Barnum’s Circus, founded in 1871 in Delavan.
The state is the birthplace of two major circuses: Ringling Bros., established in 1884 in Baraboo, which is still home to Circus World Museum, and P.T. Wisconsin is no stranger to big top bonanzas. “There are a lot of circus studios that teach classes and have open gym hours, but none that offers members access to 24-hour practice whenever they want.” The space, with its accessible model and commitment to expanding the circus arts to many different corners of the population, is groundbreaking. “There’s nowhere else in the country like what we’ve created,” says Carly Schuna, a champion German wheel performer, teacher and co-founder of Madison Circus Space.
Stairs and an elevator access the mezzanine and upper studio, used for dance, improv and other classes. There is also a back room studio on the main level for private classes. has a large main performance studio with a 40-foot-high ceiling, sprung wood floors, and a pulley system with rig points for aerial and high flying trapeze. After a temporary relocation and a significant capital campaign, the new facility stands out among its peers. The old Madison Circus Space was already impressive, but it was a rental and was torn down in 2018 to make room for a new cohousing development. It’s really breathtaking.”Īerial silks artist Ilenay Peña Vives performs with Venardos Circus, which recently pitched a tent at West Towne Mall. This new facility is a tangible example of that. “If the community wants to get something done, they will make it happen, but it takes leaders like those at Madison Circus Space, people who are courageous and see things differently, to stand up and get something started. “More space for magic and wonder will always be in demand,” says Venardos. While in town, the members of the Venardos Circus had an important stop to make: Clown Kirk Marsh and silks artist Laura Gwendolyn Burch joined Venardos on a tour of the Madison Circus Space, a 10,400-square-foot facility scheduled to open in late October. The popularity of troupes like Venardos and Cirque du Soleil, which don’t use animals in performances, proves that human tricks are enough to enthrall an audience. They screamed as performers from Romania shot crossbows at balloons with their eyes closed, the target only inches from their assistant’s head. The audience whooped as Cuban aerial artists flew through the air held by only a leather strap around their heads. You look to your left and you look to your right, and there’s all these families enjoying these wonders together.” “But there’s also another level, and that’s getting you to experience this live event in the company of your own community.
“We’re here to bring people together to witness the amazing things people are capable of when we set our minds to it, from the aerialist in the air to the acrobat balancing on her one hand,” says Kevin Venardos, founder and ringmaster of the Venardos Circus. The theme of the night was, “Live Your Circus Dream.” 21, every one of the 350 seats was sold out. Stage lights, party music and the smell of fresh popcorn drew hundreds of families into the 90-foot by 60-foot traveling circus space. Glitz and glamour, juggling, clowns (sans creepy makeup) acrobats and…crossbows? More than a few surprises were in store when the Venardos Circus pitched its red-and-white striped big top tent in Madison’s West Towne Mall parking lot.