THE BALLOON MAN

How the circus is 'Built to Amaze'

 

Crews transform the Amway Center for 143rd edition of Ringling Bros. Circus
from: cfnews13.com
By Allison Walker, Entertainment Reporter/Anchor
January 09, 2013
ORLANDO -- Jason Gibson was in the Army. He also went to Full Sail University in Winter Park. So when he attends his high school reunions and tells his former classmates that he has been traveling with the circus for 16 years, you can imagine their shock.
 And he wouldn't have it any other way.
 "It's awesome!" Gibson beamed, who's the Ringling Bros. "Built To Amaze" assistant general manager.
 Tuesday, he took me inside the Amway Center while crews were constructing the stage.
 "We have about 40-50 crew members that help set up the show," Gibson said, looking up at the cable extensions attached to the ceiling. "We also have our high-wire act. They actually set up their own riggings, so it's kind of like a skydiver packing his own parachute because, I mean, it's an extremely dangerous job. They want to do their rigging to make sure everything's ready to go."
 The crew needs to set up the stage 45 times because the circus train is stopping in 45 cities. The biggest challenge, he says, is space.
 "Usually we have the buildings that [have a] 200 x 85 foot floor. If we have that, we're good to go on the floor. We can fit everything on the floor for the show. This place -- this is amazing. Amway Center is awesome! This is so great to be here."
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