Posted 7/29/2010 5:55:20 AM by Jim Cole
News from Mark Nicklawske viewed 216 times
Thursday, July 29, 2010 - St. Paul, MN
Flying High Under The Big Top
.Libby Ulm, left, and Julia Narow pose on a trapeze during a practice session at Circus Juventus. - Photo by Paul Dols Flying high under the big topArea teens set to perform in Circus Juventasby Mark Nicklawske
Regional EditorPublished: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 7:33 PM CDT ST. PAUL — Julia Narow and Libby Ulm are two teenage girls who like a place in the spotlight, a physical challenge, and after-school activities with a hint of danger.
In other words, they’re perfect for the circus.
Narow, a Mahtomedi High School student, and Ulm, a student at White Bear Lake Area High School North Campus, will both perform in the Circus Juventas summer spectacular “Sawdust” July 29-Aug. 15 at the Highland Park big top in St. Paul. The youth performing arts circus school will stage more than 20 shows for almost 20,000 people over the three-week period.
The Sawdust shows culminate summer lessons teaching high-wire tricks, sensational acrobatics and strange body contortions; along with life lessons about trust, working for excellence and consistency.
Both Narow and Ulm have also performed in area dance schools, but say circus lessons are more challenging but without the competition and pressure to perform.
“It’s similar (to dance) but a whole different atmosphere,” said Narow. “The place is so unusual, it’s so much different than what normal people would expect for a school.”“It’s more exciting and fun,” said Ulm. “There’s no pressure to be better than anybody. You can just be yourself and you don’t have to try beating somebody.”
Circus Juventas, said the girls, teaches teamwork and how improving your abilities improves the show.
Ulm lived in Highland Park as a child and has attended the circus school since she was 5 years old. She has learned how to bungee jump, spin in the Spanish web, trapeze tricks and body bending contortions among other things.
Narow, who also plays lacrosse, is a newcomer to the circus. She is finishing her first year and has studied dance, theater, silks and is starting to learn hoop tricks.The two will perform with 79 other advanced students and two legendary circus performers, Willie Edelston, 87, and Tony Steel, 74, in a colorful, music-filled show featuring the flying trapeze, massive puppets, the Russian swing and the heart-stopping Wheel of Steel.Ulm and Narow say they love performing the daring acts of thrills and chills.
“You learn to trust yourself,” said Narow.
“You trust yourself and all the other people you are working with,” said Ulm. “You trust the equipment and your teachers. Once you learn to trust, you can do it no problem.”
Ulm said the first time she tried a hammock trick, spinning high above the audience, she was a little scared.
“They said, ‘OK, let go completely.’ I said, ‘What? Are you sure?’ Then you fall and it’s one of the most fun things you will ever do,” she said.
Narow said once you get used to the high-flying tricks you can’t stop.
“It’s like, ‘OK, sweet, let’s do it again,” she said. “It’s like riding on a roller coaster.”
Circus Juventas was founded by Dan Butler in St. Paul 16 years ago. The nonprofit school has staged 10 summer performances under the big top and has schooled thousands of children in the physically and mentally changing world of the circus.
“We’re building self-esteem, teamwork and teaching kids about the dangers of mediocrity, which seems to be driving things these days,” he said. “The commitment is what’s really important.”
Butler said the school wants to keep learning fun, so students aren’t pushed beyond their limits and safety is always a top priority.
The school has 800 full-time students. Most students take two classes a quarter, which cost a total of $360.
Steele, who ran away to join the circus when he was 15 in 1951, said he learned the high trapeze the hard way. Picking it up as the circus traveled from town to town.
“I would’ve given anything to have this opportunity,” he said. “I begged, I would plead with my parents, ‘Let me go.’ Now you’ve got something like this, it has so much allure.”
“Kids love to push the envelope,” said Steele. “If you can do it in a safe environment, why not? What fun is it staying home and watching TV?”
Narow and Ulm said they love performing in front of a big audience and enjoy doing all the tricks, but they also know the circus school is teaching them valuable lessons.
Ulm said she will have no fear going away to college, talking to school administrators or interviewing for a real, full-time job.
“I’ve learned to be myself and use my personality,” she said. “It’s about not being afraid to be who I am.”
Narow said Circus Juventas has taught her how to confront any challenge.
“If you can let go from up there,” she said, pointing to the ropes and ladders under the big top. “You can do a lot of things.”
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