TSA Students Clown Around, While Building Skills, Community

By Jennifer Sensenich

The Sharon Academy middle school students have been immersed in the act of "clowning around."

This does not just mean foolish behavior, but the actual art of clowning. The students have been working on their first-ever middle school circus, which will take place Friday, April 6 at 7 p.m.^, at the Sharon Academy High School. A pre-game carnival begins at 6 p.m.

For two weeks, the middle school has taken a break from academics and focused on a different kind of learning. Students have been learning new skills and responsibilities, along with practicing teamwork and cooperation to create a show.

"It’s exciting, and it gives us a new way to explore our talents and learn to be on stage," says acrobat Chloe Jennings.

The school community has been a craze of jugglers, acrobats, unicycles, artists and dancers practicing their new skills, as well as face painting, practicing music, brain storming the story line of the show, developing acts and creating and building carnival games. Students are involved in all aspects of developing the show including set design, costumes, make up, and advertising. They also construct their own carnival booth for attendees to participate in before the actual circus performance.

"The circus gives students the confidence to perform in front of an audience," said middle school head, Pam Ward. "Even the shyest students, given a clown costume and unicycle will feel comfortable in their own skin."

This year’s guest artistic director of the immersion program is Troy Wunderle, also artistic director of the famed Vermont youth circus troupe, Circus Smirkus. He also founded Wunderle’s Big Top Adventures, a company which develops the circus arts in groups of all ages, through workshops, residencies and shows.

Tickets for this event will be sold at the door.

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