Where in the world am I today?: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

So… I’m at my 13th Circus And Magic Partnership (C.A.M.P.) program in Winnipeg and am having a blast. The program was originally conceived by the now Artistic Director of the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, Neal Rempel, after an excursion he made to Guatemala with Clowns without Boarders. After flying to Central America and performing for folks in ‘areas of conflict’ he returned to Winnipeg determined to ‘Think Globally but act Locally‘ and create a program for youth at risk to learn skills like stilt walking, juggling, unicycle, trapeze, ariel hoop, tight rope, magic, drama, hip hop dancing, rap, drumming, art and puppetry.

I’ve been involved with the program since it’s inception and love it for all sorts of reasons. As a performer on a typical gig I’m usually asking my audiences to participate in my silliness. By contrast this program provides a chance to teach others some skills and let them bask in the glow of the spotlight while I sit on the side lines and support them in this experience. It just feels really good to give this experience to others, especially kids who come from a challenging background. For many of the kids who participate, this experience really does have an enormous impact on helping them set goals and see some pretty spectacular results by the end of the five-day program. On day five the students become the performers with all of the instructors helping co-ordinate the show and support the kids with everything that they’re presenting to the audience of family and friends who come to watch the performance. From start to finish it’s a really great experience for the kids, the instructors and the people who come to watch the Friday Show!

To top it all off the crew that Neal assembles each year is a spectacular group of performers who over the years have very much become a wonderful and at times dysfunctional family. It’s a treat to come back and play and be a part of this group and C.A.M.P really is a program that I hope I can be a part of for many years to come.

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