Circus Smirkus


Circus Smirkus is a non-profit, international youth circus founded in 1987 by Rob Mermin, and based in Greensboro, Vermont.
Smirkus' performers and coaches have come from Canada, China, Colombia, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Moldova, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, Zambia, ten Native American nations and twenty US states. At the International Children's Festival at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in September 2000, Circus Smirkus was introduced as "the United Nations of the youth circus world."
WWW Official Site

Summer camp

Circus Smirkus has a summer camp that trains children in areas such as aerials, clowning/performance, acrobatics and juggling. Participants may also choose to train in other skills such as human pyramids, unicycling and stilt walking. Smirkus Camp opened its Summer 2015 season at new, permanent facilities—a 135-year-old farmhouse, two dormitories, circus tents for training, and Baylin's Balance Barn- on in Greensboro, Vermont. The camp sessions offered throughout the season vary from one night overnight camps, one and two-week camps, and advanced camps, including Road Show, Intermediate Skills Intensive, Advanced Individual Acts, and Advanced Ensemble. Smirkus Camp also offers an all ages camp for friends and family at the end of the summer season.
From 1990 to 2010, the circus had more than 4,000 youths aged 10–18 in its summer camps.
Prior to 2016 when Smirkus Camp built its own home in Greensboro, Vermont, the camp moved around and used facilities at places like Bolton Valley Ski Resort, White Mountain School, Sterling College, Lyndon State College, and Burke Mountain Academy.

Awards and honors

Notable alumni