Lincoln 12-year-old revels in being a circus performer

By Maureen Belt

Summer camp usually involves traditional activities like kayaking, swim lessons and songs by the campfire. But Lincoln resident Athena Montori has had somewhat different experiences — she’s been spending her summers learning juggling, the fine art of clowning, and how to soar through the air as if she were being shot out of a cannon.

Athena attended camp at Circus Smirkus, a nonprofit arts and education organization based in Greensboro, Vt., that’s been teaching circus skills to kids since 1987. Some of them, including Athena, were so inspired that they chose to take their newfound skills to the next level — they joined the circus.

“Ever since Circus Smirkus camp, I wanted to do something more than just a few weeks of summer camp,” said Athena, 12, who just finished sixth grade at the Lincoln School. “I wanted to do so much more.”

While making her summer plans this past winter, she prepared an audition tape in hopes of earning one of the 30 coveted “trouper” spots in the Circus Smirkus traveling summer show, this year aptly named “On the Road Again.” Circus Smirkus — like the rest of the performing world —was put on hiatus by the Covid pandemic. The troupers will perform 46 shows under the Big Top in four states before summer ends.

Athena competed against fellow campers and performers from all over the world. A ballerina and gymnast since the age of 3 who also studies trombone, she impressed the committee and was one of 40 invited to a second audition.

She nailed it, earning a prime spot on the Russian Bar and a backup spot on the trampoline act. After less than two weeks into performing in front of live audiences, Athena became a principal in the trampoline act, too. She also has tremendous fun “clowning,” as it’s called in circus circles (click here to see her short cast introduction video).

Her supportive family played a vital role. “I’ve been 100 percent behind her decision to go on tour and I’ve been rooting for her since the day she came home from Smirkling camp at age 5 saying she wanted to perform under the Big Top, as they call the tent,” said Staci Montori, Athena’s mom. “It’s a dream come true for her, and who doesn’t want their child to achieve their dreams?”

Athena, who had seven live performances under her belt when interviewed by the Lincoln Squirrel, said her favorite act to perform is the Russian Bar. “It’s a fun act in general, and the crowd loves it. I get thrown into the air. Everybody is cheering. It’s just so fun, the whole experience!”

The Russian Bar is a circus act where an elite acrobatic flyer lunges into aerial spirals, somersaults, and twists from a vaulting pole that’s 13 feet long and 6.5 inches wide (no cannon is involved). The moves are similar to those of a gymnast on a balance beam, but the pole is flexible, which allows the necessary bounce for the aerialist.

There’s another difference from a balance beam: the Russian bar doesn’t rest on the floor. It’s supported by two other performers called porters, often on their shoulders. Traditionally there’s no net, but the Circus Smirkus version includes a hefty cushion beneath the aerialist and two spotters disguised as clowns.

This act presents as a simple routine because the essential tools are not visible. Trust, precision, and synchronicity are paramount, as are confidence and communication through verbal and nonverbal cues. Flyers must be skilled in balance, acrobatics, and gymnastics. Even the slightest nod must be aligned with the two others in the routine.

Being one of the youngest in the group hasn’t diminished her status. “Athena is a wonderful trouper,” said Jonathan Roitman, Russian Bar coach for Circus Smirkus.

What goes through her mother’s head as Athena wows the crowd on the Russian Bar?

“Each time, I feel both a bit nervous and super-excited for her and all the performers,” Montori said. “I won’t lie — my hands sweat a bunch during the Russian Bar act. It was hard to watch for the first five or six shows because she flies very high into the air and does a back tuck without safety lines. I hadn’t seen her do this without lines before opening day. I didn’t realize she had perfected it enough to do it like this. She kept it a secret to surprise me, I think. It’s getting easier to watch now, especially since she seems more confident and skilled at doing it after each performance. My hands still sweat, though.”

Athena agreed that she gets more comfortable with each performance. “There were definitely nerves the first time,” she admitted. But her nervousness dissipated once she and the rest of the troupers made their way to center stage and the crowd cheered. “It was a full house, and the adrenaline was pumping.”

Being a committed circus performer requires more than shooting through the air and making people laugh. Athena and the others have to set up some of the smaller tents before the show and then break them down afterwards. In between, they pick up the gum wrappers, drink cups, and other debris that audience members leave behind. The whole thing “is a really long process,” she said. “The first time we did it, it took us five hours, but the last few times it’s only taken two hours.”

But even cleaning up after strangers doesn’t dim Athena’s enjoyment. “I want to do it again next year,” she said. In fact, Athena would love to be a trouper for the next seven summers, which will take her right up to high school graduation.

The experience has created bonds she knows will last a lifetime. “It’s a very welcoming community,” she said. “It feels more like a family and we’re all so close. It helps that we’re all such good friends with each other.”

Athena also knows her time with Circus Smirkus is giving her other skills for future success. “I’m learning the importance of responsibility and how to rely on other people,” she said.

Her mother agrees. “Circus requires the kids to be incredibly hard-working, creative, focused, trusting, and very trustworthy,” Montori said. “They have to take directions, listen carefully and not be distracted; otherwise someone can get very badly hurt. They also need to take risks, be willing to fail, and try again. I think Athena has become much more confident in all facets of her life using these skills from circus training.”

Circus Smirkus has no animal acts or fire throwers. Its dazzle comes from the artistry of jugglers, acrobats, and contortionists as well as clowns. All of the acts are fueled by human strength (both physical and mental), long practices, discipline, and cooperation. Aside from the lighting and audio systems, there’s no technology involved, which means these acts would have been performed the exact same way today as 300 years ago.

You can watch Athena and friends perform their magic when Circus Smirkus comes to Waltham this week. Click here to see a short video advertising the circus and click here for the schedule.