As the FSU Circus performs in its 76th year, we reflect upon the history and tradition of the program which are woven into the fabric of Florida State University. Thousands of students have been able to take part in one of the most unique college activities in the United States. It is something distinct to FSU and is a part of what makes this campus such a special place.
Since the program began in 1947, the campus has changed dramatically as have the students. The expectations of the students are higher and the standards of the University have been raised. The academic reputation of the University as well as its overall national rankings are ascending.
The circus too must strive to provide improved opportunities for students and support them to the best
of our ability. We need the tools to do so.
The primary need now is our facility, built in 1965. It is time to address the older building in a way that will not only meet our current needs, but account for the future growth of the program.
A new and expanded circus facility would be an exciting feature for FSU and a hub of campus and community involvement. Situated in an exceptional location along the activity corridor, this building would speak to campus residents and visitors alike. This would be a feature no other campus could boast and something all of the FSU family can call their own.
The FSU Circus has embarked on a capital campaign to expand its current facilities and ensure the Circus remains an enduring FSU tradition. These new facilities will provide larger rehearsal spaces, storage for a growing equipment inventory, public amenities for our sold-out shows, dedicated locker rooms for student performers and so much more.
Renderings by Architects Lewis + Whitlock
Photos by Bob Howard
SPANISH WEB
JUMP ROPE
I joined circus my freshman year looking to find ways to meet people and be involved on campus, but never imagined all the amazing things it could have brought into my life! I have made lifelong friends and found an amazing community that is so full of support and love for every
member. I have found a passion for performing I never expected to have, and I have learned amazing skills and strength I did not know I was capable of. I am so grateful for the cast and crew for always pushing me to new heights!
When I auditioned for the FSU Flying High Circus back in 2019, I never could have dreamed the impact that it would have on my life. When I was lucky enough to have been cast in the Circus, I was not only introduced to some
incredibly cool party tricks, but I was thrown into a group of the most supportive and uniquely talented people I have ever met. I learned that nothing is impossible, and you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it.
I can’t explain in words how grateful I am for the experiences and connections I have made during my time here under the big top, and for the people who have become my family. The support, encouragement, and love that is in every corner of this tent is priceless and I am all the better for it. This community has taught me to always get back up, always strive to be unapologetically you, and to always reach for the stars.
It’s hard to put into words how much this program means to me. Throughout my college career, it’s helped me gain confidence to face new challenges, inspired me to think critically and artistically, and most importantly it’s introduced to me to some of my closest friends. I wouldn’t
be the same person I am today without the FSU Circus, and I am very grateful to all its staff and members.
PHOTOS BY BOB HOWARD, DAYNA LENK, & KAITLIN SIMPSON
CLOWNING
LOW CASTING
DOUBLE TRAPEZE FLYING TRAPEZE
I’ve always been drawn to the stage and loved performing, I used to do a lot of theatre growing up, so circus was the obvious next step. I’ve joked about that before, but truthfully I’ve never been able to express myself better than when I’m performing in the tent. I feel like in these past years the circus has allowed me to grow so much as a person, and not just from constantly overcoming mental and physical challenges. I love what I do, but it’s the people that make me love circus, it’s a community that has welcomed me with open arms and has become a family I couldn’t live without. Any success I have in shows is just a credit to everyone else in the circus who has supported, stood by my side, and shown me a kindness like I’ve never experienced before. It’s hard to explain just how much joy the circus brings me, but when you see me on stage smiling from ear to ear as I take my final bow, I think you’ll understand.
For our performers, this journey began last August when our cast was first assembled. With a group of over 100 FSU students, we run a complete working circus operation.
WE TRAIN DAILY WE RIG OUR EQUIPMENT AND WE EVEN RAISE THE TENT
Now, eight months later, through a concentrated and determined effort these students have put together a full-length circus production.
We are proud to present the 76th Annual Home Show Series, COSMIC!
Space photos courtesy of NASA /JPL-Caltech
Did you have trouble finding your seat? You’re not alone. This unlikely pair of passengers find themselves fumbling at every stop, and our flight attendant can’t quite seem to keep them in check.
This lovely team is here to entertain and inform you throughout our journey. Sit back, relax, and make sure to pay attention as they assist our captain in delivering our most important rules.
This courageous captain is here to safely guide you from galaxy to galaxy! With hair up to Saturn and a license to fly, you’re in good hands as she takes us from planet to planeteven if we do have a few… unplanned stops along the way.
From the far flung corners of the galaxy, we’d like to introduce to you a group of desert-faring aliens you will not soon forget.
In the limitless expanses of space, it can be a bit overwhelming to know exactly where you are and what’s around you. But never fear, we have an intrepid team ready to storm the stars and light the path to safety.
Attention Passengers, we are currently approaching an interplanetary toll booth run by the new and improved Nexus-9 androids. You may feel a slight tingling sensation as they scan over our ship and catalog our cargo. Keep your seatmates close and your contraband closer as we pass through the scanners of our cybernetic security guards!
From the academy to the galaxy these cosmic cadets march to infinity and beyond to defend the planet you call home. Give a salute to the few, the proud, the vanguard of the stars!
Temperatures rise as we close in on our next destination. Our wheeled masters of magma thrive in this planet’s inhospitable terrain; while other species would perish, our volcanic virtuosos flourish!
I am over the moon to announce that we have reached the next stop in our quasar quest! But beware! Do not allow yourself to be allured by the sirens awaiting you in the dark-matter-depths beyond.
In the northernmost part of the galaxy, these creatures live in an icy isolation. Only to awake from their slumber to perforate the permafrost, so that they may demonstrate their gifts to us trepidatious travelers.
It seems we’ve crossed paths with another craft in our phenomenal fleet. Commanded by two of the finest pilots we have employed in our enterprise, this ship is second to none in terms of speed and grace - aside from our own, of course.
As we travel from planet some unexpected sites Soon these nebulas will clouds to form the stars night skies. But for now, take a moment to gaze marbled majesties!
Living high in the mountains world, these creatures display mastery over both the physical realms. Be rendered with species performs in pairs
We have a surprise appearance journey, as we’ve encountered local legends; This special solar system to purge the substances. Watch with together with tenacity.
On a planet that has flooded millennia, these swimmers of a soggy situation. These been saving surfers and while demonstrating daring displays.
Traveling once every 5000 is a rare sight to see these entities exploring the outer-reaches universe. Keep a close eye idols as they spin through
planet to planet, there are outside of our ship. combine their colorful stars that we see in the I encourage you to upon these marvelous POLE mountains of their home display the utmost physical and spiritual with awe as this social pairs to defy gravity.
If you look around the inside of our stellar ship, you’ll easily notice the enigmatic engineering that prevents any mechanical issues. However, if you find yourselves in need of space-side assistance, there is only one group for you to call upon; find yourselves astounded by the intelligence of this relentlessly crafty crew
Be cautious and courageous, dear passengers! Our sensors indicate that we have some uninvited guests aboard our luxury craft. This crew of bold buccaneers, armed with wily tricks, that aim to charm and disarm you.
appearance on our encountered some of our special team patrols our the stars of any toxic wonder as they work flooded in the last swimmers have made the best These strongmen have swimmers galore, all daring acts and dizzying 5000 years to Earth, it these extraterrestrial outer-reaches of our eye on these interstellar through the starlight.
In the northernmost part of the galaxy, these These ethereal entities will allure and astound you. Watch with wonder as they glide effortlessly through the cosmos, moving in tandem and with spectacular opulence.
Chad Mathews - Director
Charley Mason - Associate Director
Nate Stapp - Associate Director
Celina Dezzuto - Creative Director
Allie Hetherington - Assistant Director
Misha Souponitski - Guest Coach
Sam Abel - Guest Coach
A special thank you to the staff of the FSU Student Union, FSU Student Affairs, & the FSU Foundation for your support!
Since 1947 the FSU Circus has been a constant feature of Florida State University campus. The story of the circus is one of dedication, perseverance, trust and lifelong friendships. Multitudes of students spanning the decades have come together to make this special program what it is today.
When they began their circus involvement they may not have had any experience or any idea of what they were about to experience. After months of training, rigging and learning, they were able to showcase their talents and skills to their fellow students, the community and even people in different countries.
The names of those people who participated in and created the foundation of this program and ensured its continuous success are too numerous to list. We are here today to honor the great tradition and memories of all those who came before us, those who allow us to fly high.
Thank you to all our FSU Circus Alumni!
We would not be here today without you.
A special thank you to the incredible generosity through their support of our program!
Angela Seymour Carol Ballantine Chuck & Donna Ross Douglas & Karen Ullman
Elaine Tully & Bob Woodward
Jayne Mittan Meghan & Morty Gudelsky
The FSU Student Foundation
Trish Kohler
Outside Rings
DOUBLE TRAPEZE
Center Ring
CLOWNING
DANCE
TRIPLE TRAPEZE
JUMP ROPE
CLOWNING
SWINGING TRAPEZE
RUSSIAN BAR
BIKE FOR FIVE
WEB
ROLA / SLACK
SKATING
DANCE
WIRE LOW CASTING
CLOUDSWING
CHINESE POLE
BALANCING QUARTET
LYRA
FLYING TRAPEZE
TEETERBOARD
CLOWNING
JUGGLING
Row 1 - Katherine Smith, Grant Poston, Ricardo Patiño, Jillian Carta, Emilia Rodriguez
Row 2 - Shelby Simmons, Lucas Wilson, Saralynn Premer, Hayden Lenk, Connor Pierson, Connor Bishop, Gabby Hart, Austyn Gerhart, Christina Browder
Row 3 - Adriana Melendez, Ellie Koch, Amanda Connor, Gianna Previte, Brooke Walter, Hannah Cooper
Row 4 - Madison Sarvis, Victoria Pagan, Riley Williamson, Daly Santana, Gina Masterson
Not Pictured: Olivia Ogles
PHOTOS BY KAITLIN SIMPSON
Take a walk across campus to see our 75th anniversary, then & now banner series and catch a through-the-years view of our operation.
Since 1947, FSU students have taken a chance and joined our troupe, learning first hand that there really is something special about the circus. In curating these photos, we found that in 75 years of “Flying High”, the transformative experience of being a part of the circus
bridges all generations of FSU Circus performers. No matter when you graduated, the thrill of performance, the mastery of a skill, and the friendships made, mark being a member of our troupe and are hallmarks of the
The then & now banner series was created in collaboration with the FSU Heritage Museum & Archives, University Relations, the FSU Museum of Fine Arts, the Division of Student Affairs, DSA Marketing, University Communications, and the FSU Foundation.
Photographs by the FSU Photo Lab, Bob Howard, Kaitlin Simpson, Maury Neipris, and Barry Mittan
Addison Nance
Adriana Melendez
Ais McFarland
Alex Herndon
Alison Roush
Alyssa Lee
Alyssa Migenes
Alysia Price
Amanda Connor
Amber Daniels
Ana De Leon
Annabelle Riha
Ariana Katsaras
Ashley Jongerius
Austyn Gerhart
Ava Polly
Brian Friedlander
Brooke Walter
Cait McCall
Callie Skaggs
Carolena Arroyo
Christina Browder
Connor Bishop
Connor Pierson
Cooper Garrard
AUBURN, AL
MELBOURNE, FL
JUPITER, FL
HIGHLAND, MI
PEPPERELL, MS
BOULDER, CO
ORLANDO, FL
GAINESVILLE, FL
WESTON, FL
CONYERS, FL
PANAMA CITY, PA
CLEARWATER, FL
JACKSONVILLE, FL
ORLANDO, FL
PANAMA CITY, FL
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL
NORTH BELLMORE, NY
GULF BREEZE, FL
ST. PETE BEACH, FL
ORLANDO, FL
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
DELRAY BEACH, FL
ORLANDO, FL
OMAHA, NE
JACKSONVILLE, FL
Business Management
Business Management.
Nursing
Public Relations
Intl. Affairs / Linguistics
Behavioral Neuroscience
Exploratory
Music
Business Management
Acting
Industrial Engineering
Marketing
Biological Sciences
English / Intl. Affairs
Criminology
Exercise Physiology
Computer Science
Public Health
Nursing
Biology
Psychology
Criminology
Electrical Engineering
International Affairs
Computational Science
Daly Santana
Eden Mateo
Elizabeth Stanton
Ellie Koch
Emelia Rodriguez
Emily Shay
Ethan Dhanarajan
Faith Harris
Frederique Audet
Gabby Hart
Gabie Manzo
Gia Pendleton
Gianna Previte
Gina Masterson
Grace Hejmanowski
Grace Lumpkin
Grant Poston
Gwynne English
Hana Grubb
Hannah Cooper
Hayden Lenk
Izzy Jackson
Jake Radtke
James Grussing
Jameson Lombardy
CLEARWATER, FL
ST. PETERSBURG, FL
NAPLES, FL
WESTON, FL
LIVE OAK, FL
CROWNSVILLE, MD
TALLAHASSEE, FL
FORT MYERS, FL
BOCA RATON, FL
CUMMING, GA
TALLAHASSEE, FL
MIRAMAR, FL
BOYNTON BEACH, FL
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL
JACKSONVILLE, FL
SARASOTA, FL
BURLINGTON, VT
CLEARWATER, FL
ORLANDO, FL
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL
WAKULLA, FL
NAPLES, FL
KNOXVILLE, TN
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL
INDIAN HARBOR BCH., FL
Criminology M.S.
Interior Design
Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt.
Finance
Mechanical Engineering
Accounting
Exercise Physiology
Social Science
Neuroscience Biology
Public Health
Hospitality
Public Health
Social Science Education
Psychology / Criminology
Marketing / Hospitality
Computer Science / Creative Writing
Intl. Affairs / Spanish
Biochemistry / Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering
Psychology
Biochemistry
English
Jeanni Castro
Jillian Carta
John Michael Shircliff
Jonathan Hammond
Jonathan Sullivan
Kaitlyn Givens
Katherine Smith
Katie Donnelly
Katie Jones
Katie Limentato
Kayley Rodier
Kylie Gibson
Lauren Lazar
Lexy Glor
Lindsey Gilmore
Lindsey Like
Liv Ogles
Liza Francois
Lucas Wilson
Madison Rist
Madison Sarvis
Maia Goldstone
Mairen Manning
Marcelo Felix
Matilda Varine
SARASOTA, FL
SAFETY HARBOR, FL
ORLANDO, FL
COCONUT CREEK, FL
SARASOTA, FL
MIAMI, FL
ST. PETERSBURG, FL
ANNAPOLIS, MD
ATLANTA, GA
CHAMPAIGN, IL
TALLAHASSEE, FL
TALLAHASSEE, FL
SARASOTA, FL
TAMPA, FL
PENSACOLA, FL
BRIGHTON, CO
BRADENTON, FL
FORT MYERS, FL
PALM HARBOR, FL
PALM HARBOR, FL
CRAWFORDVILLE, FL
ORLANDO, FL
GAINESVILLE, FL
OVIEDO, FL
SEVERNA PARK, MD
Cml. Entrepreneurship
Exercise Physiology
Criminology
Finance
International Affairs
Biology
Public Health
Business Accounting
Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt.
Motion Picture Arts Animation
Psychology
Social Work
Accounting
Criminology
Global Club Mgmt. & Leadership
Crime Scene Investigation
Chemical Oceanography
Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt.
Physics & Astrophysics
Theater
Accounting Biology
Interior Design
Anthropology
Political Science / Economics
Maverick Haghighat Schiller
Mikayla Prushik
Nelly Santiago
Nicolas Porcelli
Nyah Fisher
Paris Graham
Pearse Koch
Pierce Thomas
Preston Dilley
Rafe Ewert
Remi Ventura
Ricardo Patiño
Richie Gonzaga
Riley Williamson
Sarah DeVoe
Saralynn Premer
Shane Rober
Shelby Simmons
Sophia Barker
Sydney Zambrana
Tanya Pattison
Toby Sloan
Tricia Wilson
Victoria Pagán
Zack Gearhart-Robboy
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL
MATTHEWS, NC
KISSIMMEE, FL
DORAL, FL
TAMPA, FL
LITHIA, FL
WESTON, FL
DADE CITY, FL
MILTON, GEORGIA
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
FANWOOD, NJ
PANAMA CITY, PA
PALMETTO BAY, FL
HENDERSONVILLE, NC
MILTON, GA
ST. PETE BEACH, FL
MIAMI, FL
WEBSTER, FL
BOCA RATON
PINELLAS PARK, FL
COCOA BEACH, FL
TALLAHASSEE, FL
TALLAHASSEE, FL
ORLANDO, FL
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Computer Science
Psychology
Chemical Engineering
Meteorology
Exercise Physiology
Business Mgmt. / Real Estate
Mgmt. Information Systems
Motion Picture Arts Production
Exploratory
Computer Science
Envir. Science / Criminology
Civil Engineering
Nursing
Digital Media Production
Theatre / Biochemistry
Meteorology
Mechanical Engineering
Theatre / English
Management
Studio Art
Anthropology / Art History
Industrial Engineering
Actuarial Science
Political Science
Electrical Engineering
Intuitively designed, it’s everything you need – and nothing you don’t. Now featuring Lucky Goat Coffee.
Intuitively designed, it’s everything you need – and nothing you don’t. Now featuring Lucky Goat Coffee.
Intuitively designed, it’s everything you need – and nothing you don’t. Now featuring Lucky Goat Coffee.
