From the first fluttering moments of the Big Top being unfurled, to the last echoes of the ringmaster's call as the show draws to a close, the circus has always been a riveting display of human daring, creativity and perseverance. In this blog post, we peer behind the velvet curtains of Circus Harmony, a unique 'circus with a purpose', as told by Jessica Hentoff, its Artistic and Executive Director, during a fascinating conversation with hosts Arnold Stricker and Mark Langston on a St. Louis In Tune podcast.
Circus Harmony is far from the common conception of a circus. It is not an arena for bizarre sideshows, a chaotic office setting, or a family swirl of ceaseless activity and noise. Instead, it is a confluence of skill, creativity, teamwork, and the pursuit of positive change. As explained by Arnold Stricker, one of the hosts of St. Louis In Tune, the circus school focuses on teaching and performing circus arts to motivate social change, build character in individuals, and bridge communities together.
A Conversation with Circus Harmony’s Ringmaster
Jessica Hentoff, the Artistic and Executive Director of Circus Harmony, reveals the intricate tapestry of her incredibly unique school. With a contagious passion, she explains that Circus Harmony is a place where ordinary children are molded into extraordinary artists, where young people, regardless of their backgrounds, learn to flip, fly, and fling while also developing focus, persistence, and teamwork.
The Circus Legacy
During the engaging discussion, Jessica recounts the inspiring trajectories of the Circus Harmony alumni. She tells stories of how former students have gone on to perform on Broadway, wrestle in WWE, tour globally with other prestigious circuses and, most importantly, mentor and train the next generation in the art and science of circus.
The Circus School Programs
Circus Harmony isn't just about performance, however. They offer a range of programs that beautifully blend the world of circus with academic and socio-cultural focus areas. One of these is the "Circus Science" program where science concepts are taught through circus arts. Another is the "Architecture and Acrobats" program, where they recount the stories of historically and architecturally significant sites in St. Louis through breathtaking circus performances.
This unusual blend of physical theatre, acrobatics, jesting and societal commentary has conjured a multi-dimensional cirque experience that is Circus Harmony. 
When Ringmaster Calls, Will You Answer?
Circus Harmony offers classes seven days a week for age groups spanning from 3 to 93. Here, you can learn anything from basic circus arts to specialty skills like juggling and unicycling. For those harboring ambitions of flying high on a trapeze, there's even a hunt for a suitable arena with 40-feet ceilings for such gravity-defying feats.
Bright Lights of Unity and Empowerment
At the heart of Circus Harmony, is the belief that when you focus on what connects us rather than what divides us, you can create something truly amazing. It's about acknowledging and endorsing the universal, irresistible allure of the circus – a timeless realm where anything’s possible and everyone has their place under the big top. In Jessica’s words, "Circus should not be a pejorative; it should be a positive."
As we wrap up this tour behind the scenes at Circus Harmony, we come away with an invigorated appreciation of the circus and its potential to inspire and effect positive change. Under the careful guidance and spirited leadership of Jessica Hentoff, Circus Harmony continues to flip the script on what a circus can be and who it can empower. And that’s our kind of circus.
