Values of the Vaults

Like any other community, the people of the circus are all working towards a mutual goal with mutual values. What values do circus communities uphold?

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Circus Values

People of the circus have their own collective values that ensure the shows run smoothly and represent the community’s desired ideals. In Ferguson’s text about Zippo’s Circus, he explains that the circus community at Zippo’s has always valued extending a helping hand: “‘in the circus, everyone helps everyone’” (4). This kind spirit that flows throughout this specific circus community is likely a vital part of what keeps the show running, the performers inspired, and the audiences smiling. The “spirit of the carnivalesque” is also a major element of the Zippo’s Circus community; this includes an emphasis on ‘grotesque’, ‘acrobatic’, and sexual images of the body” (13). This unique value of Zippo's circus suggests the originality and Zippo’s circus also has a community that values humor and ‘clowning’, which is their term for playful, free-spirited behavior. This particular circus community loves to play tricks on one another and joke around a lot. This helps keep the personality of the circus alive.

FSU Circus Values

According to my interview with Rachel Jones, the core values of the FSU Flying High Circus entail teamwork, communication, and accountability (Jones). The circus community of FSU is clearly one that strongly supports one another. Being responsible for one's own acts and equipment as well as helping others with their acts and equipment is an important aspect of the FSU Circus (Jones). The FSU Circus also values the importance of the audience's experience. The backstage and rigging crews stay silent while preparing for upcoming acts so that the audience can fully experience the show in each moment. For more, see "Spotlight: An Interview with Rachel Jones".