THE BALLOON MAN

Learning the ropes

 

Mitchell Skellie concentrates while balancing a peacock feather on his nose Wednesday, May 2, 2012, during rehearsal for a circus performance at St. Mary's - St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School. The school is hosting a Circus Smirkus artist-in-residence, who is working with students from grades 3-8 all week on a variety of circus skills, which they will put on display during a performance at the school on Friday. (Jason McKibben - jmckibben@poststar.com)
by Meg Hagerty -- mhagerty@poststar.com
from: poststar.com
GLENS FALLS -- Students at St. Mary’s/St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School have been clowning around this week.


Circus Smirkus, the traveling youth circus troupe, has been doing a one-week in-residence program for students, teaching them such skills as spinning plates, juggling scarves, balancing feathers and twirling rings.


The children in grades 3 through 8 will show off their newly acquired feats with a performance for parents and younger students Friday.


“It’s an enrichment experience for the kids,” said PTSA President Judy Lebel. “They are going to have to learn to work cooperatively instead of competing against each other, and learn patience and perseverance when learning juggling or devil sticks or balancing tricks.”


Circus Smirkus artist-in-residence Jill Fleming has been working with the student performers every day for a half-hour to get them ready for Friday afternoon’s presentation.


She believes video and computer games don’t provide the same type of interaction they get with circus entertainment.


“In circus, we have to touch each other; I teach them a circus grip. They have to support and encourage each other,” Fleming said. “It’s getting beyond fear for some and appreciating others beyond just being about oneself. There is something for everyone in circus.”
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http://poststar.com/news/local/learning-the-ropes/article_8b6f2fba-9593-11e1-b842-001a4bcf887a.html