On this week's episode, Josh and Lyndsay talk about the final performances of Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, their latest updates on the virtual reality Kickstarter campaign, lessons circus artists can take from playwright collectives, and finally Josh interviews circus artist and vlogger, Lea Toran Jenner. Lea and her partner are currently performing aduo cyr wheel act at the Moulin Rouge, she previously won a bronze medal at the Cirque De Demain Festival in Paris, and she creates daily Youtube videos about her day to day life. If you enjoy the episode please share it with your friends and rate us on iTunes. Have a great week!
David Lewis Hammarstom's new book on the history of Ringling
Tickets to the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus: Cardboard and Ducktape Spectacular
On this week’s episode, Josh and Lyndsay sit down with the hilarious Jimmy Slonina. It would be hard not to envy Jimmy’s career as clown and actor, he’s worked on four different Cirque Du Soleil shows, toured the world with the rockstar P!NK, and originated clown characters for the Las Vegas water show, Le Reve. If you enjoyed this week’s episode with Jimmy, please rate us on iTunes and share the podcast with your friends! Have a great week!
Show Notes:
• [04:22] Jimmy’s falls in love with theatre
• [12:00] Jimmy on studying acting in high school and college
• [17:15] Becoming a clown in Chicago
• [22:02] The Le Reve Creation
• [33:49] Kooza and different styles of clowning
• [38:42] The story behind Jimmy’s Lip-sync Videos
• [42:30] Clowning in a rock show with P!NK
• [51:16] Whats next for Jimmy?
• [53:46] Advice for aspiring clowns and actors
People Mentioned:
Robin McFarquhar
Jeff & Julie Jenkins
Voki Kalfayan
Franco Dragone
Show Notes: HIDEAWAY Podcast Show Notes
Episode 16- Josh & Lyndsay on Slumber, Smirkus, and why they hate their computer
People Mentioned:
Richard Kennison
Circus Smirkus
Laurie Hagen
House of Yes
Episode 14- Christian Stoinev, fifth generation circus performer
Christian Stoinev is a fifth generation circus artist who performs an unbelievable handstand act with his chihuahua, Scooby! You may have seen him as a finalist on last season’s America’s Got Talent. Josh & Lyndsay called up Christian to talk about his career, training your pets to learn circus tricks, and life growing up in the circus. If you enjoy the show, please share it with your friends and rate us on iTunes. Have a great week!
• [05:41] - Life growing up in the circus
• [13:45] - How Scooby (the chihuahua) became a circus dog
• [18:15] - Training Percy to replace Scooby
• [23:08] - Christian does America’s Got Talent
• [36:34] - The impact of a traditional university on a circus kid
• [39:10] - Why Christian is heading to Los Angeles
Christian’s act on America’s Got Talent: https://youtu.be/TwNTJsCvT2c
Christian’s Recommendations:
Cirque Du Soleil
Le Reve
Josh and Lyndsay phone up Katherine Kavanagh, circus critic and journalist at the Circus Diaries. Based primarily in the UK, Katherine has spent the last few weeks in the US researching American circus companies and culture. We talk about contemporary circus, how to write about it, and trends in the industry. If you enjoy the episode please rate us on iTunes and share it with your friends and community. Have a great week!
Show Notes:
• [06:42] - Kathrine gets a UK government grant to visit the US
• [08:35] - What’s the Circus Diaries?
• [10:30] - The challenges of writing about circus
• [15:46] - Why do we need circus criticism to exist
Katherine’s Recommendations:
Book: Semiotics of the Circus
Show: Circumfrence’s Shelter Me
Show: Crash Mat Collective’s Facade
Jack Marsh, the artistic director of Circus Flora, joins Josh & Lyndsay by phone. We had a great a time talking with Jack about Circus’s Flora’s current season and what it’s like to collaborate with your parents. If you enjoy the show, please share it with your friends and rate us on iTunes. You can send your questions and guest suggestions to hello@hideawaycircus.com. Thanks!
Show Notes:
• [02:55] - The history of Circus Flora
• [06:35] - Jack joins the circus at age one
• [09:03] - Running away from the circus to become a lawyer
• [12:56] - Circus Flora plays baseball
• [19:54] - Writing a circus show with your parent
• [23:41] - Communicating your NFP Circus needs public support
• [25:21] - Jack’s artistic influences
People mentioned for further reference:
Circus Flora, St. Louis Arches, Circus Harmony, Big Apple Circus, Circus Vargas, Circus Sarasota, Shayna Swanson, Aloft
Jack’s Recommendations:
Book: The Sell Out
TV Show: Broad City
Show: Universal Circus
Episode 11- Uuve Jansson, award-winning swinging trapeze artist
On today’s episode Josh and Lyndsay called up Swedish circus artist Uuve Jansson. Uuve is a world renowned trapeze artist who won a Gold Medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain and previously starred in Cirque Du Soleil’s IRIS, Dralion, and Alegria. If you enjoy our conversation with Uuve, please share the podcast with your friends on Facebook and please rate us on iTunes. Have a great week!
Show Notes:
• [11:59] - Uuve starts her circus career with her parents
• [14:15] - The difference between swing trapeze and other kinds
• [16:50] - Are there a lot of opportunities to do trapeze?
• [19:56] - Uuve conquers a fear of heights
• [22:45] - Uuve goes to circus school
• [27:00] - A day in the life of an artist at Cirque Du Soleil
• [29:29] - Eating like a circus artist
• [31:54] - Overcoming injuries
• [36:31] - Uuve goes to the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain
• [42:05] - How Uuve composes circus acts
• [44:42] - Uuve falls in love with her rigger
Uuve’s act from the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdrjBwNQpAM
People mentioned for further reference:
Cirkus Cirkor, Hampus Jansson, Ecole Nationale De Cirque, Cirque Du Soleil, Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain, Danny Elfman
Uuve’s Recommendations:
TV Show: Narcos
Show: Cirkus Cirkor’s LIMITS
Paul Binder, the founder of the Big Apple Circus, joins Josh and Lyndsay to talk about his career, the state of Big Apple’s fundraising efforts, and what makes a good circus act. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Paul, if you do please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or over email. You can send us your comments and guest suggestions to hello@hideawaycircus.com.
• [05:39] - Did you know Paul Binder can sing?
• [06:26] - Paul discovers the show business bug
• [09:23] - Paul works on Broadway
• [10:18] - Paul heads to Europe and starts street performing
• [17:10] - Pauls returns to the US to start a circus
• [18:45] - Why Big Apple Circus is a not-for-profit organization
• [25:02] - Big Apple Circus’s current fundraising effort
• [39:25] - Keeping the Big Apple Circus productions fresh
• [45:55] - Paul on collaborative process
• [49:04] - Paul on judging circus acts in festivals
Paul’s Recommendations:
Book: Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion
Movie: Finding Dory
Show Notes: HIDEAWAY Podcast Show Notes
Episode 9- Chris Lueck & Amanda Pekoe, circus and theatre marketing gurus
Josh and Lyndsay sit down with power couple Chris Lueck and Amanda Pekoe to talk about the Tonys, their careers in show business, and how to market and promote circus and theatre shows. We had a great a time chatting with these two and we think you’ll enjoy it too. If you do, please share the podcast with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and email. You can send your questions and guest suggestions to hello@hideawaycircus.com. Thanks!
• [05:28] - The Tony Awards and Shuffle Along
• [08:40] - How to do a Tony campaign
• [14:16] - How the Pekoe Group got started
• [16:51] - Old school social media marketing
• [19:40] - Chris & Amanda fall in love
• [23:38] - Chris & Amanda join the circus
• [30:01] - The Downtown Clown Revue
• [39:40] - Chris’s Clown Side Businesses
• [41:20] - Transitioning out of a performing career
• [45:02] - Chris & Amanda’s rituals
• [47:26] - Practical advice for marketing circus shows
• [52:47] - Chris and Amanda’s Recommendations
People mentioned for further reference:
Shuffle Along, Scott Rudin, Savion Glover, George C. Wolf, Eclipsed, The Pekoe Group, Shot Gun Players, Rock of Ages, Dave Malloy, Joel Jeske, Slava Snow Show, Downtown Clown Revue, Golden Nose Awards
Chris & Amanda’s Recommendations:
Book: Walking Through Walls
Movie: Slapstick Dojo / Game of Thrones
Show: The Color Purple
Show Notes: HIDEAWAY Podcast Show Notes
Episode 8- Rob Mermin, founder of Circus Smirkus
On this episode we call up the extraordinary Rob Mermin. Rob trained in classical mime with Etienne Decroux and Marcel Marceau, performed as a clown in various European before founding the award-winning international company Circus Smirkus. If you enjoy the episode please share it with your friends! You can also email us comments and questions to hello@hideawaycircus.com.
Show Notes:
• [06:02] - Rob’s first interaction with circus
• [08:05] - A hitchhiking trip leads to Rob’s first job
• [16:29] - Rob sets a 20 year goal
• [18:43] - Marcel Marceau and learning how to mime
• [24:10] - Rob on creating circus acts
• [29:54] - Instilling a culture of circus
• [32:02] - Rob’s parent’s react to his starting a circus
• [37:49] - Why start a circus in Vermont?
• [42:36] - Rob questions his dream of starting a circus
• [44:37] - Rob’s stint as the dean of Ringling’s clown college
• [56:34] - Rob recommendations
People mentioned for further reference:
Circus Hoffman, Marcel Marceau, Francesco Caroli, Joe Jackson Jr, George Carl, Oleg Popov, Circus Benneweis, Circus Smirkus, Etienne Decroux
Rob’s Recommendations:
Book: Circus Smirkus a True Story of High Adventure & Low Comedy
Movie: The Circus (Charlie Chaplin)
Show: Circus Smirkus
Episode 7- Gypsy Snider, co-founder of Les Sept Doigts De La Main (Part 2)
Josh and Lyndsay sit down with co-founder of Les Sept Doigts De La Main for part 2 of their interview with Gypsy Snider. In this episode, we talk about casting, act creation, circus school, and Gypsy’s upcoming production of Reversible. If you enjoy the show, please consider liking us and sharing it on Facebook or rating the podcast on iTunes. Enjoy!
Show Notes:
• [04:53] - Gypsy on casting circus performers
• [08:00] - The difference for female circus performers
• [09:53] - Creating in Canada vs United States
• [16:15] - Gypsy on being a mom
• [25:40] - The challenge with circus education
• [29:05] - Circus act composition
• [36:03] - Gypsy’s new show Reversible
• [40:47] - Gypsy’s recommendations
People mentioned for further reference:
Les Sept Doigts, Ecole Nationale de Cirque, Queen of the Night, Olga Kosova, The Cruz Brothers, Lu Yi, Paramour, Pippin.
Gypsy’s Recommendations:
Book: The Artist’s Way - Julia Cameron
Movie: Singing in The Rain
Show: L’Immediat
HIDEAWAY Podcast Show Notes
Episode 6- Gypsy Snider, circus director and hand-to-hand base (Part 1)
On today's episode, Lyndsay and I spoke with circus director and auteur Gypsy Snider. We covered so many topics with Gypsy we've divided her interview into two parts. In this episode we talk about growing up in the circus, circus school in Europe, her first encounter with Cirque Du Soleil, and how failure and negativity can drive your art. Episode 6, Part 2 will be released later this week. If you like the podcast please share it with your friends on Facebook and rate us on iTunes. You can also email questions and comments at hello@hideawaycircus.com. Enjoy!
Show Notes:
• [01:00] - Childhood in the Pickle Family Circus
• [11:00] - Rejected from French circus school
• [12:30] - Gypsy moves to England
• [13:53] - Switzerland and the Dmitri School
• [15:25] - Gypsy on Failure, Negativity, and Improvising
• [25:00] - Did Gypsy think of Cirque Du Soleil Dralion first?
• [28:50] - Gypsy’s first interaction with Cirque Du Soleil and German Cabaret
• [37:00] - Gypsy joins Saltimbanco
People mentioned for further reference:
Kris Kremo, Eric Bates, David Dmitri, Big Apple Circus, Paul Binder, Guy Laliberte, Pomp Duck and Circumstance, Serenity and Bill Forchion, Elsie Smith, New England Center for Circus Arts, Vertigo Tango, Seb and Mimi’s hand to hand act.
Episode 5- Sellam Ouahabi, a remarkable life in the circus
Sellam Ouahabi is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating circus performers and coaches today. On this episode, Josh and Lyndsay sat down Sellam and talked about his childhood growing up in Africa, how he ran away with a circus as a teenager, his experiences with racism on and off stage, and what it takes to for a circus student to find the right coach for them. If you enjoy our podcast, please share it with your friends, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and rate us on iTunes!
Show Notes:
• [02:18] Sellam recounts the circus in Tangier, Morocco
• [05:58] Sellam’s first job at 9-year-old
• [09:34] Sneaking into the King’s gymnasium
• [15:55] 13-year-old Sellam joins the circus
• [22:09] Life with in a acrobatic troupe
• [23:30] Racism in the circus
• [27:45] Sellam creates solo acts
• [30:02] Handling prejudice in Italian circus
• [37:34] Sellam starts coaching
• [43:31] Quiting the circus but can’t stay away
• [48:35] A philosophy of coaching
• [53:40] Combining contemporary and traditional circus
• [56:31] Sellam on opening his own coaching studio
Links Mentioned:
Sellam’s Website, The Simple Circus <http://thesimplecircus.com>
On today’s episode we sit down with Adam Woolley, the managing director of Circus Now. We chat about the organization and it’s circus advocacy programs, the state of social and recreational circus in America, and what needs to be done in order to increase visibility and accessibility to the art form. If you enjoy the show, please share it with your friends, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and rate us on iTunes!
Show Notes:
• [03:30] What is Circus Now?
• [10:20] Circus Now Artist Residencies
• [11:04] The 2017 Smithsonian Circus Festival
• [15:27] Defining the term circus
• [17:56] The booming recreational and social circus scene
• [20:35] The populism of circus
• [22:10] Storytelling through circus
• [26:24] How do we increase accessibility to shows?
Links Mentioned:
Circus Now Website <http://circusnow.org>