RBBB-HERSHEY

Circus to arrive next week in Hershey

 

rom:  cumberlink.com
By Naomi Creason, The Sentinel
May 16, 2013
April Vollm has been a comedienne for 12 years, but she was surprised at how she arrived at her latest gig — a clown with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
“The Greatest Show on Earth” is scheduled to arrive at the Giant Center in Hershey next week, and Vollm has been preparing since last year to be a part of the world-famous clown alley.
“It was kind of by accident,” the West Coast resident said. “I saw they were holding auditions in New York, so I went and it turned out great. They offered me a spot. Everybody deserves a chance to run away with the circus once in their lives.”
Last February’s audition with the Ringling Bros. Clown College meant Vollm would get a chance to be part of the performance and will appear at next week’s “Built to Amaze” show. It’s so far proven to be a unique experience for her.
“Being a clown for the Ringling Bros., you’re always on,” she said. “There’s a certain style of clowning. There’s slapstick — it’s a lot of work.”
Vollm is used to entertaining diverse audiences. She went on an international tour as a member of Tops and Blues, an Air Force entertainment contingent. Touring with the military, however, was a little different than touring with the circus.
“I can expand my boundaries and collect all kinds of skills and abilities here,” she said. “You can learn anything at Ringling Bros., look at all the talent! I’m so excited to be here and to live on the circus train too!”
Vollm said she personally enjoys some of the magic performances — having married a magician — as well as some of the mainstays of the circus, including the animals.
What she says is special about this show is the intended audience. While children will always be an attraction for the circus, Ringling Bros. is looking to make this a tradition with young adults as well.
“Ringling Bros. is catering to a new audience,” Vollm said. “(Built to Amaze) is the most modern of any Ringling circus shows. There will always be kids, but it’s also a way to keep the tradition alive in many families. We have an older population who comes in every year, but we’re looking for a new wave of audiences.”
The overall show features
more than 110 performers and 95 exotic and domestic animals. Visitors can see what it takes to build the circus as performers bring forth the circus machinery and build up the circus during the show, which will be at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Built to Amaze will opens an hour before showtime with the All-Access Preshow, which is available and free to all ticket holders.
Even as a performer, Vollm said she’s looking forward to seeing the awe in children’s faces and seeing what her fellow performers can do. “Everything is just so phenomenal,” she said.
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