'One Man's Trash' is Another Man's Cirque Us Show
Cirque Us is a contemporary circus troupe known for its innovative and captivating performances. The group features a diverse ensemble of talented performers who combine acrobatics, aerial arts, dance, and theater elements to create visually stunning and emotionally engaging shows. Their performances often incorporate storytelling, unique choreography, and a blend of traditional and modern circus techniques. Cirque Us is celebrated for pushing the boundaries of circus arts and delivering unforgettable experiences to audiences.
Photo courtesy of Cirque Us.
Small, intimate circus performances offer a unique and enchanting experience that transports audiences into a world of wonder and awe. The audience is often just a few feet away from the performers, allowing for a more personal and immersive encounter with the incredible talents on display. The absence of large crowds creates an atmosphere of intimacy, where every laugh and every gasp is shared among a select few.
These performances often feature a close-knit group of artists who excel in their respective disciplines, whether acrobatics, juggling, aerial arts, or clowning. The smaller stage allows for a focus on storytelling and character development, adding depth to the acts and creating a richer narrative for the audience to follow.
What truly sets intimate circus performances apart is the palpable sense of vulnerability and authenticity that the artists convey. With no flashy distractions, the raw talent and sheer dedication of the performers shine through. The audience can feel the sweat, hear the heavy breaths, and witness the determination etched on the faces of those who push the boundaries of human capability.
Perhaps the most magical aspect of these shows is the direct interaction between the performers and the audience. Laughter, gasps and applause become a shared language, forging a remarkable connection between the two. It's not uncommon for artists to step off the stage and into the aisles, blurring the line between spectator and performer and inviting everyone to participate in the spectacle.
Cirque Us founder, director, and performer Doug Stewart gave us the origin story of "One Man's Trash:" "The show is actually on its fifth life. 'One Man's Trash' started in 2016 as the first show Cirque Us did! It was back in 2016. There were eight of us, and we were all graduates of Circus Schmircus. We all just came together and decided we wanted to put on a show. Where do we start? We're gonna need a set and props, and all those things are very expensive, and we don't have any money. OK, what can we do that's free? What can we do that's accessible? Someone says, 'Well, what about trash? There's so much of it.' We spent weeks driving around, grabbing trash by the side of the road. We went to the thrift store. We went to donation bins. We got an entire set; we got entire costumes. We wound up making an entire show around trash and repurposing material."
"It's a very fun show - there are about six acrobats that live in this junkyard trash world, some trash gets delivered, and then we all must work together to solve what to do with all of it. It's very fun, it's high energy, it's very immersive, and it features all the classic circus disciplines. We have aerials, acrobatics, contortion, clowning, and live music, and there's really something for all ages and for all audience members to resonate with and connect to.
Photo courtesy of D J Shiffhauer Photography.
Doug is no stranger to the traditional, massive "big top" circus, but he has a genuine affection for smaller venues and audiences.
"I was just on an arena tour, so I have done it. When you go to see an arena show, there's a lot of spectacle; there are a lot of flashing lights. In an arena, you're trying to entertain 10s of thousands of people. As an artist, there's something about connecting with a smaller audience that just you're not able to do on such a big scale. I think the hook is just the human element of this show. There's a moment where you can feel the entire room breathing together, all on the same page. That's really beautiful. When you're performing in a smaller setting, the audience influences the show, and they're vibing back with us. There's so much dialogue, there's communication with the audience, and it feels like we're talking to them because we often are.
While the Cirque Us crew is happy to bring the audience thrills, Doug is quick to point out that there is more for the audience to take away from a Cirque Us performance than laughs and gasps.
Photo courtesy of Cirque Us.
"There's a nice sense of camaraderie and teamwork and friendship and supporting each other, and I hope that when people come, they just remember to, you know, have, have fun and to make like we're playing in the trash, and we're covering ourselves with trash bags and this is kind of, you know, take life a little less seriously and support each other and be a family and be nice to your neighbor and all that stuff. It's a feel-good show and that's what we hope the audience takes away from it."
In a world that often feels disconnected and fast-paced, small, intimate circus performances offer a chance to slow down, marvel at the extraordinary, and be reminded of the beauty of human artistry and connection. They are a testament to the enduring charm of the circus, proving that even in the coziest of settings, the magic remains undiminished.
Mahwah, NJ | February 3, 2024 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
