The Big Apple Circus
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| Abbreviation | BAC |
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| Formation | March 1977 |
| Founder | Paul Binder and Michael Christensen |
| Purpose | To spread joy and wonder of a classical circus |
| Location | |
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Region
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United States |
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Key people
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Staff
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60+ |
| Website | bigapplecircus |
| Big Apple Circus | |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Circus name | Big Apple Circus |
| Country | United States |
| Founder(s) | Paul Binder and Michael Christensen |
| Year founded | 1977 |
| Information | |
| Operator(s) | Big Apple Circus |
| Ringmaster(s) | John Kennedy Kane |
| Traveling show? | Yes |
| No. of companies | 1 |
The Big Apple Circus is a circus based in New York City. Opened in 1977, later becoming a nonprofit organization, it became a tourist attraction. The circus has been known for its community outreach programs, including Clown Care, as well as it's humane treatment of animals. Big Apple Circus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2016 and exited bankruptcy in February 2017 after its assets were bought by Compass Partners. The Circus will be renewed in October 2017 for its 40th Anniversary season.
Gregory Fedin and his then wife Nina Krasavina, both born and trained in Russia, started a circus school to train future "first" generation circus performers. They started the small school in a lower Manhattan loft.
The circus couple worked with Paul Binder and Michael Christensen to develop the Big Apple Circus following the European style "one ring" circus. In 1977, they located and secured an open ground area, in Battery Park, where the Big Apple Circus debuted. Headlining the early shows was a single trapeze, a dog act, tight rope walking, jugglers and clowns, double trapeze artists, and a host of other performers.
During 1978, the circus moved from Manhattan. By 1979, two circus arts schools had been opened with money raised from the circus shows.
The Big Apple Circus began the 1980s with a special holiday celebration in honor of the circus and its staff. In 1981, the circus began performing at Damrosch Park of Lincoln Center for the first time, continuing until 2015. In 1982, the circus won a silver medal at a circus performing competition held in Paris.
The circus began to arrange tours across New England in 1983. They also received an Obie award that year.
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