Drabble Babble Challenge: Circus Edition

June 2016

Acrobats

by Matilde Rayne

The acrobats, gymnasts, and trapeze artists performing their amazing tricks and skills are truly amazing. It seems to me that flipping from one end of the stage to another, or springing into the air and twisting again and again, or swinging from bar to bar - that is as close as a human can get to flying without wearing a special suit or being in a plane. Some of the performers seem to float in the air as they make their passes. Thinking about it, I understand the physics and the effort involved, but the artists make it look absolutely effortless.

The Butterfly Effect

by Arianna Stonewater (Slytherin)

Thirteen Thousand "Are We There Yet"s later, we pull into the parking lot. I can't believe it! Year after year of seeing TV commercials and disappointment, I am finally going to the circus! We step in the big tent into an explosion of color and noises. The show hasn't even started, and I'm already overwhelmed with excitement! We grab some cotton candy and then sit to wait. Finally, the lights go down and the curtain goes up. A parade of funny shaped men and women with bright hair and puffy pants starts the show. A night to remember for sure!

Being a Clown

by Astrid Black

Being a clown is hard. When I joined I imagined it to be fun. Making balloon animals and greeting people with enthusiasm. I was happy to be a clown at first. Now everyone is scared of me. Between past experiences or scary movies, nobody likes clowns anymore.

I thought I was done for. Then I met this little boy. He loved clowns! He asked for three balloon animals and wanted to smell my water gun flower! He said he wanted to be a clown when he grew up. He renewed my faith in being a clown. Thank you little boy.

Circus Logic

by Prof. Scarlet Leslie (Slytherin)

Someone was buying popcorn during the fire eaters and missed it entirely. Shiloh's favorite act was two after the clowns. Between the one who bought corn dogs and Leonie, one liked the 2nd act and the other liked the trapeze artists. The one who bought corn dogs liked the clowns, not the stilt walkers. Mattie either bought popcorn or liked the trapeze artists. The 3rd act was the favorite of the one who bought cotton candy, not pretzels. Leonie's favorite act was two before the jugglers. The person who bought peanuts (not Polaris) liked the act right after Kaiwa's favorite.

Cirque du Soleil

by Ashley Margaret

Cirque du Soleil is the largest theatrical producer in the world. The organization originated in Quebec City, Canada, in 1984, and is now headquartered in Montreal. They produce numerous traveling shows that perform throughout the world, but there are also several permanent shows in Las Vegas, Nevada and Orlando, Florida. Each performance is a synthesis of different circus styles from around the world and has its own central plot and theme. Filled with modern technology, striking special effects, imaginative costumes, and dramatic lighting, Cirque du Soleil is unlike traditional circuses in that it does not include animals or a ringmaster.

Clown College

by Polaris Black

Clown College was created in 1968 by Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus in order to train a new generation in this ancient art form. After submitting an extensive written personality profile, applicants learned "Ringling Style" make-up application, costume design, acrobatics, juggling, stilt walking, pantomime, and slapstick humor. Films of classic performers and cartoon work were also studied. Chosen graduates received a costume, make-up kit, and an obligatory contract. By the time Clown College closed in 1997, clowning had moved back into the mainstream of performing arts. Today, Ringling clowns are hired based on standard auditions, just like any other theatrical production.

Crazy Clowns

by Ashley Margaret

My least favorite part of going to the circus is seeing all of the clowns. Clowns are an integral part of the show and offer amusement and comic relief between the acts and performances. Their performance of playing a fool with silly actions is nothing short of ridiculous at times. However, I find their outlandish clothing, exaggerated footwear, colorful wigs, distinctive makeup, and large red nose more creepy than amusing. While these performers are supposed to entertain the audience, they make me just want to run in the opposite direction, away from the large red and white striped circus tent.

His Favorite

by Leonie Hauri

He had always loved the circus, she remembered. His favourite had always been the clown, and he always told her he wanted to be a clown someday. He would laugh and laugh and laugh, while stuffing his face full of cotton candy. He liked the ponies too, and always wanted to pet them. She remembered the way he watched, wide-eyed, as the strongman lifted up a vehicle or the fire-eater swallowed fire. He had tried to swallow fire once, after a day at the circus. It had not ended well. Yes, she remembered everything.

But now her grandfather was gone.

Laugh

by Matilde Rayne

It is dark, but the smell of popcorn, the colorful flashes, and the quiet rumble from the crowd remind me of where I am. Oh, and the clowns. It's hard to miss the clowns - running around, bantering in their own clown language, pulling members of the audience into their games. One places a single piece of popcorn on the head of everyone sitting in one of the front rows. A few of them shake the popcorn off, but most don't seem to notice, even as the audience snickers and giggles and laughs. The mood is set - more fun to come!

Recollection

by Arielle Lemoyne

Arielle had to write a story about a circus, but she hadn't been to one in 15 years and she hadn't even seen Dumbo in almost as long. She vaguely recalled a circus-themed summer camp that was held last year, but she couldn't remember anything specific. If only she were at her parents house. She was sure they'd have some circus picture books because they were saving childhood items for when Arielle herself had children. She decided that if she ever did, she'd take them to the circus, so she'd finally have the background knowledge necessary to write this story.

Red Nose Day

by Polaris Black

You don’t need a circus; everyone is encouraged to “clown around” on Red Nose Day. Red Nose Day was founded by the British charity Comic Relief and has become an international celebration to raise money for numerous charities that help children in need and tackle world-wide poverty. In the United States, Walgreens is a committed sponsor that sells red noses and other silly items to ensure the success of your fund-raising event. Children are particularly sensitive to other children who are less fortunate than themselves and embrace the idea of helping them while having fun at the same time.

Sandy

by Arielle Lemoyne

Sandy was a talented circus dog. She was also a fierce and loyal guard dog, a skilled hunting dog, and an energetic sporting dog. She was all of those things because she wanted to be and because nobody told her she wasn't. But right now, she was a circus dog. She stood on her back legs, then her front legs. She twirled and rolled and jumped. The only applause she got was from her owner, but that was all she needed. Because most of all, she was a fluffy, cuddly lap dog. Most of all, she was Arielle's best friend.

The Stadium

by Arianna Stonewater (Slytherin)

After the last family has left the building, the overhead lights pop on. Thousands of people had filled the now-empty stadium. As i walk around, collecting props in my cart, I marvel at the sheer amount of flowers, rubber chickens, and whipped-cream pies we go through every show. What's more, no matter how many times i work the show, it's never quite the same. What's the difference? The audience. Their reactions, their participation, that is what makes or breaks the show. They are the reason we do what we do. Smiling, I know I wouldn't want it any other way.

Thomas the Juggler

by Leonie Hauri

When Thomas was ten, he ran away and joined the circus.

He didn't mean to. His mother had brought him to the circus to see the jugglers. When the circus was over, Thomas insisted on getting the juggler's autograph. The next thing he knew, his mother was gone, and there was only the circus.

Thomas is a juggler now, and every time he performs he looks for an old lady and wonders if she is his mother. And every time his mother hears a circus is in town, she looks for the juggler and wonders if he is her son.

Tight Rope Walking

by Astrid Black

My least favorite part of going to the circus is seeing all of the clowns. Clowns are an integral part of the show and offer amusement and comic relief between the acts and performances. Their performance of playing a fool with silly actions is nothing short of ridiculous at times. However, I find their outlandish clothing, exaggerated footwear, colorful wigs, distinctive makeup, and large red nose more creepy than amusing. While these performers are supposed to entertain the audience, they make me just want to run in the opposite direction, away from the large red and white striped circus tent.