In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, walking through the flaps of a circus tent was truly a teleportation to another world. Not only were the spectacles inside breathtaking escapes into fantasy for spectators, but the circus served as one of the few allowable escapes from what could often be a mundane daily life. 

For the workers in these spaces, the circus served as a portal out of and into many things. In this selection from Circus Life, we’ll consider what we gain and what we give up when we choose to step through the portals that we come across. 

Text: Micha Childress’ Circus Life: Performing and Laboring Under America’s Big Top Shows (1830-1920)

Date: Sunday, August 23 at 10am Central

Location: South City with Chris and Michelle

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