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CHILDREN'S CIRCUS of MIDDLETOWN, Makes Dreams Come True   Submitted by Ken & Jan Sopelak on   8/18/2009 Last Modified   Did you ever dream of being a circus star?  Well, the Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater made that dream come true for about 200 children and teenagers in Middletown, CT.  The Children's Circus of Middletown presented their 21st annual performance on July 31, 2009.  The circus was appropriately called "In Your Dreams" and even included a live band to provide music. Local members of the Circus Fans Association of America set up this table to promote Circus4Youth! Children 8 to 11 learned and mastered their circus skills during a five week summer program.   Acrobatics, clowning, juggling, stilt walking, unicycling, dance and art skills were taught in half day sessions.  The advanced Circus Program was also offered for young adults from 12 to 15 years of age.  These students were given the opportunity to develope their previously learned skills to a higher level.     This year's circus director was Skyler Sullivan.  Skyler has an extensive background in clowning, mime, and juggling.  Skyler has worked with Circus Minimus, the San Francisco School of Circus Arts, Sesame Street (The Jugging Chicken), the Electric Company (Arthur), and many others.  According to After School   Coordinator, Bobby Knoll, this year's production was a challange due to 25 days of rain that often prevented outdoor practice.  In spite of the weather, a successful gala performance was held on one of the hottest days of summer!     Left: Circus Director Skyler Sullivan, an accomplished juggler himself! Right: Stilts were needed to walk through the puddles of water! The show was held in a natural amphitheater and presented in front of a beautiful background that was made by adult volunteers. While the audience eagarly awaited the start of the performance...     ...they were entertained by by a community circus band under the capable direction of Dirck Westervelt. The performance began with a circus parade of entertainers entering the arena. The show was divided into segments or acts.  Each act featured a "dream theme"  cleverly integrating humerous clown skits, circus skills and dance.     People were amazed at the agility of the stilt walkers.     The acrobatic artists demonstrated hand stands, cart wheels, back flips, human pyramids, and unique revolving acrobatic carousels.     Globe Walkers showed their agility maneuvering around the ring over bumpy and soggy ground caused by several inches of rain the previous day.     The unicyclists displayed amazing feats of individule and team cycling. We particularly enjoyed the "unicycle-go-round.  Two cyclists started pedaling in a circle while holding onto a hoop. One by one other cyclists peddled in to join the "unicycle-go-round". This year a dare devil cyclist surprised the audience by riding up a ramp and jumping over another performer! Every type of juggling was displayed by the well trained children.     Bean bags, clubs,devil sticks, diablo, rings, and even torches of fire juggling dazzled all the fans.     The audience was also mesmerized by an exceptional display of cigar box juggling! A wonderful and unique ladder routine was a thrill to watch. One performer balanced between two large ladders and was slowly joined by others. Skyler Sullivan and two acrobats made a dramatic entrance into the ring riding a motorcycle.  As Syler drove around the ring, the acrobats stood on one foot while balancing themselves on both sides of the cycle.     Many clown skits brought laughter, especially when the show concluded with Middletown's Mayor, Sebastian Giuliano, recieving a traditional pie in the face! It was a wonderful experience to see the results of an entire community project.  The Oddfellows Playhouse, The Middletown Commission on the Arts, The Middlesex United Way, The Board of Education, the Police Dept, and the Mayor's Office along with the many directors, instructors, and volunteers can be very proud of their combined efforts. Due to the success of producing 21 summer circuses, the Oddfellows Playhouse is launching "Beyond Summer Circus".  This is an exciting new program for children 12 years and older who wish to develop and/or improve their circus skills during the school year!  "We are going to raise the bar," said Development Director Susan Brown.  "We can't wait to see the results!"   For more information on "Beyond the Summer Circus" call the Oddfellows Playhouse at 860 347-6143, or visit their website at: www.oddfellows.org . Ken and Jan Sopelak, Members Circus Fans Association of America   THE END...See You in 2010! Email This Resource   Copyright © 1999-2010 Circus Fans Association of America and Authors. For more information view our  Copyright Policy & Privacy Policy .

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