Around Town

Ringling Bros. Circus Comes to Denver

October 11, 2024

Performers from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s The Greatest Show on Earth visited a local circus school, Circus Foundry, to showcase their talents and give students an inside look at what it’s like to be a professional circus performer ahead of their shows in town this weekend.

The Greatest Show on Earth re-opened last year after a seven year hiatus. The show returned with a bigger focus on acrobatic and aerial skills, removing all animals from its acts. The company has also placed an emphasis on technological advancements, with its cast performing on 360-degree stages and sound production that provides a full-immersion experience for audiences.

AJ Anaya, a Denver native and BMX performer in the show explained to Circus Foundry students what the reimagined circus holds in store for audience members.

“We move to the speed of TikTok,” said Anaya, speaking to the show’s goal to hold young attention spans in a digital age. With 75 performers, the show is fast-paced and multiple acts happen at the same time; displaying amazing acrobatic talent for every section of the theater to see.

The cast of The Greatest Show on Earth is globally diverse, representing over 18 countries. Its performances reflect the cultural range of its cast with exciting acts such as Argendance, a dance troupe from Argentina, and Dust in the Wind, an acrobatic hand-to-hand duo from Cuba.

Julio and Maite, members of the Dust in the Wind act, said that the show is a wonderful chance to connect with people from around the world and experience other cultures.

Circus Foundry students were shown live performances by Argendance, Dust in the Wind, and aerialist Julie Marshall before transitioning to a time of learning in which the circus performers helped students improve their skills at drumming, hand-to-hand acrobatics, and aerial silks.