CIRCUS ART SPOTLIGHT

Kelly was born to circus parents. Her Mother's family, The Campas are one of Mexico's largest & oldest circus families. Kelly grew up on travelling circuses, touring the United States & Canada before pausing to attend high school. After college, Kelly returned to the circus for a few years before deciding to stay in Sarasota working in circus administration, eventually becoming part of The CAC team.

Miguel Trejo Vargas is a fifth-generation circus performer. He has been a flying trapeze artist since he was 7 years old. Most recently, he worked as a performer in Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba and then became an artist coach with La Nouba and other Cirque du Soleil shows. Soon he will be joining The CAC as the Sailor Circus Head Training Coach.

Jennifer is the Executive Vice President of The CAC, having been with the organization for 12 years. Her work experience has stretched to the corners of the nation. Previously she served as the Executive Director of Miss America Teen Scholarship Pageant and organized cultural, professional and other events nationwide. Jennifer also served as Associate Director of Special Events and Alumni Relations at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Jennifer Lemmer Posey is Tibbals Curator of Circus at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. With research interests focused on the relationship of the circus arts, mass media, and popular culture, she has contributed to many publications and journals. She has also served as Editor for Bandwagon, the Journal of the Circus Historical Society & was an Advisory Scholar for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2017.

Grant is a Sailor Circus Alumni who was with the program for 12 years! He’s still a circus devotee who returns every January to help us with the “Marvelous Miraculous Circus Machine” – an arts integrated Education Outreach program offered to 5th grade classes. These students have been studying concepts brought to life in this incredible presentation.

Jon Griggs has been with the circus his whole life! He attended the Ringling Bros. Clown College and then became a performer with the circus where he eventually worked his way up the ranks to become General Manager of the Gold Unit. In addition to juggling, Jon walks on stilts, was a catcher for the flying trapeze and is an amazing coach at the Sailor Circus Academy.

Olga Coronas is a wife, mother & professional aerialist. She’s traveled the world on her circus artistry & now coaches silks at the Sailor Circus Arena. She joins us with two of her students, Maria Martellacci Reimann, 50 and Sharon Gresham, 60. Both have been practicing the silks for over 4 years & have become certified trainers. Hear their inspiring stories – you’ll want to try a class too!

Today we shine the spotlight on Jared Walker. Jared has been involved in the theater as an actor, director, choreographer and designer, most recently as the Costume Manager and Summer Camp Director for The Players Theatre in Sarasota, FL. He has spent over 25 years honing his craft and loves working with the Sailor Circus Academy students developing the themes and costumes for all their shows.

As a child, Al Calienes would peer over a neighborhood fence in Brooklyn trying to view the Big Apple Circus as it setup. The excitement of those days stuck with him and at the age of 26 he decided to join the circus himself. Through hard work, a willingness to learn and passion for his chosen profession, the Remarkable Renaldo was born.

Today we shine the light on Henry Barragan. Henry is a founding member of Circus Sarasota now The CAC. He began working with Pedro and Dolly in 1998 to help launch and support the very first performances of Circus Sarasota under the Big Top. Henry comes from a circus family and spent many years working with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Circus.