Have you ever wanted to join the circus? For 70 years, Sarasota students have had that chance.
The Sailor Circus is trademarked as the “The Greatest Little Show on Earth.” It opened in 1949 and is the longest-running youth circus in the country.
This week, students celebrate the circus’ 70th anniversary with a new show and a newly renovated arena. The show's theme is a trip through the circus’ 70-year history.
Pine View High School senior Grace Johnson has been part of the circus since seventh grade.
“When you are in the Sailor Circus it’s not just an after-school activity; it becomes a part of your life,” says Johnson.
Students train 20-30 hours per week. It’s seen as a sport for students between fourth and 12th grade in Sarasota County schools.
“Sailor Circus and circus arts are a meld of athletics and performing arts,” says Jennifer Mitchell, executive vice president of Circus Art Conservatory.
This month, the Circus Arts Conservatory completed a one-year long, $4.5 million renovation of the iconic arena.
Mitchell says, “With new seating, new restrooms, new performance floor, new lighting and sound and most notably air conditioning.”
Johnson says, “It’s quieter. We don’t have box fans blowing.”
Performers don’t have to worry about sweaty hands anymore.
“Before it was, 'Just catch it, catch it, catch it….don’t fall.' Now that we’re not worried about slipping it’s easier to focus on how it looks,” adds Johnson.
The students put on quite a show. From juggling acts to the high-wire act, these students are true circus performers. The skills they learn help them perform outside of the ring.
Johnson says, “I learned I do well under pressure. Self-reliance, dedication, the power of the phrase ‘I can.’”
And with the new renovations, future students will have the chance to see they “can” too.
Mitchell says, “It’s important to do that here in Sarasota, the epicenter of the circus. We’re not only preserving our heritage, we’re preserving it for future generations.
Johnson will be an honor student at FSU where they, too, have a circus. She says she will be working with the school’s provost and the former director of Circus de Soleil on writing her own curriculum.
Her career plans are to be a producer for Circus de Soleil.
A Sailor Circus spokesperson says some of their students have gone to work in the circus, some have worked with aerialist Nik Wallenda.
The Sailor Circus spring performance starts Thursday-Saturday and again next weekend Thursday- Saturday, April 25-27. There is also a summer camp for students interested in giving the circus a try.
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