Teen Heads Back To Big Top For Circus Dreams, Death-Defying Acts

BAITING HOLLOW, NY — Children young and old have long had dreams of running away and joining the circus.

And for trapeze artist, aerialist and juggler William Borges, 17, of Baiting Hollow, that dream has become a reality. He has been accepted for his second exciting summer season with the Vermont-based Circus Smirkus, the country's only traveling youth circus, for its 2018 Big Top Tour.

William trains at iFly Trapeze in East Meadow, Circus Warehouse in Long Island City, EAC & C3 in Boston and Gym-Nest Gymnastics in Medford. He attended Circus Smirkus camp for one year and is thrilled to be performing with the traveling circus for a second season.

Last fall, William, currently in 11th grade at Riverhead High School, submitted an audition tape to Smirkus headquarters in Greensboro, VT, and was called for a live audition in January.

This year, he will travel and work with 29 other performers aged 10 to 18; their skills include juggling, wire-walking, clowning, acrobatics, hula hooping, aerials, and unicycling.

The young performers will travel to Greensboro, VT for three weeks of intense rehearsals at Smirkus headquarters later this week, then hit the road for a 68-show tour in 16 cities and towns in the northeast over the course of seven weeks, a release said.

Circus Smirkus, with Troy Wunderle as the show's artistic director and Mark Longergan, the creative director, trains kids in all facets of circus production. As “Smirkos,” they will join fellow troupers in taking care of props, selling concessions and popcorn, and working cooperatively with the professional tent crew, light and sound technicians, equipment riggers, costumer, musicians and others who travel with the one-ring show, the release said.

This year, Circus Smirkus continues the tradition of Smirkus’ theme-based shows with "Vaudeville!"

Enchanted by visions of death-defying high wire acts, clowning around and displaying dazzling juggling skills, William said he'd long yearned to join the Circus Smirkus family.

Reflecting on his first summer last year, he said it was "amazing. It was so much fun. I got to do so many shows, and I learned so much from all the coaches, and all my peers."

William said he loved all the acts he participated in. "There was never a time when I went on the stage that it wasn't a great experience. Things are always changing on stage — it's fun to go with the flow."

Not only did he garner invaluable circus experience, but he made lifetime friends, William said. "When you're living with these people for 10 weeks, you get really close to everyone."

Delighting audiences and meeting crowds of wide-eyed fans was a life-altering experience, he said. "I really feel like it helped me to improve my conversation skills, because every time we changed sites, I was put into a host family at that site. Those one-on-one conversations really helped build my confidence."

He took great delight in seeing how the children in the audience reacted to the circus, William said. "After the shows, the let the audience come into the ring and meet all of us. I loved seeing how happy the kids were. It was nice to see we can make people happy," he said.

The audition process this year, William said, was a bit less stressful, because he knew so many at Circus Smirkus. "I was able to have a lot more fun with it, instead of being stressed out."

His winning three-minute audition included an impressive display of aerial straps technique and hat juggling. "It was fun and difficult," he said.

There were also stations set up at the audition so aspirants could display their skills sets, he explained.

William, who leaves Friday for his next great adventure with Circus Smirkus, said he's excited; he'll be in more acts than last year and he's excited to meet the new members of the group. He's looking forward to honing his skills in aerial straps, with the diablo, a Chinese yo-yo, and the banquine, or partner acrobatics, act.

When asked how he can manage — no pun intended — to "juggle" his training with schoolwork, William said he always finds the time. "I'm up kind of late. And my mom really helps with bringing me to places where I can train."

Dawn Borges, William's mom, said watching her son's success is immensely gratifying. "I'm just glad we're in a position where we can foster his training and his love for the circus and performing. It's a family affair."

Last year, his family attended about 10 of the season's 68 shows in New England, she said.

This year, she said, while her mother's heart is sad to see him go, "He's excited for it. And it's definitely easier because now we know the process, and that he's happy with it."

Looking ahead, William said his goal is to audition for as many circus schools as he can, in locations such as Canada, France and Sweden.

William offered advice to other kids fostering deeply rooted dreams: "Never give up. I remember something my seventh grade science teacher told me: 'Figure out what you love to do and figure out how to make a living from it.' It's stayed with me ever since."

William and his whole family said they have a deep love for the circus and the traditional wonder found within the tent.

"It's great entertainment. There's always something you can find in a circus that's amazing and fun to watch," William said.

Despite a world divided by political concerns and prejudice, Dawn said the circus is an equalizer. "Everyone we've met, in all the circus facilities, have been so accepting and supportive of anybody, of any skill level and personality, of any personality and culture. Everyone just feels at home. That's why I think we fell in love with it so quickly."

William agreed and said when you meet a fellow circus performer, even if it's just for a brief time, there are always new skills to learn and talents to share.

The young performer said last year that being accepted to travel with Circus Smirkus this summer was the most exciting thing that's ever happened in his life. "I'm looking forward to the memories I'll make, and the excitement. I'll always remember this," he said.

For information and tickets on Circus Smirkus, click here.

Photo by Robert Sanson.

Live auditions video, January, 2018; photo credits Andy Bell and Andrew Levy.