Two years ago, those who attended the Shoestring Circus in Olympia found themselves immersed in a medieval fantasy world; last year’s show took place in a museum. This year’s performance, “Dreamland,” is once again completely new, and absolutely original. It’s also the greatest reach to date for the tiny circus.
“This is the most ambitious show we’ve done, prop-wise and performance-wise,” founder and co-owner Sadye Osterloh said recently. “It’s our biggest show yet.”
“Dreamland” features a cloud swing, dancers, counting sheep, aerialists, acrobats, rope tricks, comedy, a contortionist and much more, in a surreal landscape that mirrors the magical world of sleep and unconsciousness.
“The whole audience goes on a journey through the lens of a dreamer,” Osterloh said.
This year’s show — the circus performs in Olympia from June 19 to 28 — also features new performers. Just over 20 years old, Ilse Baryshnikov has already made a name for herself in circus circles as a contortionist — she’s the granddaughter of renown ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and actress Jessica Lange. Nick Ng, an aerialist who previously performed with Dolly Parton and Cirque du Soleil, is also a new face, as is Shoestring’s first international performer, Fleuriane Cornet, an acrobatic bike artist. Only 15 performers were chosen from the 320 audition videos the circus received last fall.
Only in its fourth year, Shoestring Circus was founded in Bellingham, Wash. by four veteran circus performers: Osterloh, Matthew “Poki” McCorkle, Justin Therrien and Nicole Laumb. The four founders/co-owners divide up operational jobs according to interests and skills, with Laumb handling marketing and ticketing, McCorkle doing finance, lights and sound, Therrian the boss of the big top, and Osterloh overseeing technical needs and rehearsals. Oh, and they also perform, each having honed their skills over a decade or more. Likewise, the others who round out the show not only amaze audiences with aerial and acrobatic feats, but are the folks selling you popcorn and guiding you to your seats.
“Everyone does everything,” Laumb said.
Each year in the fall, the co-owners begin the process of creating a new show.
“We try to have a different show each year, so it feels to people who come every year that they’re coming into a whole new world,” Osterloh said.
The process begins with brainstorming, throwing out ideas, no matter how wild. Through a collaborative process, they zero in on the ones they find inspiring, shifting responsibility for creating and directing the performance each year. For “Dreamland,” Osterloh and Laumb share the leadership. And those who don’t lead still make significant contributions.
“A lot of the beautiful and amazing images in this year’s show came from Justin’s brain,” Osterloh said.
The group is excited to share “Dreamland” with this year’s audiences. They hope those who attend feel a sense of “joy and magic and whimsy and heart,” Osterloh said, and come away with “a sense of inspiration and connectedness with each other, and with the performers.”
The Shoestring Circus is supported by the Port of Olympia.
Photos by Philip Pavliger.
WHAT:
The Shoestring Circus
WHEN:
Friday, June 19, 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m., 7 p.m. (2 shows), Sunday, June 21, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. (2 shows), Wednesday, June 24, 4 p.m., 7 p.m. (2 shows), Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m., 7 p.m. (2 shows), Friday, June 26, 4 p.m., 7 p.m. (2 shows), Saturday, June 27, 1 p.m., 5 p.m. (2 shows), Sunday, June 28, 1 p.m.
WHERE:
Under the big top tent; 650 Marine Dr. NE; Olympia
COST: Front row seats, $55, adults (13 and over) $35, Children (3-12) $17, under 3, sitting on parent’s lap, free
TICKETS, and INFORMATION:
shoestringcircus.com