Who We Are - About Our Circus and Performers

Who We Are!

	Jennifer Dempsey founded the Salida Circus School in February 2007. A circus performer of 25 years, Jennifer got her circus start in 3rd grade at Oak View Elementary in Fairfax, Virginia under the direction of PE teacher Jim Moyer. A stiltwalker, acrobat, knife-juggler, unicyclist and comedy actress, Jennifer's circus career includes 12 years with the Belfast Circus in Northern Ireland, two years with Circo Rum Ba Ba in London, and five years with the Scarlet Sisters Circus in California. To learn more about Jennifer and how the Salida Circus came about , click here. On that page is a video when Jennifer was nominated for the True North Award from Frito Lay and two letters Jennifer wrote for a couple of magazines describing when and why she started the circus and the workshops. **New - Interview with Jennifer Dempsey of The Salida Circus February 1st, 2011 Danielle talks with Jennifer about her work in the circus and how it can inspire creativity and social activism. Listen to the recording here: KSJD.org
	Manda Ellison joined the Salida Circus in April 2009, following in the footsteps of her children George and Daisy. A former gymnast, dancer and raft guide, Manda is now a co-director and a board member of Salida Circus. Manda is a consummate stiltwalker, acrobat, trapeze artist, face painter and front woman in the children's interactive shows. In Spring 2011, Manda represented the Salida Circus in Northern Ireland at a directors exchange with the Belfast Circus, and in August of 2011 at the American Youth Circus Organization's annual festival in Sarasota, Florida.
	Destiny Meseke has been an acrobat, stiltwalker, trapeze artist and tutor for the Salida Circus since July 2007. One of the original Salida Circus members, Destiny joined the troupe at 13 when Jennifer asked her to do "flying bird" on her feet in a spontaneous performance at the Steam Plant Events Center. Destiny has performed in Colorado, California, Memphis, New Mexico, and in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In the Winter of 2012 she trained with "Let's Circus!" in Newcastle, England.
	Ryan "Fish" Cole showed up at the Vic Tavern in an Entertaining Monkey outfit on Halloween 2008 and from there his circus life took off. A stiltwalker, unicyclist, fire-juggler and quartet-adagio thrower, Ryan has performed at festivals and fairs throughout Colorado and in 2009 represented Salida Circus at the American Youth Circus Organization's Convention in Pennsylvania. When he's not raft-guiding, Ryan can be found unicycling around Salida and Buena Vista.
	Jane Whitmer always wanted to join the circus and her dream came true when she became Madame McTilder in Sept 2007. Yoga instructor and dancer, Jane has played the legendary circus queen at the Steam Plant, the Salida Valentine's Cabaret, Westcliffe Hullabaloo and at the La Cambalacha fund raiser. A natural performer who can jump into splits (!), Jane also brings her boundless circus spirit to her work at the Nurturing Parenting Program.
	Gerry Knowles, a former teacher and natural clown. Hailing from a long line of vaudevilians, Gerry has been the star attraction of the "Great Wall Act" since his circus debut in April 2010 at the World Circus Day show at the Steam Plant. One of the founding members of Salida Circus over 60s, Gerry was featured in a cover story in Colorado Country Life Magazine, and at a state-wide conference of Colorado Senior Activities Organizers.
	Andrea Mossman was the Salida Circus' original Magical Mermaid. A dancer, choreographer, acrobat and mother of two, Andrea joined the circus in 2007 and has since become a victorian circus nanny, a dancing french poodle, a she-pirate and belly-dancer. She recently became one of the Dancing Divas of Delight for the Salida Sideshow. Andrea is also founder of the CEDE Dance Company.
	Sarah Green debuted in June 2010 as an acrobatic she-pirate and Mermaid for the touring "Lost Mermaid" show. Mother of two, Sarah is also a ten foot tall stiltwalker, comedy acrobat and tutor. She has performed at Keystone Kidtopia, Canon City Blossom Festival, Winter Park Resort and too many library shows to count.
	Katie Mae Carlson always wanted to run away to join the circus and finally did in November 2008. A stiltwalker, fire dancer, lyra performer and tutor, Katie Mae has performed at the Crestone Music Festival, Pagosa Pirate Festival, Winter Park Cirque du Saturdays and the Rocky Mountain Childrens Hospital gala.
	Steve Smalzel joined the Salida Circus troupe in December 2008 when he played banjo for Jennifer and Destiny's acrobatics routine at the Steam Plant. He also accompanied Jennifer for the poetry/music show "Love Was the Hardest Thing They Ever Did." A master oil painter, Steve is also an award-winning marathon runner.
	Cathy Haruf is the Salida Circus main costume designer. Her creations include the Salida Circus stilt boat, the Scarlet Sisters acrobatics leotards and ball gowns, the Victorian stilt ball gowns, the singing stilt angel, the walking gypsy tents. She is also a member of the Circus for over 60 group and has performed in the Circus of Ages show as a plate spinning nanny, in World Circus Day as a gypsy fortune-teller, at Fibark as a pirate wench and in the fall of 2010 she was the Lead SeaHag!
	Daisy Ellison joined the Salida Circus in 2009 at the age of 10 when she and her brother George performed acrobatics in the stage play Pinnochio. Since then she has become a ten-foot tall stiltwalker, trapeze artist and face-painter. Daisy is also a brilliant writer.
	George Ellison joined the Salida Circus in 2009 when he was 8 years old. Today, he walks on stilts, rides a unicycle, barrel walks and performs on trapeze and lyra. George is known as Salida's 'Flipping Acrobat' for doing more than 10 back handsprings down Main Street in the Parade of Lights. George recently represented Salida Circus at the American Youth Circus Organization festival in Sarasota Florida.
	Raven, Razor and Bella Roberts joined the Salida Circus in 2010 when they were, 13, 10 and 8. The brothers are accomplished unicyclists, stiltwalkers and stilt jumpers. Raven has been a tutor for workshops and camps. Razor has also recently mastered his back handspring, juggles and bases for double lyra tricks. Bella performs as an acrobat, on trapeze and lyra and as a singing mermaid. All three have performed in the Blossom Festival in Canon City, World Circus Day Shows in Salida and Buena Vista and many other local shows.
	Paul Jensen -
	Colonel Ed Alloy - joined us in November and says he "wants to work for Salida Circus forever!" An auctioneer and ballon modeler, Ed has been featured in the Wall Act and recently formed the "The Washerwoman" clown act with Mo. An announcer and ringmaster, Ed is also one of Salida Circus main tutors.
	Mohan Shacklett - A clown, juggler and tutor, Mo joined the circus after enrolling his son JP in workshops last December. A talented musician and singer, Mo is one of Salida Circus Singing Stilt-o-grams, delivering original ditties for birthdays, graduations and other special days. He is also a very pretty Washerwoman. (I will send new pic for his bio and also act for hire)
	Sophie Faust, aka "Razzleberry," has been a feature with the Salida Circus since 2008. A clown, magician and workshop leader, Razzleberry has clowned around at the Canon City Blossom Festival, World Circus Day Celebrations, the Holy Smoke BBQ and at La Cambalacha in Guatemala! When she's not in clown makeup, Sophie can be found working at the Caring for Colorado Foundation.
	Kat Clapp joined the Salida Circus in March as one of the Dancing Divas of Delight. A costume designer and belly-dance teacher, Kat also has been known to swallow swords and train pythons.