THE BALLOON MAN

 

The lady in the center ring at Shrine Circus

 

contributed photo

 Audrey Michelle Alvarado, self-described ringmistress, entertains the crowd during a performance of the Shrine Circus.
By Eric Woods Special to the Reporter-News
from: reporternews.com
Posted October 4, 2012 at 3 a.m.
Although many moms juggle hectic schedules, Audrey Michelle Alvarado's schedule often includes jugglers as she coolly commands from the center arena of a three-ring circus filled with elephants, tigers, clowns, motorcycles and acrobats.

She does it all wearing a plumed top hat, a sequined costume and a smile.

Alvarado is the ringmistress of this year's Shrine Circus, one of only a few female ringmasters in the world.

"There are probably — off the top of my head — I can think of about maybe three or four ringmistresses, including myself," Alvarado said. "I just think that maybe circus people are kind of a little old-fashioned. They still kind of think of the ringmaster as being done by a male."

 

 

Photo by Wayne Posner, Copyright 2011 Wayne Posner http:// www.wayneposner.co
A performer prepares for his act at the Shrine Circus. The circus will offer two performances Saturday in Abilene.

The Shrine Circus offers two performances Saturday at the Taylor County Coliseum, one at 2 p.m. and another at 7:30 p.m. A pre-circus party one hour before each event includes face painting, pony rides and even an opportunity to climb aboard an elephant.

Alvarado, of El Paso, is a third-generation circus performer who started working with her parents when she was 6. Both her father and grandfather were hand balancers. She first found her niche as an aerialist and an animal trainer while working with her brother Taj. She eventually decided to try her hand as a ringmistress.
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