We are Owen and Cora, a circus artist duo from New England, who have trained together for a year and a half in hand-to-hand and partner acrobatics. We met at Circus Smirkus in 2022 and have performed over 200 shows together. We enjoy coaching young circus performers at Flying Gravity Circus, traveling for various training and gig opportunities, and rehearsing our 80’s aerobics themed street performing show with our good friend Reid. Come see us on Cape Cod this summer!

We are enrolled at San Diego Circus Center in the ProTrack and making our move to the west coast soon. We are excited to train more, learn new skills in partner acrobatics, and get to know this section of the US for the first time.

Since our postsecondary educational path is not traditional, there is no financial aid or student loan programs to help. We are responsible for our school tuition and cost of living. While we intend to work as much as possible, our schooling is full-time and demanding, limiting work hours to weekends and evenings. We need help to make our San Diego circus goals a reality!

The cost of tuition is $10,000/year for each of us. We are great at living frugally, but with the current rental market, our housing and utility costs are about the same. Our savings and part-time jobs will be just enough to cover our basic needs and we are prepared to take additional gigs any chance we get, coaching, performing, etc. We are incredibly grateful for any help towards our tuition at SDCC!

About Owen:

Owen has trained and performed in circus arts for most of his life. He began in a Boston area summer program as a young child. When he was 6 his father passed away unexpectedly and his mom decided to relocate to rural New Hampshire for more affordable opportunities and a nature-filled lifestyle. Shortly after entering his new school community he connected with Flying Gravity Circus where he first attended camp, then classes, and later the higher level performance troupes. Owen grew up spending his free time in the circus studio building a strong foundation in several disciplines including juggling, tumbling, and tightwire.

In a 2020 audition, Owen made it onto the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, a pre-professional youth troupe that tours New England and performs over 60 shows each summer. Owen’s passion for performing and making audiences laugh was ignited in the Smirkus ring in a variety of clowning roles and acts. Owen also developed an interest in partner acrobatics and began training intensively as a base in 2023. After 9 months of developing strength, stability, and reflexes he invited one of his best friends to move to New Hampshire and train as his flyer, with the goal of forming a duo, attending circus school, and performing together. Owen is excited to begin this next chapter with his favorite bicycle-riding and thrifting sidekick.

About Cora:

Cora has also been doing circus for most of her life. She began at Circus Culture, a studio in Ithaca NY, where she trained in several disciplines until she was 16 years old. She developed a passion for unicycling, as well as other disciplines. Just before COVID, Cora’s interest in circus arts intensified and by 2022 she auditioned for both Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour and École Nationale de Cirque’s (ENC’s) high school program in Montreal, QC. With an acceptance into both programs, she thrived in her first summer of Smirkus and followed it immediately with a move to Montreal to embark on her grueling but rewarding journey as an ENC student.

In January of 2023 Cora sustained a serious knee injury that halted her mobility and forced her to pause training for several months. This abrupt shift was hard on Cora and she was grateful for the support of close friends and a generous community. The care she received helped her (literally) get back on her feet and begin training again just in time for another Smirkus summer. As her professional circus arts aspirations were rekindled, Owen reached out to her and she moved to New Hampshire a few weeks later.

For the last year and a half Cora has adjusted to life in rural New Hampshire and become a well-loved member of Owen’s family and circus community at Flying Gravity Circus. When Cora is not training with Owen or teaching kids circus classes, she can be found cuddled up with one of the furry family members who believe Cora is the best one of the pack. Cora is so excited and so thankful she has one of her best friends beside her and she hopes that all will fall into place for them.

This year Cora and Owen spent most of their time training, coaching, assisting with the day-to-day tasks of Flying Gravity Circus, and finding creative ways to expand their skills and performing opportunities. They have spent time in North Carolina (at PitchCatch, a partner acrobatics intensive), New Orleans (to work with another acrobatic base and friend), Philadelphia and New Haven (where Cora performed with the Minty Fresh Circus), and Cape Cod, MA where they are working as street performers for the remainder of the summer. They cannot wait to get to San Diego Circus Center where they will have many high level coaches who have performed around the world.

Their hard work and resulting savings provides them with a starting point for their plans this fall. Without additional aid, however, Cora and Owen may have to work more hours than their SDCC program can accommodate or be managed with their rigorous training and class schedule. Please consider donating to help Owen and Cora fulfill their circus career goals and keep the performing arts alive!

photo credits: Justin Miel, Lindsey Masterson

Smirkus video clips credit: Chase Levy