Cora is a remarkably talented, bright, and compassionate 18-year-old circus artist. Due to the unique nature of this field, access to formal training, auditions, and higher education is limited to those who have means to travel and cover the necessary expenses for private instruction, workshops, air/train/car transportation, lodging, and the equipment specific to a given discipline. Cora resides in an area with few opportunities for career development in circus. She works hard to afford instruction, practice, and performing opportunities. She also participates in the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour each summer in New England, a youth program for pre-professional artists. As she prepares to graduate high school, Cora plans to audition for professional circus schools, obtain advanced training, and try out for performance opportunities and jobs. In order for Cora to access the necessary steps for a career in circus, she needs our immediate help to cover the portion of these expenses that she and her family cannot afford. Please consider helping this bright soul reach her dreams!

A few words from Cora:

My name is Cora Williams and I am a 18-year-old aspiring circus artist. I have trained and performed circus for nearly 6 years now. My goal is to continue on this path for as long as it takes to build my career in this exciting field.

I grew up in upstate NY and have trained at my local studio for 4+ years. I spent the last two summers touring with Circus Smirkus am delighted and saddened to spend my last year performing with my troupe this summer. Last school year I was accepted into a world-renowned high school program at École Nationale de Cirque in Montréal, Québec. It was my first real introduction to a large scale circus studio and it opened my eyes to the many possibilities available to me as a circus artist.

In January 2023, I experienced a serious injury that threatened my dreams. I dislocated my knee and tore several surrounding tendons. I had to remain on crutches, wearing a hip to calf brace, for many weeks. Once it was removed, it took 4 weeks of strength training simply to walk normally again, and several more to regain my prior capacity. This injury gave me the chance to seriously consider the importance of circus in my life and future. And it is when I realized that professional circus is what I want more than anything. Since the injury happened right before auditions that could have allowed me to continue schooling at École Nationale de Cirque, I was forced to move back home and take a pause on my studies.

A year has passed and I hope to audition this month in Montréal, and also to gain higher level training so I will have what is needed to pursue my professional circus goals after high school no matter what form they take. Due to the extensive medical costs of rehabilitation and recovery from my injury, my family's finances are stressed, and there are not enough resources available to get me to the audition and to access enough training and other opportunities in the near future. The work I already do in both coaching and performing only provides me with just enough to maintain my current level of instruction. The circus world is competitive, and it is not enough for me to progress at the level I need.

It is difficult for me to put myself out there and ask for help, and I understand that times are tough for many of us. At the advice of my friends, I am willing to try because any and all support helps right now since I am out of options. Any contributions I receive mean the world to me, and I promise to pay it forward by working hard and bringing joy to as many others I can along the way. Whether you can donate or share this with the people around you, any contributions will have a huge impact on my life and my family and I will be incredibly grateful.

Thank you so much,

Cora