Sad but true; this is your third and final installment of the Doctor Sick’s burlesque series: What does it take to do a good job talking a Burlesque show? Well, it helps to have a quality show, with performers who are prepared and professional, with their music already set, the routines fully costumed and rehearsed, [...]
Get ready for your second dose of Doctor Sick’s burlesque series: There’s two types of gigs for announcers. He or she (or they) is either a member of the troupe or a hired gun. Being a member of the troupe generally leads to taking on multiple production roles (see Part 1), moreso than an outsider [...]
This week, HeyRube is delighted to present a three-part commentary on the burlesque announcing biz by guest writer Doctor Sick. Sit back and enjoy part one: The lights turn low, the pre-roll music fades out, and then some schmuck, schmuckette, or schmuck duet walks up to a mic and starts warming a crowd, so they [...]
Owner and stylist of Classic Cherry Productions, Orley Anderson recently teamed up with Simply TC out of Minneapolis to produce a photography series inspired by the classic sideshow strongman. Orely has been kind enough to share some of her images with us today, and answer a few questions about her process. “Sideshow or not, I’m [...]
Back in April, Lucky the Painproof Man won the grand prize of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square‘s Unbelievable Talent Contest. Today, Lucky takes a moment to tell us about his experiences as a sideshow performer, the Ripley’s experience and more: Q. Let’s talk about your name, Lucky: A. For many years, in my [...]
Released just a few short months ago, the Cole Bros. Circus documentary, Tearing Down the Tent, “grants viewers a backstage pass to one of the largest traveling tent circuses in the world.” Since premeiring at the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis, NC, this documentary has had several screenings, including at the Asheville Film Festival and the [...]
Get ready, folks! There’s a new networking site hitting the web for circus performers of all kinds. The Circus Hub was recently launched by fellow performer Shea Freelove as an attempt to connect comrades of the circus arts. Today, Shea takes a moment to explain the nature, scope and future of this site. But first, [...]
The Invisible Man Corporation has recently returned home from our Spring tour, which imprudently spanned April Fools’ Day. On the fateful evening of March 31, the devilish crew decided to alleviate some touring tension with an epic prank: When we set sails from Austin, TX and headed into the uncharted territory known as the Midwest, [...]
In 1958, Al W. Stencell scored a summer job with a traveling carnival at the age of 12, and has been working in the business ever since. He went on to form the The Royal Brothers Circus, and later established two more outfits. After a lifetime of carnie experience, Al’s photos, memorabilia and stories have [...]
Lacey Terrell has been photographing the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus for over a decade, capturing life behind the scenes on the lot. Today, Terrell shares some of her work, discusses her journey into this career path and illuminates the culmination of her time with the C & M Circus, The Passing Ring: In April of [...]