Cirque Us Stories

Since its founding in 2016, Cirque Us has rapidly grown into one of the most notable contemporary circus companies in the country. Its eight original company members quite literally stitched a show together with recycled materials and old car tires, culminating in the first tour of “One Man’s Trash” in 2016. Since then, Cirque Us has expanded to produce and tour original, full-length works year after year, alongside educational experiences such as camps, workshops, and other events for people of all ages and abilities. The DailyUV.com calls Cirque Us “the perfect blend of sophistication and fun,” and “non-stop action that keeps you guessing as to what is to come next.” Audience members rave, sharing testimonies like “Fantastic Show! In the last week, I’ve seen Cirque du Soleil, Circus Smirkus, and Cirque Us, and Cirque Us is the one I came back to see a second time!” With every year boasting a larger tour and improving the quality of each new production, Cirque Us is proud to hit the road for our 10th season. Not only are we creating a BRAND NEW SHOW for the first time since 2019, but this will be our first tour with a social mission at the forefront of our creative process. As part of our mission to spread circus magic and build confident communities, we are thrilled to share that this new show is being developed specifically with community in mind. Alongside our regular performance venues, we have partnered with a set of schools, libraries, and community centers to bring the circus directly to the people. Access to high-quality performance and arts education is a precious commodity, and through the help of strategic partnerships and grant funding, we are so excited to support the reach and accessibility of the arts with this show. Looking ahead, we have exciting plans and hopes to see droves of new audiences, young readers, and future artists attend Cirque Us Stories free of charge, all across New England.

Maeve Beck (she/her) – Hand Balance, Contortion. 5th Cirque Us Tour.

Maeve Beck is from Turners Falls, Massachusetts where she began her circus journey at nine years old at the New England Center for Circus Arts in Brattleboro, VT. Maeve has trained full time in NECCA’s ProTrack program and at The Sellam Circus School in Biddeford, ME in the professional training program. She specializes in contortion, hand balancing and hand to hand. She has traveled and performed throughout the country with Live 305 Entertainment, Vampire Circus, Santa’s Circus at SeaWorld, Piccolo Zoppe, and with Cirque Us’ RagTag and One Man’s Trash tours. This will be Maeve’s 5th time touring with Cirque Us and she can’t wait to be back with such a fun cast and a new creation!

Mariah Fraker (she/any) – Clown. 6th Cirque Us Tour.

Mariah Fraker is thrilled to be on her sixth production with Cirque Us, and excited to be a part of an all new creation! Mariah attended Bont’s International Clown School in Spain, and she has performed in shows in Chicago, Boston, DC, Quebec, and Menorca. When Mariah is not away with the circus, she can be found making coffee for politicians, traveling the world, or working at Smirkus Camp. Mariah is also known for her s’mores and over-the-campfire grilled cheeses.

Jeremy Cifonie (he/him) – Aerial Rope, Clown. 3rd Cirque Us Tour.

Jeremy Cifonie is a Chicago-based artist whose circus career began with the Gamma Phi Circus at Illinois State University where he trained, performed, and graduated before starting work as a high school English teacher. He spent his nights and evenings working as a circus artist before leaving the school system to pursue circus full time. Most recently, Cifonie has worked and performed with Cirque Dreams, Cirque Us, All Wheel Sports, Westchester Circus Arts, and The Vampire Circus. Away from work, Cifonie often spends his time reading borrowed paperbacks, making coffee, playing video games, and wearing mismatched socks.

Tyler Jacobson (he/any) – Hand Balance, Hula Hoop. 2nd Cirque Us Tour.

Based out of Southern California, Tyler joined the Great Y Circus as an afterschool program in 2006 and has been with the circus ever since. Tyler has been traveled the world for both academic and acrobatic reasons. In addition to attaining degrees in English and Spanish from Walla Walla University and a master’s in Cultural Studies from Claremont Graduate University, Tyler has performed with Pippin, PaperDollMilitia, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, The Amazing Acrobats of Shanghai, and Cirque Dreams: Holidaze, as well as Pomp, Snow, & CIRQUEumstance. Tyler is also a multi-instrumentalist and sews many of his owncostumes. He is delighted to join the cast of Cirque Us Stories for his next venture with Cirque Us.

Phoenix Baisa (she/her) – Dance. 1st Cirque Us Tour.

Phoenix Baisa is a dancer and choreographer based out of Indianapolis, IN. She most recently was a dancer for Cirque Dreams Holidaze, an assistant for Transcend Dance Convention, danced in and co-choreographed for Reconstruct Choreography Exhibition in Los Angeles. Phoenix has performed various times at Clay Cooper Theatre for Kidz Roc, and she also danced in and co-choreographed for the musical artist Rhoda. At a younger age, she modeled and appeared on the cover of Motionwear Dance Magazine. Phoenix also appeared on an episode of Dance Moms, on season 3 of the series. As a disciplined, hard-working and motivated artist, Phoenix looks forward to what the future holds.

Jordie Campbell (she/her) – Straps, Hand Balance. 1st Cirque Us Tour.

Jordie Campbell is an interdisciplinary circus performer, coach, and curious explorer of all things movement. She performs and creates original work both on and off the ground, specializing in aerial silks, rope, strap loops, and a signature blend of ground movement influenced by years of dance, acrobatics, hand balancing, and contortion training. With over ten years of performance experience, she has trained and performed with an array of apparatus on a variety of stages from cabaret shows to full length productions. Jordie is passionate about collaboration between people, styles, and interests. From movies to music and art, she draws inspiration from many sources to create movement uniquely her own and strives to encourage the same in others.

Seth Ingram (he/him) – Jump Rope, Acrobatics. 1st Cirque Us Tour.

Seth Ingram began jump roping at the age of 5. Since then, he has traveled the world teaching and competing in the sport. He has won multiple individual and team jump rope championships at the national and world level. He is the 2022 National Individual Overall champion, a 2023 National Double Dutch champion, 2019 World Jump Rope Individual Freestyle Champion, 2023 Jump Rope Throw Down runner-up, and a first-place winner at VIVA Fest 2023. Seth has jumped rope for notable names including Disney, Britain’s Got Talent, the NOLA Pelicans, and Cirque Dreams! He is passionate about performing and loves to share jump rope with the world on stage.