.  How everyone here balances wonder and whimsy with responsibility and sound mind is unique and beyond admirable. 

These kids are incredible, talented, weird, funny, special, silly, wonderful... I could go on and on.  I've run out of steam tonight (7am is new to this girl)... but words can't describe how happy I am, how at home I am, how excited I am.



Thank you, universe, for the best life I could ever imagine.

the calm before the storm

6/9

what a week! what a circus!  lots of ‘professional development’ meant watching many a smirkus dvd.  coaches, counselors, riggers, and crew wandered in and out of the studio as  we held a mini-marathon of smirkuses past.  what a pleasure to see Rob performing in some of the older shows, and see the changes from year to year.  it was a particular delight to watch the 2010 show, as a large handful of the troupers are returning this year.

willow came in yesterday - it was super exciting to meet her and start gearing up for the three of us to be working together.  rachel has been absolutely amazing, and i feel really privileged to be learning from someone who has been with smirkus for over half of it’s lifetime!  we’ve assigned the troupers bunks, decorated and placed their name tags, and  worked out some scheduling ideas for chores (theirs) and wake up/lights out duties (ours). 

Today was a rainy, rainy day!  I’ve been stomping around in my lovely rain boots and enjoying the sound of thunder.  Today was a more relaxed day, and it was wonderful to get to meet some of the coaches who’ve come in.  what an incredible bunch - performers and trainers from all over the world.  so many people here have been with ringling, cirque, big apple, etc - i feel like i’ve already learned so much!  endless wonderful stories are shared at meals and on breaks - i can’t get enough!

extra special was rob mermin coming in today.  rob is the founder of circus smirkus, and a really incredible guy.  i did a fair amount of research on him and smirkus before getting here - and that on top of the countless stories i’ve heard have really geared me up to meet him.  what really did it though was reading a little packet he put together for the staff to read (i think in 2006), lovingly entitled “memo shmemo” (along with about 4 other titles!).  Reading it made me truly feel like i’m in the right place this summer.  so many of his ideals and philosophies on life, kids, education, and art completely gel with mine.  he has a brilliant balance of idealism and realism that is so important.  he really gets that kids need to dream, they need to work hard, and they need freedom.  he gets that though this is a business, the magic of it all came first, and must remain.  he reminds me a lot of janet... if janet were a clown.

tonight i had one of those moments... one of those, ‘hey i’m juggling clubs in the attic of a barn in vermont with a circus coach just a few yards from a big top before i head on tour with 30 kids’ moments. oh, you’ve never had one of those?  :)   when i sign up for these things, they just seem like fun.  but when i get where i’m going... reality sets in.  this is incredible.  this is new and exciting and fun and life changing.  i’ve learned so much in just a few short days... and i get to do this for THREE MONTHS!  in my head i tried to liken it to what i know best (FLCT) - and realized it could compare if we cast a show of 30 kids, rehearsed at the studio for 3 weeks, and then took them on tour for 7! crazy! (hey... maybe we should... nahhhh).

a lot is new here... my sleeping patterns have certainly changed, and i’m asleep before midnight if not 11pm each night.  we have busy mornings and lovely nights... and once the troupers get here i’ll have a whole new schedule to get used to!  i really really can’t wait to meet them... after all i’ve learned about smirkus i know that i’m right for this job, and that i’m going to do my best to make sure these kids are happy, safe, and having the best summer of their lives.  after all, isn’t that why i’m here?

circus shmircus... go get a real job!

(june 7) has it only been two days?  time is nearly irrelevant this week with days full of activities and dusks that linger for hours, bringing bringing dancing fireflies and chilly summer nights.  the sky is filled with stars as we laugh and play and feel out the dynamics of this group. 

andrew, rachel, and i spent today readying trailerville, where the troupers will be staying.  the trailers are old but full of life and heavy on character.  i would love to stay in one and spent most of my time cleaning day dreaming about what it would be like to be a trouper.  these kids are having an incredible experience, i thought to myself only slightly before realizing what an incredible experience i’m also having.  we cleaned the studio out and made space for practice.  the studio is the space above the barn, used mostly for juggling practice. in my imagination i could hear the sounds of laughter and see these amazing kids learning new tricks and practicing for the show.  the studio is also where council meetings are held each night, and i am looking forward to those as well; to hear what the troupers have to say and how i can make their summer the best it can be. we started on the barn as well, clearing out old stuff, decorating, and making space for new things.  we have more work to do, but i’m super excited about the space - it’s a hang out for the troupers and i know we will create a great place for them to enjoy.  a trip into town brought willy’s general store: the biggest general store i’ve ever seen - and the only place you can rent a tuxedo and buy a bath tub! (thanks for that one, josh)!!  i resisted the call of ben & jerry’s ice cream (its the b&j capital you know) and walked with rachel and andrew over to caspian lake (NOT lake caspian!:).  Rachel took a dip but it was far too cold for this florida girl!  so i put my feet in and enjoyed the view.  the mountains in the background and the sun glistening off the lake... sure didn’t feel like work! 

after dinner hours were leisurely spent sitting in the grass getting to know one another (or reminiscing, for veteran smirkos), a little hike out to the crystal/quartz rock, and hours on the porch talking and juggling.  i love spending my time doing what i love in a new way. i love figuring out little by little what it takes to be here. i love how much everyone here loves circus. i love my little trailer and how it already feels like home. i love the barn and it’s history. i love my life.

Welcome Home

“Pay attention when you turn onto Circus Road...that in itself is one of the most magical memories a lot of us have! It means the beginning of one of the most incredible things you are about it do. Savour it!”  

Willow was right.  I couldn't keep from grinning as Rachel turned onto circus road and the next chapter of my life began.  There was a definite moment of transition to circus from, well, life before circus.  And we haven't really even started yet!  Trailers, tents going up, the pie car, the barn... no denying this is circus life.  And these are circus people.  The way I talk theatre these people talk circus.  And I love it.

The barn is gorgeous - isolated and really visually inspiring.  A mix of people here; many long time Smirkos.  There are so many sounds and voices, and a lot of laughter.  There’s a buzz about the barn, some nerves (at least on my end) and palpable excitement.  It’s the beginning of something special.  Something that’s both old and new, full of traditions but ever-changing.  And I’m a part of it... and I’m so grateful.  It’s totally awesome and totally exciting.  It’s totally Smirkus.