Name: John Stubbs, 16
School: Paideia
Accomplishments: This young performer is one of an elite
group of 30 selected by audition to share the ring with professional artists in the Circus Smirkus Summer Big Top Tour. He was chosen out of hundreds, first for his performance on video tape, and then in a live try-out session judged by professional circus performers and trainers.
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John, who is touring as a clown this summer with the tent show, had his first brush with the circus arts at 12 when he attended Circus Smirkus Camp and learned to juggle. Today his signature
act is walking on the high wire while reading a newspaper.
Before the troupers hit the road, they spend the first three weeks with professionals who train, coach and help them develop their acts. Then for the next seven weeks the team performs 70 shows throughout the New England states entertaining more than 50,000 fans.
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Experiencing the challenges of the circus, kids from all walks of life and many different countries from ages 10 to 18 train, do daily chores and help load the Big Top in and out. The traveling caravan of 23 includes equipment trucks, trailers, bunk quarters, vans, pickup trucks and a cookhouse all to serve the extended family of coaches,
counselors, cooks, musicians and tent crew.
John’s cousin, who recently signed a contract with Ringling Brothers as a clown, helped him choreograph his act for the audition video, said John. Performers are assessed on their strength, acrobatic ability and stage presence.
He began taking tap dancing lessons at the age of seven at Decatur School of Ballet and is a member of the Jr. Rhythm Keepers and the Rug Cutters, a swing dance company.
John is a straight-A student and says literature is his favorite subject. He is on the Ultimate Frisbee team, plays basketball and swims.
Although he’s not sure the circus is in his future, about half of the kids participating in the program will go onto professional performance schools, he said.
To date 35 youngsters have signed contracts with Ringling Brothers, Big Apple Circus, Cirque du Soleil and other venues since the non-profit organization was founded in 1987. Circus Smrikus ticket sales have raised more than $2.1 million for groups who sponsor a show.
