Circus Smirkus is making a stop in Freeport for shows at performer Sarah Norden’s school.
Circus Smirkus shows always are big attractions when the Big Top Tour makes its annual visit to Merriconeag Waldorf School in Freeport, and they commonly sell out. This year, there’s added excitement, as Merriconeag student Sarah Norden of Yarmouth will be part of the troupe, doing aerial and clown routines.
Norden, who will be a junior at Merriconeag this fall, has been performing all summer in Circus Smirkus shows throughout the Northeast. The Big Top Tour had stops in Massachusetts the past two weeks, and now Norden is ready to perform before family and friends. In an email made available to the Tri-Town Weekly, she talked about the thrill of the circus experience.
“I love (the) tour for so many reasons,” Norden said. “It is an amazing experience. I am so grateful to be a part of such a supportive, hard-working, positive family. Performing for over 1,000 people every day is indescribable. The adrenaline of being in the ring makes every day a roller coaster of excitement, exhaustion and joy. Experiences that used to seem unforgettable blend into a blur of magic and smiles. I love spending time with my fellow troupers and meeting new home stays. Everyone in the troupe is positive, quirky and willing to lend a helping hand.”
Mary Martin, events coordinator at Merriconeag, said that while the Big Top tent usually sells out the 780 seats, tickets are commonly available the day of the shows.
“People love to come to Circus Smirkus,” Martin said. “It’s had such a storied history here. This is the 11th show at Merriconeag.”
Norden and the rest of the troupe will arrive in Maine on Aug. 2, and do a show at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland. They will stay with host families through Aug. 5, and then head out to continue a 70-show tour. The performers do two shows a day, on an average of five days per week.
“It is very hard work and so rewarding,” Norden said. “Every breath I give to the audience I get back in double. I am exhausted at the end of the day, but it is so worth it. We never stop. Even between shows, we often train and rehearse rather than resting. Some days I can’t imagine having the energy to perform but when I hear the music start a smile spreads across my face, regardless.”
The tour started in Greensboro, Vt., on June 6.
This year’s Circus Smirkus theme is culinary arts. It will include acrobatic “hors d oeuvres,” juggling chefs and more.
Norden, the daughter of Bohlen Curtis and Caroline Norden, first saw Circus Smirkus when she was 6. She will be the first girl from Maine since 1999 to be a part of the troupe, which includes 30 performers ages 11-18 from throughout the country.
In addition to aerials and clowns, this summer’s traveling youth circus also features acrobatics, juggling and unicycles.
Sarah Norden of Yarmouth, right, performs an aerial on a chandelier with others in her Circus Smirkus troupe. Circus Smirkus makes its annual appearance at Merriconeag Waldorf School in Freeport on Aug. 3-4. Courtesy photo
Sarah Norden of Yarmouth is in full clown makeup for Circus Smirkus shows. The Big Top Tour will be at Merriconeag Waldorf School in Freeport on Aug. 3-4. Norden is a student at the school. Courtesy photo
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