CIRCUS 617

About CIRCUS 617

Circus 617 is a collective dedicated to highlighting Boston-based professional circus artists, choreographers, and directors in new works of contemporary circus, created right here in the city we love. Circus 617 productions meld the spectacular, expressive physicality of circus with theatrical and musical methods of storytelling. Founded in 2020, Circus 617 received a LAB grant from the Boston Foundation in 2021 to create their debut ensemble production, Gathering the Threads.

Upcoming

2024 Performances

Circus Mixtape Vol. 2

Sunday May 19th - The Substation, Roslindale MA

Tickets Here

Arias Aloft: Euphoria

Sunday July 14th - deCordova Museum, Lincoln MA

Saturday August 3rd - Hutchinson’s Field, Milton MA

Tickets coming soon!

We are proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Public Health's WIC Nutrition Program, the Massachusetts Health Connector, and hundreds of organizations by making cultural programming accessible to those for whom cost is a participation barrier.

EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders receive a 50% discount for tickets to Circus 617 performances. See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.

@circus_617

Past Projects

Circus Mixtape

Volume 1

November 2023 - The Substation in Roslindale, MA

The Circus Mixtape series brings together musicians and circus artists to create new pieces that could not exist without their collaboration. In the first installment of the series, Volume 1, three live musicians team up with seven acrobats. The result is a collection of heartfelt, bold, and innovative new circus works set to never-before heard pieces of music.

Created and performed by

Ky Bernard, Kenzi Cox, Jennifer Ender, Mandy Hackman, Sophia Herscu, Sophie Kaufman, and Caroline Wright

Music written and performed by Eleanor Elektra, Singer Mali, and Miles Wilder

Directed and Produced by Mandy Hackman

Circus Mixtape Volume 1 was partially funded by a Festivals and Projects Grant from the Mass Cultural Council, and was presented at the Substation as part of the Commonwealth Circus Center/Circus Up residency.

Helix

July 2023 - The Substation in Roslindale, MA

August 2023 - Contemporary Circus Immersive Arts Center (CCIAC) in Troy, NY

In collaboration with Duo Shadow

The performers of Helix weave a dimensional love story through circus, aerial acrobatics, and dance. This playful, tongue-in-cheek narrative highlights interconnectedness and spins new perspectives on how emotions are perceived, evoked, and interpreted. Using the architecture of circles as a metaphor for the cycles of relationships, the storyline invites viewers to connect both within themselves and to how we relate to our culture and each other.

Created and performed by

Rachel Barringer, Jennifer Ender, Ernesto Lea Place, Alex Oliva, Caitlin Quinn, and Caroline Wright

Directed by Sophia Herscu

Created with support from CCIAC through the Artist First Residency

Arias Aloft

July 2023 - deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln MA

In collaboration with Opera on Tap Boston

Circus 617 and Opera on Tap Boston combine two thrilling art forms for a one-of-a-kind event in a stunning location.

Featuring vocal acrobatics and physical virtuosity courtesy of some of Boston's leading classical singers and aerialists, this performance showcases opera, musical theater, and cabaret classics paired with breathtaking original circus acts.

Created and performed by

Keith Brinkley, Melynda Davis, Kathryn McKellar, and David Rivera Bozón (vocalists)

Alissa Feller, Sophia Herscu, Alex Oliva, and Ellen Waylonis (circus artists)

with Lindsay Albert (pianist)

Directed and Produced by Kathryn McKellar and Ellen Waylonis

American Dream:

One Clown’s Love Affair with Capitalism

July 2022 & July 2023 - Commonwealth Circus Center in Boston, MA

September 2023 - Ice Box Project Space as part of Cannonball Fest at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival

In collaboration with Artivism Dance Theater

Watch the classic American dream as it plays out for one young clown on the heels of entering the job market for the first time. Oh, how the world spins in bombastic and brutally unfair ways for even folks who are efforting hard. Isn't it a meritocracy anymore? If only she knew. Watch the story unfold with music, dancing, and yes, a little bit of mayhem, ahem, circus.

Performed by

Leah Abel, Madyson Barbain, Joshua Bell, Arouna Guindo, Mandy Hackman, Alex Oliva, Eris Prescott, Ezra Quinlan, Sophia Rabinovitz, and Jordan Smith

Directed by Sophia Herscu and Sophia Rabinovitz

Produced by Commonwealth Circus Center

American Dream was made possible by a Next Steps for Boston Dance grant from the Boston Foundation, Movement Arts Creation Studio, and the Aliad Fund.

Gathering

the Threads

June 2022 - The Substation in Roslindale, MA

November 2022 - BU Dance Theater in Boston, MA

September 2023 - Ithaca, NY as part of the Hupstate Circus Festival

After a long separation, five friends reunite. This story of picking up the threads - of reconnecting with one another, rediscovering friendship, and rebuilding community - all unfolds with acrobatic poignancy, magic, and mischief. Using a single circus apparatus, the beautifully simple aerial rope, Gathering the Threads is an allegory of weaving together loose ends, rebuilding ties, and re-finding each other after loss.

Created by

Rachel Barringer, Mandy Hackman, Alexis Hedrick, Sophia Herscu, and Ellen Waylonis

Directed by Sophia Herscu

Produced by Ellen Waylonis

Music written and performed by Miles Wilder

Performed By

Rachel Barringer, Caroline Dignes, Mandy Hackman, Alexis Hedrick, Sophia Herscu, Rachel Rees, Ellen Waylonis, and Miles Wilder

Gathering the Threads was made possible by a Live Arts Boston Grant from the Boston Foundation, as well as support from Dunamis Boston and Next Steps for Boston Dance. Production support provided by Esh Circus Arts.

Testimonials

“It was emotional, inventive, beautiful, intense, and so special.”

X D., audience member for Gathering the Threads
“I was hypnotized by the strength, artistry, and personality of the entire ensemble. It was captivating - I have never seen anything like it!”

Lauren C., audience member for Gathering the Threads
"A spectacular performance - captured the feeling of coming back together in such a beautiful way."

Jess S., audience member for Gathering the Threads