“Circus Dreams,” an hour-long documentary about Circus Smirkus, a Vermont-based circus troupe that features a number of Maine perfomers, will air at 10 p.m. Thursday, April 5 and 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7 on Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
Circus Smirkus is based in Norwich, VT, and teaches middle and high school-aged youths the arts of juggling, acrobatics, clowning, aerial arts and more. Circus Smirkus performs every summer in Kennebunkport and Freeport, and it also features a number of Maine performers, including Buckfield residents Collin and Shane Miclon, jugglers and sons of acclaimed juggler ad Oddfellow Theater founder Mike Miclon; clown and Cumberland native Jared Mongeau; and Eepy Bird star Fritz Grobe, Circus Smirkus’ juggling coach.
The documentary, directed by Signe Taylor, shows how the circus teaches its students the circus arts, as well provides positive role models and structure for them. It’s a family-friendly film that will also air, in addition to this weekend, on April 24 and 25 on MPBN World. Circus Smirkus will perform in Maine again this summer Aug. 6-7 in Freeport and Aug. 9-10 in Kennebunkport.
