Corah Larsen - Circus Performer (Hospitality and Tourism )

Circus Performer By: Corah Larsen

Overview There are no other careers like being in the Circus. This career you perform dangerous stunts in front of a crowd. You spend years training to perfect one act or one set of skills to make the crowd say “Wow!” This job is very physically demanding and is a lot of work. When in the circus the main goal is to entertain your guests.

Working Conditions The working conditions of the circus aren't always the best they can be, you perform in a giant tent and it isn’t always air-conditioned. Also just because of the number of people you have to entertain. People can get bored pretty easily and they paid to be there so you have to be entertaining. Also, Circus performers face a lot of job hazards. These include wild animals, dizzying heights, and torches. And no matter how prepared they are, they have to be extremely conscious of what is going on during a show.

Skills needed You have to be able to keep people entertained No matter what happens, you have to look like you're enjoying yourself. You have to make sure you keep your equipment in top shape, many performers learn their act through trial and error. This job is very physically demanding you swing off bars in the air, walk across tight ropes 50 ft above the ground and hold each other up doing tricks.

Salary The pay of a circus performer isn’t the highest for the amount of labor, work, and travel that goes into the job. The average annual salary is $79,460, and the hourly is $38.20. The outlook of the job is increasing and there is around 16,500 working as a Circus performer. $$$