1987
Circus Smirkus founded by
Rob Mermin in 200-year-old farmhouse in Greensboro,
VT. "First Vermont-based traveling circus in
over 100 years"(Boston Globe). Tour: one week!
Media coverage in The New York Times. Vermont cows
bemused by all the commotion in the field.
1988
Smirkus grows to statewide summer tour: 28 shows
in 11 towns in three weeks. Coverage in USA Today.
Smirkus coaches begin 12-year stint creating a state
fair outdoor circus in Connecticut every fall. Smirkus
School Residency program begins.
1989
“Running Home to the Circus” tour reaches
Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. First collaboration
with Project Harmony; guest troupe from Tblisi, Georgia,
USSR. Media coverage in Yankee and People magazines.
1990
"The Magician’s Apprentice” tours
four weeks. Historic collaboration with Moscow Circus
School leads to Soviet/American Youth Circus joint
tours (Spring: three weeks in Russia; Fall: three
weeks in New England), with tour winning awards at
International Festival on the Black Sea, in the USSR.
Performances in take place in Yaroslavl and Moscow
circus buildings. Coverage in Scholastic News and
Sesame Street’s Kid City magazines, and on network
TV. First summer of Smirkus Camp.
1991
“The Toy Circus” tour is first circus
ever on Nantucket Island. Latvian Youth Circus and
Moscow Circus members join Smirkus summer tour. Smirkus
co-produces Soviet/American Youth Circus-on-Ice in
winter. Russian and American coaches begin long collaboration.
1992
“East Meets West Meets East,” with guest
performers from Russia, Moldova and Kazakhstan, plus
12 teens from California’s Great Y Circus —
all joining Smirkus troupers in Vermont. Smirkus receives
Vermont Arts Council Award of Excellence.
1993
“The Princess Who Wouldn’t Laugh”
is Smirkus’ first “story circus,”
featuring classical music, Russian artists and 10
Native American performers (in collaboration with
Ringling Bros.). The Vermont Chamber of Commerce names
Smirkus a “Top Ten Summer Event.” Cover
story in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine.
1994
“Houdini Lives!” features guest artists
from Russia and Mongolia. Smirkus featured in Chronicle
of Philanthropy. Smirkus 1993 show video receives
Dove Foundation Award for Family Values. Smirkus named
one of “America’s Best Circuses”
by FamilyFun magazine. Actor Michael J. Fox visits
the tour.
1995
“Class Clowns” includes guest performers
from Russia, Mongolia and Hungary. First exchange
with Budapest Circus School. Smirkus Founder Rob
Mermin appointed Director of Ringling Bros. Clown
College. Two Smirkos graduate Clown College and win
contracts with Ringling Bros.
1996
“Lights, Action, Circus!” ’20s-style
silent movie tour. Smirkus again named “Top
10 Summer Event.” First troupers go pro with
Ringling, Cirque du Soleil and European circuses.
First Smirko Rhodes Scholar. Writer David Mamet visits
the tour.
1997
“Tenth Anniversary Birthday Party Tour!”
plays 60 shows in 44 days in 18 towns throughout New
England. Circus Smirkus: A True Story of High Adventure
and Low Comedy published, with foreword by Marcel
Marceau. Smirkus wins “Bessie Award” for
excellence in our field. Smirkus founder and coaches
perform in “Festival of Circus” at the
Kennedy Center in Washington,D.C.
1998
“50s Rock n’ Roll Tour” rocks our
new, 750-seat European Big Top! Troupers from the
USA, Russia, Israel, Mongolia and China experience
first exchange with the Wuqiau School and Chinese
Acrobatic Arts Association. Troupers win “People’s
Choice” Award at Swedish International Circus
Festival. Smirkos perform with Vermont Symphony Orchestra.
1999
“The Adventures of Robin Hood” rollicks
New England villages and Martha’s Vineyard.
Entire summer filmed for the Disney Channel. The Alberto
Zoppe family from Italy joins the tour with Percheron
horses.Marcel Marceau gives a smashing benefit performance
in the Smirkus tent. Smirko high wire walker wins
place in Guinness Book of World Records. Hollywood
producer Norman Lear brings friend Dom DeLuise to
visit the tour.
2000
“Voyage of the Pirate Queen” storms New
England with troupers from 5 countries and 7 states.
IndoKids from Indonesia join the tour. Smirkus performs
with Sesame Street’s Bob McGrath. Smirkus acclaimed
“The UnitedNations of the Youth Circus World”
at the celebrated International Children’s Festival
at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
outside Washington, D.C. The Disney Channel broadcasts
“Totally Circus,” a 15-part Smirkus TV
documentary, around the world. Vermont Chamber of
Commerce names Smirkus one of “Mom’s Top
Picks for Kids.”
2001
“Sci-Fi Smirkus: A Space Idiocy” lands
in 15 towns with 72 shows in seven weeks. First appearance
of the Chicago Boyz, and full collaboration with Chicago’s
Midnight Circus. First Arab-Israeli circus kids from
Jerusalem perform in the Smirkus tent as part of a
joint peace program. Julia Child joins Honorary Smirkus
Board of Directors after visit to Smirkus chuck wagon.
Smirkos stand out at first festival of American Youth
Circus Organization (AYCO). Smirkus invited back to
the International Children’s Festival at Wolf
Trap.
2002
“Legends of the Wild West” rides into
town with a live six-member bluegrass band (The Route
Seven Ramblers), “First Nation” dancers
and cowboy rope spinners from the Southwest. Smirkus
Advance Camp creates a road show to tour hospitals
and nursing homes. Smirkus alumni span the globe performing
and teaching.
2003
“The Legion of Laughter: Superheroes of Smirkopolis”
soars into action with directors of The Midnight Circus
and performers from Sweden’s youth circus troupe
“Cirkus and Variete.” Smirkus School Residency
programs expand to four artists-in-residence; Summer
Camp adds Smirkling and Family camp sessions. Tour
photo booklet published. Year-round staff grows to
15, seasonal staff to 100.
2004
“Smirkus Through the Looking Glass” slides
down the rabbit hole. Smirkus featured on “The
Martha Stewart Show.” Volunteers for Peace join
Smirkus with students from Spain, France, England
and Poland. Nine Smirkus alumni star in SeaWorld-San
Antonio stage show, “Riptide.” Smirkus
founder
Rob Mermin receives Vermont Arts Council Award
of Merit and Lund Center “It Takes a Village”
award.
2005
Collaboration with Sandglass Theater of Putney, Vermont,
produces a ringful of puppets, high-flying Troupers,
minature donkeys, talking crickets, and a kindly Geppetto,
as “PINOCCHIO!”runs
(amuck) through the Big Top.
See you at the circus!
