Big-top fun awaits at ‘Circus Zirkus’ exhibit
Kids can practice various circus skills using props and costumes at the Chicago Children’s Museum’s “Circus Zirkus” exhibit. BRIAN JACKSON ~ SUN-TIMESby jennifer burklow
from: Chicago Sun-Times Kid Zone
February 1, 2012
Have a kid who wants to join the circus? Well that’s now possible thanks to Chicago Children’s Museum’s “Circus Zirkus: Where You’re the Star of the Show,” running Feb. 3 to Aug. 12.
This highly interactive exhibit developed by museum staff (including staffers with professional circus backgrounds) lets kids in on big-top action from two perspectives: backstage and center ring.
“This is not a circus where you’re just a spectator,” said Jennifer Farrington, president and CEO of the museum. “This is a circus where everything from the preparation that practices the skills, the poster making, the behind the scenes to the performing is all for the children or for the family members — there’s nothing to say that mom or dad can’t jump in and spin plates. We wanted to give children an environment that really inspired a do-it-yourself circus experience.”
Museum staff wanted to follow the popular “Move” exhibit with another physically immersive exhibit that encourages movement along with dramatic play, Farrington said, and hit upon the circus theme as a way to accomplish those goals.
“We loved the physicality [of “Move”]; we got a lot of great feedback,” she said. “We wanted to imbue the next experience with a lot of dramatic play and fantasy. … We just thought that circus is such a rich theme in children’s literature; it’s such a unique experience for children to go to the circus — it has this magical element to it. We hit upon the topic pretty quickly and decided what we really wanted was a do-it-yourself circus.”
“Circus Zirkus” offers visitors two entrances: one to the “grittier” backstage area and one to the center ring. While backstage little performers can practice circus skills using a variety of props and costumes, create routines for the spinning hoop or flying trapeze (which can be made wheelchair accessible) or make circus poster art.
“It is about practicing skills and creating a routine — that backstage feel,” Farrington said.read more at:http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/weekend/10351006-421/big-top-fun-awaits-at-circus-zirkus-exhibit.html
This highly interactive exhibit developed by museum staff (including staffers with professional circus backgrounds) lets kids in on big-top action from two perspectives: backstage and center ring.
“This is not a circus where you’re just a spectator,” said Jennifer Farrington, president and CEO of the museum. “This is a circus where everything from the preparation that practices the skills, the poster making, the behind the scenes to the performing is all for the children or for the family members — there’s nothing to say that mom or dad can’t jump in and spin plates. We wanted to give children an environment that really inspired a do-it-yourself circus experience.”
Museum staff wanted to follow the popular “Move” exhibit with another physically immersive exhibit that encourages movement along with dramatic play, Farrington said, and hit upon the circus theme as a way to accomplish those goals.
“We loved the physicality [of “Move”]; we got a lot of great feedback,” she said. “We wanted to imbue the next experience with a lot of dramatic play and fantasy. … We just thought that circus is such a rich theme in children’s literature; it’s such a unique experience for children to go to the circus — it has this magical element to it. We hit upon the topic pretty quickly and decided what we really wanted was a do-it-yourself circus.”
“Circus Zirkus” offers visitors two entrances: one to the “grittier” backstage area and one to the center ring. While backstage little performers can practice circus skills using a variety of props and costumes, create routines for the spinning hoop or flying trapeze (which can be made wheelchair accessible) or make circus poster art.
“It is about practicing skills and creating a routine — that backstage feel,” Farrington said.read more at:http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/weekend/10351006-421/big-top-fun-awaits-at-circus-zirkus-exhibit.html
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