A Ring of Life Lessons: Celebrating 75 Years of the Sailor Circus

By Tom Reese | November 2024

Since its inception as a high school gymnastics class in 1949, the Sailor Circus Academy has blossomed into a premier youth circus training program held right here in Sarasota at the Circus Arts Conservatory. Renowned globally as The Greatest ‘Little’ Show on Earth, the Sailor Circus holds the distinction of being the country’s longest-running youth circus, enchanting over 1 million spectators over the last 75 years.

The circus and Sarasota go together. When John and Mable Ringling moved to the area in 1927, they brought the excitement of the circus with them. Many families involved in the circus moved to the area, and many of their children attended Sarasota High School. During your run-of-the-mill physical education classes, these children began practicing their acrobatics and gymnastics skills, causing a wave of more people interested in learning the art.

Over time, the interest evolved into a sanctioned program where artists involved in the Ringling Circus began teaching classes to Sarasota High School students. It resulted in performances being held in circus tents at the end of the school year where these talented kids could shine in front of a public audience.

The success of the program continued, and the Sailor Circus began their run as the longest running youth program in the country in 1949. The name “Sailor Circus” came from Sarasota High School’s mascot, the Sailors. The school originally chose this mascot because their students had to sail across waters to reach St. Petersburg and Tampa for competitions before the Skyway Bridge was opened in 1954.

As times changed, the Sailor Circus eventually needed a new home after being part of Sarasota High School and the Police Athletic League for nearly 60 years. The Circus Arts Conservatory and its founders, Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs, stepped up and took over the program in 2011, leading to its current state, the Sailor Circus Academy. As Dolly was a part of Sailor Circus in her youth, this was a very special transition for her.

“The Sailor Circus is not just an afterschool activity. It truly is one of the most special gems of Sarasota. For 75 years it has impacted hundreds of thousands of children’s lives in a positive way, teaching them creativity, endurance, discipline, respect, camaraderie, and a self-pride that cannot be taught, but earned. They take these lessons with them along with many lifelong friendships,” said Dolly.

At the Sailor Circus Academy, students engage in a challenging, yet rewarding, after-school program that focuses on developing essential life skills, fostering self-discipline, building confidence, and instilling a strong commitment to success. All of this takes place in a supportive and secure circus environment.

There is a vast array of incredible coaches with global experience leading the charge at the academy. These individuals have dedicated their lives to the circus. A great example of one of these spectacular coaches is Dolly, who in 2015 became the first circus artist to be a NEA National Heritage Fellow in recognition of both her continuing artistic accomplishments and contributions as a teacher. These coaches are here to pass on their craft and lift up the next generation so that circus arts can thrive for years to come.

“It is an absolute privilege to provide such a program to students throughout the Sarasota region and its neighbors such as Manatee and Charlotte County. It doesn’t matter where you live or go to school, you can participate in this program. We are so thrilled to continue the legacy of circus arts in our community,” said Pedro.

Today, the Sailor Circus Academy is made up of two separate groups, the Gold and Red Troupes. Members of the Gold Troupe are in the beginner to intermediate skill range, while members of the Red Troupe have advanced and established skill sets. The Red Troupe is based on an invite-only basis, while no experience is necessary to join the Gold Troupe.

The Gold Troupe membership offers a chance for leisurely participation or serves as a steppingstone towards the more advanced Red Troupe, which focuses on performance. Students in the Red Troupe strive to create and showcase a grand, full-length production at the end of each season. Additionally, they may receive invitations to participate in external events like parades and other festivities.

“Each individual student is different. They behave differently, they have different characteristics, but the outcome of each student is the same. They leave this program with their head held high, proud of their achievements and all the lessons they’ve learned, especially teamwork and recovering from failure. They learn to never give up,” said Pedro.

To continue the education of circus arts and develop the next generation of entertainers, the Circus Arts Conservatory has also paired with Sarasota High School and Booker Middle School to create magnet programs with specialized curriculums to interested students. Despite just starting these programs in the last five years, interest has continued to grow as more and more children get involved through their schools, many of which go on to join the Sailor Circus Academy.

“Once upon a time, there was a preconceived perception of what the circus was, and it was our mission to highlight it as a performance art that can be celebrated in many ways. It’s amazing to see the student body expand so largely and profoundly through these programs. I can confidently say the circus arts have become cool,” said Pedro.

In honor of the academy’s 75th anniversary, there will be two separate performances by the Gold and Red troupes, respectively, throughout November and December 2024. Tickets for these performances can be purchased at www.circusarts.org.

Sailor Circus Academy Gold Troupe’s event, “Zodiac,” featuring the youngest and brightest stars of the program, will perform twice on November 23 at Sailor Circus Arena in Sarasota. It will feature troupe members as they flip, fly and soar to new heights while they dazzle the audience.

Sailor Circus Academy Red Troupe will perform the “75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee.” There are eight performances from December 26-29 at the Sailor Circus Arena. These shows will celebrate the rich history and artistry of the nation’s longest-running youth circus training program as the students star in a variety of thrilling acts.

“Celebrating 75 years of the Sailor Circus is just incredible. Some of these students went on to become engineers, doctors, lawyers, and teachers. It’s just a slew of amazing achievements that they have taken with them on their path to become good citizens and individuals. We often get letters, phone calls, and even donations from alumni expressing how important the Sailor Circus was for them, and that they wouldn’t be in the position they are in today without it,” said Pedro.

The students of Sailor Circus Academy are acknowledged as future leaders and significant contributors to the rich legacy of Circus in Sarasota. There are plenty of scholarships available because of generous donors and alumni so that everyone interested can join the academy, regardless of their ability to pay.

For more information on the Sailor Circus Academy, make a donation, or to enroll for next school year’s programs, visit www.circusarts.org and its various subpages.