To kick off Welcome Week, DSU (metaphorically) pitched a big top tent over Byrnes Auditorium and welcomed the performers of the Imagine Circus. Those in attendance were treated to a high energy show consisting of acrobats, jugglers, aerial performers, belly dancers and several more mesmerizing acts.
One of the two charismatic hosts and organizers of the show, Adam, was really impressed by the Winthrop crowd and hopes to come back next year.
“Oh man Winthrop is awesome,” Adam said. “They were so enthusiastic and extremely supportive, and remembered all the performers names, and man you guys are the best.”
The circus is based in Raleigh, NC and have performed all over the country. The performers have been a part of the circus collective ranging from five to 15 years. Often having to travel for training, just last year performers found themselves traveling to San Diego, Spain and New Mexico.
“Even though it’s not a full time job, it feels full time because we are always practicing and training,’’ Gina, an acrobat, noted.
The performers have all taken different paths that lead them to circus life and even still, live very different lives off the stage. Storm, the main aerialist performer of the night, is a full time teacher who often practices at her gym and with her students. Mike, another acrobat, holds a day job as a paramedic. While Adam has gathered his main income as a circus performer for 17 years
One portion of the show that featured Adam and his co host, Bash juggling everything from bowling pins to sharp knives. During this time volunteers were brought on stage. One of the volunteers in of the middle of the action, and the very sharp knives was Winthrop student, Joseph Calamia. He had a blast on stage.
“I had so much fun up there and I really hope they come back because I would do it again,” Calamia said.
The hosts, Bash and Adam, were responsible for the order and presentation of the show.
“Each one of the performers has worked on the skills they have, a lot,” Adam said. “We worked with the performers to see which of the acts they felt really good about and what balanced with the other performers.”
Ultimately, the energy of the audience was electrifying, excited, and engaged in a way that is infrequent in Byrnes Auditorium. There was a shared adrenaline rush and childlike wonder that was palpable from the crowd. The feeling of this energy was not lost on Adam.
“I want the audience to identify with me as a person and to see me going through a challenging experience and for us to do that together,” Adam explained about his performance. “I really see it as a whole group thing, and the ability to tune in with that many minds at the same time, for all of us to be focused on the same thing, in the presence of eachother, where we’re breathing together, and although I can’t see anyone while I’m up there, it’s a really personal experience.” 
Last Saturday we took a trip to the circus and began this semester with an unforgettable bang. Welcome Week events continue through Sunday, Aug. 26. Imaging circus and all their travel adventures can be found on their website imaginecircus.com.