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Jessica Hentoff: St. Louis’ Circus Lady Becomes World Circus Federation Ambassador
St. Louis is now home to an international Ambassador of Circus! On January 18 in Monte Carlo, the World Circus Federation awarded this prestigious title to Jessica Hentoff. Princess Stephanie of Monaco serves as patron for the Federation. Many in St. Louis know Hentoff simply as the St. Louis’ Circus Lady.
The Federation bestows this recognition on individuals who make exceptional contributions to the field. These ambassadors promote, preserve, and advance circus arts and culture worldwide. The Federation honors them for their leadership, artistic excellence, and dedication.
A Lifetime of Circus Arts
Jessica Hentoff serves as the Artistic/Executive Director and founder of Circus Harmony. This organization is an internationally renowned social circus school. Hentoff has taught and performed circus arts for over 50 years. She uses circus to motivate social change. This work began when she founded the St. Louis Arches youth circus performance troupe in 1988.
She created Circus Harmony in 2001. Her goal was to expand circus opportunities for St. Louis youth. Circus Harmony will celebrate its 25th anniversary soon. They plan to host a Silver Circus soirée on April 11 at City Museum to mark the occasion.
Building Bridges Through Performance
Circus Harmony operates inside the City Museum in downtown St. Louis. They offer circus classes to people ages 3 to 93. Circus Harmony students, teachers, and guest artists present over 650 shows a year there. They also perform with Circus Flora and at Grant’s Farm. You can find them at numerous special events as well.
First and foremost, Circus Harmony is a social circus. They use teaching and performing to promote social change. This approach builds character in individuals. It also builds bridges between communities.
They are famous for their Peace Through Pyramids partnerships. These programs connect them with other youth circuses around the world. A prime example is their 11-year partnership with the Jewish/Arab Galilee Circus in Israel.
Global Impact and Local Roots
Circus Harmony also offers pre-professional training. Many alumni perform around the world today. You can see them with companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Seven Fingers, and the Flying Wallendas. One alumnus, Sidney Bateman, even moved from the circus to the WWE.
The Circus Ambassador role requires specific attributes. Ambassadors must raise public awareness of circus traditions. They must embody core values like creativity, diversity, tradition, and innovation. They also need to inspire new generations of artists and supporters.
Jessica Hentoff has done exactly this since she started circus in college in 1974! She told her first teacher, Warren Bacon, that she wanted to do this for the rest of her life. She asked how she could repay him. He answered, “I’ll tell you what my teacher told me, ‘Pass it on’.” Jessica has done just that ever since!
Continuing the Legacy
Since 2001, she has passed it on through Circus Harmony! They offer year-round shows and classes at City Museum. Circus Harmony also provides free classes at St. Louis City Recreation Centers. You can find them at St. Louis Public Libraries and the Legacy Center too. They even teach Circus Science classes for the Urban League and Northside Community School.
Circus Harmony will soon open their annual full-length show. It is a ticketed event titled Misterioso. This original story features all new acts. The show runs every Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM through February at Circus Harmony in City Museum.
You can learn more about Circus Harmony online. Visit their site to sign up for classes or buy tickets to the show or soirée. You can even book their youth circus performers for your next special event. Just go to www.circusharmony.org.
The World Circus Federation named Jessica Hentoff as Circus Ambassador. However, she believes Circus Harmony’s fabulous flying children are the real stars. She calls them St. Louis’s bounciest ambassadors!
About Circus Harmony – Circus Harmony is St. Louis’ only social circus. They teach the art of life through circus education. The organization works to build character and expand community for youth of all ages. They welcome people from all cultures, abilities, and backgrounds. Through teaching and performing, they help people defy gravity. Students soar with confidence and leap over social barriers at the same time. To learn more, visit www.circusharmony.org.
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