Audio clip
Jason Gibson
Dozens of people wearing hard hats and T-shirts scurried about Wednesday afternoon as they prepared McKenzie Arena for performances of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Tonight many of those same people will be among the performers who walk the high wire, command elephants or dance with Bengal tigers.
“Our circus is made of ordinary people who do extraordinary things,” said Jason Gibson, Ringling Brothers, production manager.
Mr. Gibson will be among several people putting on the performance at 7 this evening.
The public is encouraged to come an hour early for a pre-show during which they can walk on the stage, meet some of the performers, get close to some animals, juggle objects or walk on a wire. That experience gives spectators a greater appreciation for what the performers do, he said.
Clair Redding, tour coordinator for the circus, said children will remember the circus forever.
The performance features a one-ring show, and everyone in the audience will have an opportunity to see the stage, she said.
“It’s breathtaking,” Ms. Redding said. “You not only see everybody on stage, you can smell the elephants, and when they sit up, you can see their hair. That’s how close people are.”
The show is more fast paced than traditional circus events and brings the audience within a few feet of the stage. Chairs will be on the floor around the stage, so some people will be close enough to hear the performers’ commands to the animals, Mr. Gibson said.
“We’re here to create lifelong memories with families,” he said. “We’re giving a chance to get a personal connection.”
The show includes a casting crew of about 100 and more than 30 performers.
CIRCUS PERFORMANCES
All shows are at McKenzie Arena, 720 E. Fourth St.
Ticket prices range from $12 to $36 a person.
Show times include:
* 7 p.m. today
* 7 p.m. Friday
* 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. Saturday
* 2 p.m. Sunday
CIRCUS FACTS
Show includes:
* 1 ring
* 30 performers
* 2 elephants
* 2 zebras
* 6 white Bengal tigers
* 6 dogs
Yolanda Putman has been a reporter at the Times Free Press for 11 years. She covers housing and previously covered education and crime. Yolanda is a Chattanooga native who has a master’s degree in communication from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Alabama State University. She previously worked at the Lima (Ohio) News. She enjoys running, reading and writing and is the mother of one son, Tyreese. She has also ...
Or login with:
New Account