As the Triton Troupers Circus prepares to bring big-top excitement back to the area this month, three longtime members reminisced about their first circus experiences and how circuses have changed in recent years.
Kevin Haines, of Burbank, has been a Trouper for almost 30 years. During that time, he has coached beginners on the arts of tightwire and unicycle.
“Back in the day there were a number of shows that used to come through the Chicago area,” Haines recalled. “The Shriners Circus downtown at the Medinah Temple. Circus Vargas used to come through. I really enjoyed tightwire when I would see the shows.”
When he attended Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal, he joined that school’s circus.
Many of the same stunts have been consistently performed throughout his circus experiences, Haines said. How complicated those stunts are is based on the skill level of the performers, he said.
“The nature of most of the acts is still basically the same,” he said. “One of the biggest changes is the animal acts have gone by the wayside. Staple acts would have been a lion or tiger tamer, an elephant routine, an equestrian act, whether it be bareback riding or an act more in the terms of a display act with horses.”
Haines said audience perception was a main reason they stopped doing animal acts in circuses. “Even though their animals were well cared-for, you would get protesters,” he explained.
A positive change has been increased safety, due to such factors as advances in rigging capabilities, Haines said. “How can we safeguard the performer while still maintaining the excitement of a particular act?” he said.
In terms of performances and safety, the Triton Troupers Circus is like other circuses. The main difference is that the performers are not professionals but amateurs who take a class in the skill they want to develop.
“We try our best to give the most professional type of show that we can give with the performers we have,” Haines said.
Lynn Zumstein, of Plainfield, has been a Trouper for almost 30 years, coaching many acts, including juggling and unicycle. She saw the Ringling Brothers Circus and other circus shows as a child.
“I loved seeing the clowns. I loved balloons. I always tried to get a balloon every time I went,” Zumstein recalled. “I thought the whole thing was fascinating and cool to watch.”
She also pointed to the vanished animal acts as one of the biggest changes to circuses in recent years. “There were a lot of reports of animals being mistreated and not being given appropriate space for them to be healthy,” she said.
Zumstein observed that improvements in technology have led to changes in the risk level of stunts. “For instance, with flying trapeze acts, they’re able to do risky things now because they have better equipment that they didn’t have when circuses were first around,” she said.
One thing that has not changed, Zumstein noted, is that “safety is still a very high priority so that’s why you will typically see body lines on performers.” But, she said, they are more concealed than they were in the past, though.
Triton Troupers Circus has kept up with the times in terms of equipment and safety. “Triton is kind of unique in being able to take anyone from the general public and letting them perform,” she said. “We’ll teach them whatever they want to learn.”
That’s the fascination with circuses, Zumstein explained. “It’s seeing the phenomenal things somebody can do if they put their mind to it and perfect their skills,” she said.
Jena Watson, of Melrose Park, has been a Trouper for around 18 years and has coached partner stunts and other skills. She is also the production manager and assists with new Trouper orientation. Prior to that, she traveled with a small circus for seven years.
“My parents took me to Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey every time it came into town,” she said. They also took her to the Shriners Circus when it came around.
“It was something magical with my entire family,” Watson said. “That was a moment where you can step outside of the normal, everyday blah and share something special with your family.”
After the elimination of animals from most circuses, Watson attended one where there was an animal act, but it was an animatronic frog.
“It was really neat and it was fun,” she said. “They were trying to preserve the history of animals being in circuses without violating any of the rights.”
Watson is convinced that safety has greatly increased in circuses in modern times. “OSHA standards have increased,” she said.
In terms of changes in performances, Watson said, “I’ve noticed that things have gotten more artistic, more theatrical. Society is kind of swaying towards a different type of entertainment. In order for a lot of these circuses to survive, they have to adapt.”
You can see how the Triton Troupers Circus combines athletics and artistry at 7 p.m. April 16, 17, and 18, and 1 p.m. April 18 and 19 at Triton College’s R Building, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. Tickets are $10 cash at the door or online at tritontrouperscircus.com. Information is at 708-227-6068.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
