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?
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