Arts journalists, critics invited to "Speaking Circus": contemporary circus in perspective

You’re fluent in theater and dance. You speak Beckett, Pinter, Graham and Ailey. But what about circus? Is the only circus-ease in your vocabulary “clown” and “three-ring”?

Circus Now 

invites you to

SPEAKING CIRCUS

An exploration of ways to think about the contemporary circus.

Inspired by Unpack the Arts (the European Residency Programme for Cultural Journalists), Speaking Circus will follow a contemporary circus performance with discussions and presentations about contemporary circus history, disciplines and influences.  The primary focus of this event is a half-day long seminar. You are encouraged to view the performance the previous evening, as it will be referenced in some of the panels.

PRESENTERS

Joe Melillo (Executive Producer at BAM), Duncan Wall (author of The Ordinary Acrobat), Karen Fricker (theater critic and professor at Brock University), Mary Rose Lloyd (Director of Artistic Programming at The New Victory Theater), Monique Martin (Director of Family Programming at City Parks Foundation), Lotta Vaulo (Managing Director of Circus Info Finland), members of the Race Horse Company and Suzi Winson (founder of Circus Warehouse).

WHEN AND WHERE

Presentations, discussion and lunch

Wednesday, August 21, 10am-3pm

New 42nd Street® Studios building
229 West 42nd Street, LuEsther T. Mertz Board Room, 9th Floor, Manhattan
(map/directions)

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Performances by Race Horse Company, AcroArts, FAQ, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus andHybrid Movement Company

Tuesday, August 20, 7pm

Wednesday, August 21, 7pm

Marcus Garvey Park
Madison Ave, East 120th Street to East 124 Street, Manhattan
(map/directions)

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WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS?

Contemporary Circus refers to any performance that uses traditional circus skills to emotionally, intellectually and viscerally engage audiences. It is extremely popular in Europe, Canada and Australia - and now the U.S. is catching up. We haven’t seen this much enthusiasm and innovation in American circuses since the Ringling Brothers started traveling by train. A massive scene is happening right under America’s feet and Circus Now wants to give you the scoop.