Texan's job is a real circus
El Pasoan is one of just a few female ringmasters.
Audrey Alvarado performs as the ringmaster of the Alzafar Shrine Circus at Freeman Coliseum on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011.Photo: Darren Abate/Special To The Express-News / SA By Jessica Kwong
Friday, September 9, 2011
When the rainbow display of Alzafar Shrine Circus performers in the opening act clears the floor, the spotlight shines on a pedestal center stage, and you hear the ringmaster say in a sharp voice: “Ladies and gentleman. ...”
It's the voice of Audrey Alvarado, one of only a few female ringmasters in the business.
“I was a little skeptical because she is very soft-spoken, quiet,” entertainment director Alexandra Carden said. “But my husband handed her the microphone, and when she said ‘Ladies and gentleman,' we looked at each other and said, ‘Yup, that's it!'”
It's the voice of Audrey Alvarado, one of only a few female ringmasters in the business.
“I was a little skeptical because she is very soft-spoken, quiet,” entertainment director Alexandra Carden said. “But my husband handed her the microphone, and when she said ‘Ladies and gentleman,' we looked at each other and said, ‘Yup, that's it!'”
Performers greet the audience during opening ceremonies of the Alzafar Shrine Circus at Freeman Coliseum on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011.Photo: Darren Abate/Special To The Express-News / SAAlvarado, 36, is an El Paso native and the only Texan in the 68th Alzafar Shrine Circus visiting San Antonio through Sunday at Freeman Coliseum.“By tradition, it's a man's job,” said Carden, 47. “She's one to get away from having to wear a tailcoat and top hat. Her first costume is a glitter robe with rhinestones and a princess dress and tiara.”
Alvarado, who dons a bedazzled version of typical ringmaster garb later in the show, joined the circus when her mother married an acrobat. She was 4 years old.
Besides returning to El Paso for high school and some college, the circus has been her life.
An elephant performs at the Alzafar Shrine Circus at Freeman Coliseum on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011.Photo: Darren Abate/Special To The Express-News / SARead more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Texan-s-job-is-a-real-circus-2162191.php#ixzz1XRqq5e5R
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