Circus Arts

The circus is a show full of amazing tricks and fun acts. Circus performers can fly through the air or balance on ropes. Clowns make the audience laugh with silly jokes. Circus arts take years of hard work to learn. Kids and grown-ups love going to the circus.

Acts in the Circus

A circus has many different kinds of acts. Trapeze artists swing high above the ground. Tightrope walkers step across thin ropes. Acrobats do flips and jumps together. Clowns make people laugh with funny tricks. Each act tries to surprise and wow the crowd.

The Modern Circus

The modern circus began in England in 1768. A man named Philip Astley put on the first show. He added jugglers, acrobats, and horse riders together in a ring. Today, famous circus groups like Cirque du Soleil travel around the world. Their shows mix music, dance, and story with amazing stunts.

Fun Facts

• The circus ring is always 42 feet across in most traditional circuses.
• Cirque du Soleil started in Canada with just 20 street performers.
• Some circus schools teach kids how to juggle and tumble.

Did You Know?

Most modern circuses no longer use wild animals. They use only human performers in their shows.