How to Join the Circus
P. T. Barnum called his circus “The Greatest Show on Earth;” it was a cause for celebration everytime the circus was around. Performances and stunts rarely seen became things that people looked forward to and enjoyed. If you want to spend your time in the limelight and entertain people with your skills and talents, you can try joining the circus.
Circus Talents
Circuses are a group of talented performers who entertain a live audience with stunts and performances shown in a very spectacular fashion. Circuses often travel to different places in caravans or trains for touring events; they usually perform under giant tents, although event venues, grandstands, and sports arenas are now common places to stage a circus.
If you have the talent for one of the many available jobs in a circus, you may want to consider joining one to entertain people all over the country. If your circus troupe is sucessful, you may even have an opportunity Here are some of the performers and personnel needed to make a circus successful:
Animal Trainers and Handlers
Elephants, lions, tigers, bears, and horses are just some of the many animals you’ll find in the circus. Circus animals are specially trained to perform in public. Animals are usually trained in special, humane facilities by experts in circus performances and monitored by humane associations and animal behavior experts. Some circuses, though, may not allow animals in the circus performance.
Stunt Performers
Firebreathers, tightrope and stilt walkers, contortionists, trampoline performers, trapeze artists, and acrobats all perform specialized stunts that test the limits of the body. Most stunt performers have a natural talent for the stunts they pull off, although some of them may take years of practice to perfect the craft of their stuntwork.
Entertainers
The circus is all about fun, wholesome entertainment. Besides animal performances and acrobatic stunts, circuses also feature entertainers like clowns and dancers. Ringmasters are the “hosts” of the circus, introducing the animal and stunt performers and entertainers as they appear. Some “freak acts” have been used in circuses in the past, but are now gradually being removed from the line-up of circuses for humanitarian reasons.
Roustabout
A team of roustabouts work behind the scenes of circuses. They accomplish many tasks like drive the caravans around, take care of the performers’ needs, and set up the circus venues. You can think of roustabouts as the backbone of the circus; without them, the circus cannot proceed smoothly.
Life in the Circus
While the circus may be the greatest show on Earth, circus performers live a life full of traveling, training, practice, and danger. Circuses travel in caravans, which means that quarters can be cramped. Circuses with animals may also pose some danger to the health and well-being of circus performers. Circus life can also take its toll on your family and personal life. The pay for a circus performer is reasonable, though; if you make it big, you can make a comfortable living from it.
The circus is a fantastic place to perform stunts and amazing tricks to captivate audience members of all ages. With these tips, you can find your place in the circus and join in the greatest show on Earth.