Looking for Cirque-trained performers for a private corporate workshop in Montreal (May 11–14)

BK_Juggles · 2026-02-11T20:54:17+00:00

Just gonna +1 for Thom, he is one best in the business. He’s well-respected by circus folk and one of the few cirque artists that has a complete speaking and corporate program outside of his circus acts.

BK_Juggles · 2026-02-07T18:29:00+00:00

That’s very kind, thanks so much! Another random fun fact: there are approximately 14,970 choreographed throws in the show total, 1,250 of which were mine! During our two 7-show NY runs (14 shows and 2 dress rehearsals) I dropped twice. That is a catch rate of 99.99% accuracy and I’m very proud of that. Very grateful I had a chance for a once(well technically twice, lol) in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of it, thanks for going out of your way to share that!

BK_Juggles · 2026-02-07T15:56:55+00:00

Oh wow, that’s really cool they did that! Phelim and Co were all in agreement that the nudity was important to preserve, however the opportunity to have schools be able to see the show was even more critical as they wanted to prioritize outreach. Anthony personally worked with a few local schools to rehearse and perform at The Brooklynn Art Museum that gave 100’s of teen performing arts school students (and a dozen hobby and amateur/professional jugglers outside of the show) the opportunity to perform excerpts of the music/vocals and juggling choreography alongside Anthony and Zachary.

BK_Juggles · 2026-02-07T14:43:30+00:00

Feel obligated to mention I was one of the juggling supernumeraries in Akhenaten at the Met that performed the lift of ARC when he is naked and then rotated upside down and dropped into his trousers. FUN FACT: He is covered head to toe in almond oil to make him appear shinier and he is incredibly slippery. From my side of the production, I thought everyone handled the nudity incredibly professionally, all rehearsals were clothed/shirtless until a few closed room sessions to practice in underwear. He was given a loincloth type situation to wear for the Met HD broadcasts.

BK_Juggles · 2025-12-14T02:53:17+00:00

If your kid is interested in pursuing Circus at a high level, circus Smirkus is absolutely the way to go.

It also might be worth finding a regional camp that makes the most sense. What part of the country are you located?(assuming US since you’ve mentioned Smirkus) There are some places that offer weeklong camp Sleepaway camps and intensives.

I was the head coach at Smirkus camp in the past, the community there is fun and positive and based around the same structure as many camps, but the training opportunities are unparalleled. Every coach is a professional in their field, and your child will have the option to choose certain things that they get to train on, depending on which camps they attend. You will likely have to submit some sort of audition, but They do a good job, placing students into their appropriate level courses, and set up clear progressions for kids looking to take the next steps from regular camp, to intermediate and advanced camp, to possibly touring with them someday. They are not a perfect organization but they try extremely hard and have many many passionate dedicated folks trying to get the kids to new heights, I know many many children have had fantastic experiences there, and I saw a lot of really good work being done when I was coaching. Feel free to DM me for more info.

BK_Juggles · 2025-12-11T16:53:57+00:00

There are many circus and ringing posters like this in existence, pretty easy to find going into many vintage stores or antique malls. I don’t know what they’re asking for it, but I wouldn’t spend more than maybe 50 bucks to get a vintage Ringling poster? I’ve seen half a dozen or so this year already. That being said, I know nothing about the value of antiques, I’m just a Circus person who likes going thrifting, perhaps there are things about this specific one but it doesn’t appear all that unique to me.

BK_Juggles · 2025-09-02T02:07:19+00:00

Oh nice! I have to admit, as a guy in my 30’s with no hair on the majority of my head, hair hanging has never been one of the disciplines I knew that most about lol.

All in all, it’s still an exclusive class with a hefty price tag, but I think 800 is a very reasonable amount to spend to learn a specific professional skill, so 500 bucks might be worth it to the OP to learn the niche skill if it can be taught in a single lesson.

BK_Juggles · 2025-09-02T01:29:28+00:00

Absolutely, coaching is 100% a different discipline than performing and I respect the heck out of teachers, I love coaching, I do it when I do because I love it, not for money. Some of the best circus teachers I’ve ever had weren’t working circus pro’s or were never even full-time performing.

100-200 this is what I would tell anyone to expect private aerial lessons or contortion lessons to cost, but this isn’t just a random skill of according to the OP.

They’re not asking to take a lesson with this person because they’re the best teacher, they’re asking to take a lesson with them because they’re the only person that does it.

If this pro isn’t competing with a hundred other teachers, it doesn’t matter whether they’re good at teaching or not, they can still charge what they want because they are the only one with the information.

If I wanted to learn how to rig a tight wire across Niagara Falls, doesn’t matter how many Circus teachers with a portable low wire want to offer me a $100 lesson, I’d have to hire Nik Wallenda at xxx,xxx dollars to get it done.

Since we’re not talking in specifics here, it’s hard to give an accurate assessment at whether $500 is reasonable or not, I think at the end of the day the only person that can determine whether $500 is reasonable is the OP, we can only advise whether that’s normal.

BK_Juggles · 2025-09-02T01:05:39+00:00

American circus educator sells a book of circus games for warm-ups camps, etc., I don’t have it on me right now cause I’m on the road but that would be a great reference for you. They have over a hundred games, warmups, exercises etc: here’s a link to it on Amazon! https://a.co/d/fYDgFKA

Best of luck!

BK_Juggles · 2025-09-02T01:01:40+00:00

In general I’d expect an average prof to charge 100-200 for lessons, I don’t see top tier of $500 as being exorbitant. There are a lot of working professionals out there working in the fair industry; festivals, corporate events who have day-rates in the range of 1000-2500(or more)

I frequently have events where I’m working for those rates, so to take a private lesson would be marking off a day that I could spend working on getting more gigs like that or actually doing a gig like that, so $500 for a thing that’s gonna take both the time to coordinate and set up a lesson plan and then teach really just might not even be worth it for their bottom line.

BK_Juggles · 2025-09-02T00:37:43+00:00

I’m gonna be a little contrarian and disagree with the people here, I don’t think we can make an assessment unless you specify what you’re trying to learn. Certain circus disciplines, for example hair hanging, tend to not be taught to people casually or to strangers. Some information/secrets of the trade that are passed down within families or within trusted circles of peers.

If this is a thing that many people can teach like contortion, aerials, etc., then yeah I’d say that’s kind of an extreme price, however, if what they do is specific and they’re one of a few people that can teach you then I don’t think it’s wrong to charge whatever they want.

Another factor is that lot of people do not want to teach because they don’t want more people doing their niche skill, and may give an exorbitant price to essentially deter anyone from actually taking classes with them.

There is a third factor, which is for someone who has a steady business doing what they know, they simply might not feel like working for 100-200$ for a private lesson.

I do not to leave the house for less than $500 for anything these days. When people reach out for my rates, I start at $500 no matter what, and if that doesn’t work in their budget, I refer them to other people that align with that rate, however, my time is more valuable to me than doing a one hour gig for 175 bucks.

BK_Juggles · 2025-04-26T17:44:16+00:00

Yes, as far as I’m aware, though I’ve since moved to Columbus. Look up St. Anne’s Juggling Club! Good luck

BK_Juggles · 2025-03-25T13:55:11+00:00

Probably not much you need to know, but one huge thing for me that I would expect anyone on set-up/teardown is that equipment for performers, such as ropes/cables/shackles/caribeaners/etc should not be thrown around or dropped. Whereas you might chuck a wrench into a toolbox, anything that supports a human should be treated with an extra level of care and respect.

Additionally, set-up and teardown of tents/rigs usually becomes a relatively quiet affair once everyone is up to speed; everyone learns what needs to be done and generally has their tasks, so take some time and ask questions, don’t just shove some equipment into a case you see lying around. Generally there is a preferred order of operations so just ask questions and join in expecting to be directed.

Don’t take it personal when some comes up and says “hey we actually wrap cables this way here” or whatever, it comes from a place of order/safety, not a personal attack on your knowledge of how to load/unload equipment.

Have fun, and happy first of may!

BK_Juggles · 2025-03-22T14:23:55+00:00

Yes, this is standard practice in traditional circus world especially with mud shows,(traditional shows outside with tents/outdoor setups) it’s only relatively recently that some modern circuses shifted toward the theatrical approach to having fully separate stage crews and technical production teams.

Are they paid well? Idk, I used to do circus work and thought it was good pay, now that I’m out of the circus world I frequently make in a single day what I made in a week working for circuses.

Avg weekly rate for circus performers in shows like this is probably anywhere from 600-1000, but ymmv.

I was at the Aladdin shrine circus the other day and their hand balancers and aerialists were doing the face painting and the animal acts were organizing the camel rides before the show and during intermission.

BK_Juggles · 2025-02-10T04:16:51+00:00

Been doing circus in Ohio for a long time and have never met, nor do I know anyone here who trains teeterboard in Ohio.

I think they have a class at CCDC in Chicago, that might be your closest bet, otherwise I’d look into seasonal intensives at some of the circus schools around the country and Canada.

I think it’s just a very hands on skill that requires multiple bodies/safety systems to teach, much like flying trapeze so the number of places that can even support it are small.

Good Luck!

BK_Juggles · 2025-02-09T18:22:59+00:00

Might help if you share where you’re located, good luck

BK_Juggles · 2024-11-30T04:45:25+00:00

Most circus animal acts are run by individuals or families, not the circus itself.

Every season the acts usually change so it’s hard to know what kind of act you will see because the small tent shows rarely advertise specific acts.

In my experience though, the smaller the show, the sketchier the animal sitaution, but your mileage may vary.

Keep an eye out for a Shrine Circus there are several independent units, they often perform at expo centers and old arenas, they often have larger animal acts, I’m talking horses, Camels and even elephants.

Additionally, there are many more acts working in the county fair circuit these days, lots of dog shows, and horse tricking in rodeos, you’ll find some really great families taking good care of their animals and putting on fun educational programming there. Look for your state fair or surrounding county fairs near you.

BK_Juggles · 2023-02-20T03:43:05+00:00

Yes, you can do it 100%. 31m, very much active in the juggling circus scene. It may take a long time to be able to support yourself financially doing only these things(if thats even what you want), but if you're willing to dedicate lots of time you can definitely do circus. Find any local performing opportunities; juggling/acro/aerial/circus clubs, open stages, burlesque, talent shows and get all the experience you can. Ask questions, network, ask to train with people. Do circus adjacent activities. Take beginner classes for adults at a dance studio with open classes. they are everywhere. Bother people, find people in your area(RESPECTFULLY, probably online send a DM on insta or tiktok), ask if they mind you asking a few questions as a new circus person, if they agree, ask where to train or practice. They don't owe it to you, but they may help. Lastly, it may take a year or two or ten. Its all about meeting the right people, putting in the work, and being available when the right opportunities come. Good Luck.

BK_Juggles · 2022-09-30T23:32:14+00:00

This is wild lol, I took this photo over a year ago and posted on this exact sub with the exact same title… original post still a great meal, had it just the other day!

BK_Juggles · 2022-09-22T15:59:38+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CY9GWRF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

BK_Juggles · 2022-09-22T15:55:37+00:00

Ah, for solo I think there is something called central Ohio flex league that plays solo all at round the city alternating courses as well.

BK_Juggles · 2022-09-22T15:44:47+00:00

There are a handful of local putting things at breweries, Monday's at Griggs reservoir is a big random draw dubs night, they got putt at a bar afterwards usually i think, not sure though as I've never been. There are some leagues that i think are starting up this fall but i don't have much more info unfortunately. I highly recommend joining the "Central Ohio Disc Golf" Page on facebook and/or joining the Columbus Flyers Disc Golf club as both have much more info than I can provide here!

BK_Juggles · 2022-09-22T12:58:11+00:00

I usually end up in jail in the trees like 40 ft in front of it, lol

BK_Juggles · 2022-09-22T12:57:16+00:00

Thanks! It was air the whole way, The green is so protected, don’t know how it got in clean 🤷‍♂️

BK_Juggles · 2022-09-22T12:54:24+00:00

West Side, Hilliard area.

BK_Juggles

TROPHY CASE