Did you know that there are currently two collegiate circuses in the United States that have year-round programs to teach students how to become circus performers? Maybe if you had known you might have given another thought to your list of college applications…
The Florida State University circus program has been going since 1947 and although it doesn’t earn students any class credit, the learning opportunity gives them the chance to literally join the circus. Students perform in a show that rivals a professional one and get involved in virtually every aspect of production from setup of the Big Top tent to the sewing of their own costumes.
I dug up LIFE magazine’s coverage of the Class of ’52 in action, entitled “Circus Girl University”, photographed by Loomis Dean in his early days of working for the publication…
Class has begun at the FSU Flying High Circus, but school is definitely out…
Not your everyday lesson…
Got that?
So there is such a thing as clown college after all!
As part of an extra-curricular activity under FSU’s Division of Student Affairs, the “Circus Skills” course teaches students the basics of juggling, hand balancing, aerial ballet, several other aerial acts, and equipment rigging. The three-ring aerial and stage presentation generates its own revenue by performing for various sponsors and hosting weekend shows on campus in the Spring. A few selected acts are also known to do traveling road shows for the circus every year as well as conduct a summer recreation program at a resort in Georgia.
Student performers are responsible for everything from the lighting, sound and rigging their own equipment to sewing their costumes and doing their make-up…
Despite what it looks like here, enrollment is encouraged but not mandatory for participation in the circus.
Only a small percentage of the performers seek a professional circus career, which seems like a shame when you’ve learnt how to balance on a bicycle for five or master the trapeze. It’s a little like a superhero taking an office job.
Having grown-up in Europe with that very vivid stereotype of drunk college students at frat parties, this more or less restores my faith in college students.
Today, the FSU Flying High Circus is of course alive and well and even more impressive…
If you’re interested to see how the Florida State University Circus program is getting on today, check out their Facebook page. It’s pretty impressive.
Full photo story found on the LIFE Archives.
