Circ

CIRCUS LIFE

Circus life is not nearly as glamorous or carefree as it may seem. Circus folk typically work 11 straight months without a day off, with the show shutting down only for a few weeks around Christmas to ready for the new year's edition.

A typical circus day starts with a late-night drive into town, following the "arrows" posted by the 24-hour man the day before. Once on the circus lot, and guided to your parking space by the 24-hour man, you get a few hours sleep before set-up begins first thing in the morning. Set-up is the most grueling aspect of circus life, in which the equivalent of a small town must be erected in the span of only a few hours before the public starts arriving for the first performance. The work is doled out to work crews who handle the tent (canvas crew), the seating, the electrical generators and wiring, the animals, and the various midway concession stands. Performers are typically responsible for setting up their own rigging at the appropriate time. Typically there will be one or two performances on set-up day, two performances on weekdays, and three performances on weekends. Immediately following the last show at a particular location, everything is dismantled and packed into trucks, after which everyone hits the road to the next town. Many circuses perform this entire ritual every day ("one night stands"), and of course it goes on regardless of weather, fatigue, or the presence or absence of any paying customers.

Due to the amount of work and interdependence involved, and the inability to form any contacts outside of the show (since it is always moving), circus folk form a very close-knit community. Children are schooled by their parents, typically following correspondance school curricula. Holidays are often celebrated en masse, and weddings in the center ring are not uncommon. The community tends to be very liberal and tolerant of diversity among its members, but untrusting of outsiders ("townys").

Hardships aside, there is never any shortage of excitement on the road. Every day deals up new and unusual events, from major catastrophes such as blowdowns, wild animal attacks, vehicle accidents, and aerial accidents, to the merely humorous, such as a performer losing an article of clothing during a performance. Coupled with the very colorful range of personnel attracted to such a life, and the non-stop rythm of life on the road, this makes circus life unique.

(from circusweb.com)