BRATTLEBORO-The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) presents the inaugural Vermont Circus Festival, which is set for the week of Nov. 2–9.
The Vermont Circus Festival is a regional event with an international draw framed around circus performances, workshops, seminars, and pop-up activities.
The seed of the festival began as an annual weekend of circus activities put on by NECCA for the past 15 years. For 2025, "NECCA is rebranding and expanding the experience" to the Vermont Circus Festival, adding guest company performances and a variety of activities beyond the walls of NECCA's trapezium, organizers wrote in a news release.
By partnering with local organizations, NECCA is offering many ways to engage with the circus in town.
Organizers say the festival will draw roughly 200 participants in more than 50 workshops; five performances of three different shows; at least 20 free classes, seminars, exhibits, and discussions, and a "Clown Crawl" at Friday night's Gallery Walk.
In addition to workshops in aerials, acrobatics, flying trapeze, and mime, free activities for the community include circus classes at NECCA for youth and adults, "Clowns on Ice" at Nelson Withington Skating Facility (supported by Brattleboro Recreation & Parks), a circus-themed book reading discussion with Brooks Memorial Library, a circus painting exhibit and art discussion featuring longtime circus performer and globally celebrated fine artist and illustrator Karen E. Gersch at 118 Elliot gallery.
A "History of Circus in Vermont" seminar will be held with Circus Smirkus Founder Rob Mermin, "Silver Circus" classes for those age 50 and up (sponsored by AARP Vermont), a "Directing for Circus" roundtable with internationally recognized directors (supported by Vermont Humanities Council), figure drawing with acrobat models at The Drawing Studio, and student shows at area retirement homes (sponsored by Ben & Jerry's Foundation).
Three shows will grace the stage at NECCA's trapezium featuring guest company Parallel Exit's new show "I'll Take It" on Friday, Nov. 7, an Alumni Cabaret on Saturday, Nov. 8, and a Beta Night Open Stage on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Organizers say the goal of the festival "is to culturally and economically enliven New England's rural community through circus arts."
For more information, contact NECCA at info@necenterforcircusarts.org and view the full schedule of events and get your tickets at necenterforcircusarts.org.
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