Joining the circus is exciting but demanding. Those born into it have an advantage, but others can acquire circus skills through training programs or apprenticeships. Circus life involves touring and living conditions can be draining, but traveling circus schools offer a chance to experience it while receiving training.
Many people have fantasized about joining the circus at some point in their lives, but very few people actually follow through, let alone succeed. Working in a circus can be exciting and very rewarding, but it is also a highly demanding, precise and tiring job that can put a lot of strain on performers and support staff, and not everyone is a good fit. People who want to join the circus need to be prepared to put in a lot of work and explore a lot of options.
The classic way to join the circus is to be born into it. Children of circus members usually start learning circus arts at a very young age, and many of them end up joining family members in the profession. Some circuses have famous dynasties, with members coming from a long line of circus performers. Being born in the circus also comes with a distinct advantage, as circus culture is famously outside.
For people not born into the circus tradition, the best way to get into the circus is to acquire circus skills and then apply them to circuses. Many colleges and training facilities have circus arts programs where people can learn a wide variety of skills. People can also choose to focus on a specific facet of the circus arts, such as trapeze or clowning. Many of these institutions have relationships with existing circuses and can sometimes be used to find a job after graduation.
It is also possible to join the circus as an apprentice, learning skills on the job. This is most common with the support team who handle everything from setting up tents to traveling onwards to negotiating contracts and publicizing the circus. People who want to apprentice in the circus arts are generally expected to demonstrate some aptitude, and a background in the performing arts, gymnastics, and related fields will be extremely helpful for applicants who want to be taken seriously.
Circuses are fixed and on tour, circuses being the most common. People who join the circus must be prepared for many trips and for living conditions that can be quite varied. Most performers live in trailers and camps on circus premises, and the lifestyle can be very draining after a few years of touring with the circus. The circus is also highly demanding physically, as there are normally several performances every day and performers must be at their physical peak.
Several traveling circus schools offer people the opportunity to see what it’s like to live and work in a touring circus while receiving training. For those who want to join the circus but want to get a feel for what life is like, this could be a great option. Many of these schools also have connections in the circus world, and students who develop and demonstrate considerable talent may be faced with numerous job offers after graduation.
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