Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
World Circus Day - Circuspreneur Podcast
27 Plays2 months ago
#WorldCircusDay #CircusDay #Circus #CircusArts
On this special episode of the Circuspreneur Podcast, host Shenea Stiletto celebrates World Circus Day, and reflects on the importance of representing the Circus Arts industry all over the world.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to Circuspreneur Podcast and World Circus Day
00:00:05
Circuspreneur Podcast
Hi, Circuspreneurs. It's your host, Sinead Stiletto. And i am so excited to celebrate World Circus Day on the podcast.
00:00:17
Circuspreneur Podcast
It's literally where we get our name. or a portion of it. First, it's circus. It's circus meets entrepreneurship. So circuspreneur. And for those unfamiliar with entrepreneurship, it's someone that takes their career into their own hands and is, at this point, I think beyond a lifestyle.
The Circus Arts Industry: Lifestyle and Entrepreneurship
00:00:36
Circuspreneur Podcast
I like to think of the circus arts industry as lifestyle and as an entrepreneurship you know environment because you're always kind of trying to get somewhere on your own. You're never not evolving in the circus. And i think it's a really wonderful day to celebrate you know what circus means to all of us around the world and our circus global family
00:01:08
Circuspreneur Podcast
and community and circus friends and listeners out there from all over the world that enjoy the circus arts in any capacity, whether you are an audience member, a spectator, a hobbyist, an artist, a director, choreographer, all the things that make up the circus arts industry, costume maker, wardrobe specialist,
00:01:35
Circuspreneur Podcast
musical mixer. I'll just throw that one out there. I like when I do the podcast because i I surprise myself with the words that I say. i don't even expect it sometimes, and I just kind of like let it flow.
World Circus Day 2025: Misconceptions and Reclaiming Identity
00:01:47
Circuspreneur Podcast
But I and just wanted to reflect a little bit on what Circus Day means to the Circuspreneur podcast and kind of just the state of circus currently right now in 2025. I think for so many of us that are attentive to the wider world, meaning the news, we we hear a lot of negative feedback about the circus. And I get into so many conversations with fellow circus friends and colleagues about this all the time, where we really want the wider public to represent us accurately a community, as an industry, as an environment, as an organized, steady, balanced,
00:02:31
Circuspreneur Podcast
balanced, no pun intended, able to juggle so many of things, coming together with so many different varieties of cultures and individuals from so many different backgrounds, doing very complex and fun and heartfelt performance art infused with extreme athleticism. And so today i think it's time to reclaim the circus, to reclaim are terminology, our environment, our space.
00:03:02
Circuspreneur Podcast
I find myself commenting and also sorts of posts. And I have friends that will send me things and listeners of the podcast will say, look at what I responded on this post when they said, this is going nowhere. It's like a circus or this dude is, you know, acting crazy. It might as well be a circus up there for spaces that will not be named. Yeah.
00:03:26
Circuspreneur Podcast
for spaces that we don't want to, you know, but spaces that we are involved in, especially on the advocacy
Advocacy Efforts and Circus Arts Recognition
00:03:31
Circuspreneur Podcast
side. i think, you know, it's become very, ah part of this podcast, ah the journey of the Circus Arts Guild of America, which I founded ah to advocate on behalf of the circus arts industry in America, in Washington, DC, and how much, you know, of an impact I want the circus arts industry to have in DC to take our industry seriously.
00:03:52
Circuspreneur Podcast
you I have to say that it is difficult and easy at the exact same time. I think that we are embraced when we come into a room initially and not even just initially, but initially, because it's not easy to break through barriers and doors when you are coming from an environment that most people just don't have a lot of representation for in their own personal life for their awareness. um You know, now it's becoming so much easier. You meet so many people that, you you know, even lawmakers that have a family member or a friend or a friend of a friend that's in the circus arts industry, whether they call themselves only an aerialist or a juggler, or they're into clowning, or they do a little bit of acro, you know, now that's like the really popular term to use, you know, you're not doing circus, now you're doing acro, which is my sport from, you know, when I started and how I i came into the circus. And I loved discussing my circus journey, which is a whole different podcast, a whole different conversation, but it is a very special one.
00:04:56
Circuspreneur Podcast
and I'm so happy to be wrapped up in the love of circus today on World Circus Day, International Circus Day, or Only Circus Day, however you
Celebrating World Circus Day: Humor and Diversity
00:05:04
Circuspreneur Podcast
call it. It is April 19th for those folks that are confused. I believe that World Circus Day is usually on the third Saturday of every April.
00:05:13
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah. And so it changes. So that means it's not on the exact same date every single year, which is hilarious. I love seeing all the different posts of people starting it early or or or taking on a different date. Some people post on the 17th. There's some people not, you know, want to post on the 20th and, you know, all those things. So I think it's hilarious. That part to me is very funny and very circus. Everyone's just like...
00:05:35
Circuspreneur Podcast
We have every right to post when we want to, and we're going to. We're going to post however we would like, and we're still celebrating circus. And some people have been celebrating circus all week long. And that is also wonderful.
00:05:47
Circuspreneur Podcast
i think that it can't be celebrated enough, especially in in in in the evolution of circus and how far we've come as an industry all over the world with so many folks gaining circus arts recognition throughout the world for the circus arts industry.
Unionizing the Circus Arts Industry: Rights and Representation
00:06:04
Circuspreneur Podcast
and Again, coming back to the rights of the circus arts industry, I think that we are in the best time and the best era to get circus arts rights, industry rights, so that we have a defined seat at the table for legislation, for policy, and for the arts. I mean, and that's what that is, right? We have, I think, changed the conversation around the circus arts industry, and and I want to continue to do that.
00:06:32
Circuspreneur Podcast
you know in terms of unionizing the circus arts industry, in terms of gaining the support that other industries have, where folks from their industries are involved in those conversations. And so that is my effort. And that is effort of Circus Arts Guild of America and the effort of the other advocates that I advocate with and I work with.
00:06:49
Circuspreneur Podcast
And I know... the perspective of so many in this industry where we want to be involved as the circus industry experts that we are and the ones that love this industry because it's important to have the love for it so that you're not just there for your own economic bottom line. However, circus makes money. And if you're in circus, you should be making money.
00:07:13
Circuspreneur Podcast
If you're coming from it from a space of business, obviously, if you're you know just donating your time or again, you just come at it from a hobbyist perspective and it's just something that you enjoy to do and it's not your your your bread and butter and you have an entirely different career. But I would think that you would want the ones and the folks like myself and all the other circuits individuals where it is the bulk and it is their only career and it is their only job and it is their only means of making a living and taking care of their families and getting health insurance and you know, getting unemployment benefits and disability and retirements and pensions and all the things that, again, are not always very typical language around the circus arts industry. It's been my effort with the Circuspreneur podcast to normalize those words and those conversations.
Economic and Social Rights in Circus: Breaking Taboos
00:07:59
Circuspreneur Podcast
around our industry so that they're not taboo, which is, I think, hilarious when you think about anything being a taboo subject in the circus, because we are essentially a very taboo environment and a taboo industry and art form, even to this day. you know i mean, folks go to all sorts of places,
00:08:15
Circuspreneur Podcast
when I discuss the circus arts industry with them in terms of advocacy work and whatever else you want to, whatever kind of word, lobbying, whatever word, the love that you have for a space that you want to continue to see, get the rights that you think that, that you see because,
00:08:31
Circuspreneur Podcast
you've experienced in environment for so many years and so informed by your experience, that is why you are asking for certain things on behalf of yourself and behalf of others. And so wanting everyone to do better, wanting every circus industry and every circus nation to do better. and to increase our footprint and be essentially a part of how our industry is shaped and molded and
Inspiration and Achievements in Circus Careers
00:08:58
Circuspreneur Podcast
formed. And i think that I cannot express that enough on World Circus Day in terms of you know ah what I want to generate from this episode and inspire. i think we all need, you can't have enough inspiration, and especially if you're in your day-to-day grind. And it's so nice to come out of yourself
00:09:17
Circuspreneur Podcast
and come out of your day-to-day show grind or whatever type of grind you're in in the circus and remind yourself why you like being in this art form and what you love about it and what it means to you and reflecting on your circus journey and the circus journey of circus friends. Sometimes I even go into thinking about that in terms of the friends that I've had over the years and where they are right now in their circus career, or their circus journey, and just being, you know, blown away of seeing where people's careers can go and where they're connection to the industry can go. Some you know folks are expanding into not performing anymore and they're you know becoming directors and managers and ADs and things of that nature. and
00:09:57
Circuspreneur Podcast
how interesting that is. They're becoming coaches. Some are doing both, you know, some are in such a you know, certain decade of their career and still on the stage and performing. And it is so inspiring to see that because they're still at the top of their game. And, you know, this is 25 plus years for them. And it's a really special thing to see.
00:10:17
Circuspreneur Podcast
everyone you know getting to where their circus journey should be because it's right for them and whatever is right for me personally at this point in time.
00:10:29
Circuspreneur Podcast
And so again, i just wanted to give a lovely shout out of Circus Day and from the Circuspreneur podcast, I'm your host, Sinead Stiletto.
00:10:40
Circuspreneur Podcast
And the Circuspreneur podcast, that is what we do here. We live and breathe the circus. I live and breathe the circus more than I thought that I ever would in my entire life and career. When I thought that my life was inundated and absorbed by the circus, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I was when i started the Circuspreneur podcast and and when I started to bring several different series produced by Stagelink.com to the circus industry and the circus audience and how much deeper and more connected ah could ever be.
Sharing Wisdom and Insights on the Podcast
00:11:15
Circuspreneur Podcast
into the circus arts industry, whether it is promoting the business aspect of the circus arts industry, again, being a circuspreneur and understanding that aspect of what makes this industry tick and then what tools you need to succeed and survive in this industry for a prolonged period of time through the experiences and perspectives of my amazing guests.
00:11:38
Circuspreneur Podcast
And so i will also give a big shout out to my amazing guests from the circus arts industry that have been just wonderful, um you know, breaths of wisdom and excellence and insight and expertise on the podcast.
00:11:53
Circuspreneur Podcast
And I really appreciate everyone that has appeared on the podcast, that wants to appear on the podcast and um And also, too, who doesn't think that they could be on the podcast, and you know, let me know. And we'll see, um you know, in the selection process of how we decide. You know, I take it very seriously, guests on the podcast, and I'm very specific and very picky.
00:12:19
Circuspreneur Podcast
And um because I want to bring the best quality of content, but I try to find a story for every guest that I have and a nuance for this industry that I think will bring listeners like you value from whatever perspective that you are loving and enjoying the circus arts industry now. And so thank you for tuning in. Thank you for subscribing to the podcast.
00:12:47
Circuspreneur Podcast
Thank you for liking. thank you for commenting on the podcast. It helps so much. Thank you for accessing the podcast on YouTube, on Spotify, on Apple iTunes, Google Podcasts.
00:13:00
Circuspreneur Podcast
We're literally on every single platform and have always been. and so wherever you enjoy the Circuspreneur podcast, I hope that you continue to tune in and enjoy what we have to bring. and I hope again, that the content is such a variety of perspectives that you feel, i think, overwhelmed um by the love and by the devotion and by the experience that we bring through the Circuspreneur podcast, which is the goal and which is what I will continue to try to do to the best of my ability as I continue to juggle and wear So many different hats in this industry.
00:13:46
Circuspreneur Podcast
And i just wanted to end the podcast by saying thank you again.
Reflecting on the Meaning and Future of Circus Arts
00:13:50
Circuspreneur Podcast
and yeah, what is the, you know, what does World Circus Day mean to you? Please leave us a comment and share a little bit about what circus arts means to you what World Circus Day means to you wherever you are.
00:14:04
Circuspreneur Podcast
in the world and I hope that you continue to keep on circusing the way that is valuable and specific to you and I also hope that everyone continues to maintain hope around the arts around the art form of the circus arts even during these times that can seem challenging in some ways but I don't see the circus going anywhere So I wouldn't worry too much. they They can't hold us down. Again, we're not going anywhere. And, you know, even if things feel uncertain or you feel like things are going the wrong direction in this industry, or maybe you feel like they're going in the right direction in this industry, I think it's a good time to ponder that on World Circus Day of what direction you would like the circus arts industry to go in in any part of the world.
00:14:57
Circuspreneur Podcast
um in reflecting on what this industry and what this art form means to you. So I'm your host, Sinead Stiletto. Please tune in to the next episode and stay tuned. to Happy World Circus Day, everyone.