A Circus family is full of tears and smiles, triumphs and turmoil, heart-wrenching injuries and gut wrenching saves, all mixed in with lots of love. No matter where you turn: on stage, behind the curtain, in the Roust corner, behind the bleachers, in the Director’s area, in the hole, on deck, in the costume trailer, at parent patrol, in merchandising, in concessions, at the ticket table, throughout the Redlands Y in the months of April and May, you will notice hundreds of people working together for the show.

Circus is my church, temple, mosque, and sanctuary. It is my holy space where the Universe, God, Jesus, Abraham, Buddha, the Great Spirit all converge to show me what it means to be in awe. I have wept watching a performer, that I have seen grow from a child to a young woman, flying high above us, securely held onto by the sheer strength of her father; nothing more but his love for her. I have stopped dead in my tracks glorified by a procession of stilt walkers, towering above me, gracefully gliding by to go on stage. I have smiled walking into concessions with a dad or two covered in cotton candy and a mom or two with their arms elbow-deep in popcorn. I have been amazed at the sheer strength and agility of rousts to get so much done on and offstage while spotting our performers; angels can live in the dark you know. I have seen costumes lost and magically appear to quell the tears of a performer. I have known Goddesses who have earned their right because they have worked in Circus costumes for over 40 years. I have seen young adults grow into adults, get married, have children of their own and return to Circus because that is where their home is. I have seen Life. I have seen Magic. I have seen the Holy and all while being a part of a Circus family.

-Samita Syed-Needelman