Gamma Phi Circus: Behind the Scenes in Spring 2016
Behind the Scenes: Gamma Phi Circus
April 13, 2016
Emma Horath
With the semester winding down, the Gamma Phi Circus is winding up. The circus will hit the stage April 15 and 16, making this its 87-year anniversary.
The Gamma Phi Circus is the oldest collegiate circus in the United States. Students with many different talents are coming together to put on a thrilling show.
In order to put together the show, a lot of practicing, planning and working goes on. Weekly practices held at the Horton Field House allows for the acts to rehearse, take care of preparations and just enough time for some group bonding.
Matt Flynn, an elementary education major, is involved in the tumbling and vaulting act, wall trampoline and the Russian swing for this year’s circus. Matt Flynn explains the environment at practice just before show week as being “tense but also positive and encouraging.”
Just being at practice, one feels a sense of community among the members.
“We do everything together. We are all super close. We eat, do homework and some are roommates” Flynn said.
In the midst of a practice, the 85 members will be setting up or taking down equipment for an act, working on costumes or having group meetings with the directors. The performers have put in a lot of time and effort into creating this year’s circus. They are balancing jobs, going to practice and being a full-time college student.
“There are six values that we pride ourselves on: commitment, integrity, respect, courage, unity and service” said Flynn. If you take the first letter of each of those values, it spells out ‘circus’.
Beginning the week of April 10 members of the circus will be practicing in Redbird Arena with costumes and makeup. They will also continue their tradition of wearing a plain white t-shirt to practice one day and signing each other shirts. It is like their own yearbook signing.
The director of Gamma Phi Circus, Marcus Alouan, believes he has “the best job on campus. I get to spend my time working with not only talented and hardworking students but also fun students. I am always amazed at the dedication and positive attitudes of our members.” Alouan and the performers are ready to wow the crowd.
“As Director I love watching the performers I direct grow in confidence and skill. It is always fun to watch a student surprise themselves when they do something they didn’t know they could do” Alouan said.
The theme of this year’s circus is ‘Around the World’. Alouan explains the acts will be “celebrating so many different cultures, styles of music, and dances” to go along with the theme. Members will be flying in the air on lyra rings and silks, roller skating, dancing and executing movements we did not know were possible.
Being a member of the circus is more than practicing and performing. Being a part of the Gamma Phi Circus is building friendships that will last a lifetime. Whether you are on a unicycle, lyra ring, juggling, dancing or just helping out, each member brings something new to the stage.
April 13, 2016
Emma Horath
With the semester winding down, the Gamma Phi Circus is winding up. The circus will hit the stage April 15 and 16, making this its 87-year anniversary.
The Gamma Phi Circus is the oldest collegiate circus in the United States. Students with many different talents are coming together to put on a thrilling show.
In order to put together the show, a lot of practicing, planning and working goes on. Weekly practices held at the Horton Field House allows for the acts to rehearse, take care of preparations and just enough time for some group bonding.
Matt Flynn, an elementary education major, is involved in the tumbling and vaulting act, wall trampoline and the Russian swing for this year’s circus. Matt Flynn explains the environment at practice just before show week as being “tense but also positive and encouraging.”
Just being at practice, one feels a sense of community among the members.
“We do everything together. We are all super close. We eat, do homework and some are roommates” Flynn said.
In the midst of a practice, the 85 members will be setting up or taking down equipment for an act, working on costumes or having group meetings with the directors. The performers have put in a lot of time and effort into creating this year’s circus. They are balancing jobs, going to practice and being a full-time college student.
“There are six values that we pride ourselves on: commitment, integrity, respect, courage, unity and service” said Flynn. If you take the first letter of each of those values, it spells out ‘circus’.
Beginning the week of April 10 members of the circus will be practicing in Redbird Arena with costumes and makeup. They will also continue their tradition of wearing a plain white t-shirt to practice one day and signing each other shirts. It is like their own yearbook signing.
The director of Gamma Phi Circus, Marcus Alouan, believes he has “the best job on campus. I get to spend my time working with not only talented and hardworking students but also fun students. I am always amazed at the dedication and positive attitudes of our members.” Alouan and the performers are ready to wow the crowd.
“As Director I love watching the performers I direct grow in confidence and skill. It is always fun to watch a student surprise themselves when they do something they didn’t know they could do” Alouan said.
The theme of this year’s circus is ‘Around the World’. Alouan explains the acts will be “celebrating so many different cultures, styles of music, and dances” to go along with the theme. Members will be flying in the air on lyra rings and silks, roller skating, dancing and executing movements we did not know were possible.
Being a member of the circus is more than practicing and performing. Being a part of the Gamma Phi Circus is building friendships that will last a lifetime. Whether you are on a unicycle, lyra ring, juggling, dancing or just helping out, each member brings something new to the stage.