Green Light Circus is the longest running program at Denali Arts Council. We value circus because it is a hybrid of art and sport, and is comprised of a myriad of disciplines, from juggling to trapeze, acrobatics to balancing props. As a result, it not only includes people of varied skills and abilities, but it actually requires this diversity to be whole. When practicing circus arts, trust, coordination and communication skills are developed, and risk taking curiosities are played out in a safe and controlled environment. The non-competitive yet physical nature of the form makes it a unique and beneficial outlet for all ages. Our students are constantly learning new skills and improving on the ones they know, minute-by-minute and on a daily basis.
Our Green Light Circus Program offers a variety of workshops, classes and camps throughout the year.
Our 2024 Green Light Circus participants have been hard at work for three weeks learning and preparing for the culmination of their program THIS WEEKEND Friday and Saturday, July 12th and 13th. Come on out to the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar and support these local kids as they show off their circus skills! Tickets will only be available AT THE DOOR so arrive early to secure your seat under the big top!
Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, 2024
6:00pm Doors – 7:00pm Show
Tix $10-20
For the first time ever, Denali Arts Council is planning to host a carnival-like Fairway on Saturday, July 13th from 12:00pm-6:00pm. This family friendly event will feature carnival games, a dunk tank, a tent of oddities, magic shows, fortune telling, cotton candy, and more! We will need lots of family and community volunteers to make this event a success! Please click the button below to see how you might be able to help. Circus participants are invited and encouraged to attend the Fairway on their own time schedule but are not required to attend.
Tykes (5-6 years old)
This year, the entire Tykes camp and Showcase will be held in the gym at Talkeetna Elementary School.
Tykes camp will meet Monday through Friday, June 24 – 28, from 9:00-10:30am.
The Tykes will showcase the skills they learn on Friday, June 28th from 10:00-10:30am. Family members and friends are invited to enjoy this free Tykes Circus Showcase!
Trailers (Beginning/Intermediate, 7-17 years old)
Trailers camp will meet Monday through Friday, June 24 – July 10, from 11:30am-1:30pm. On Thursday and Friday, July 11 and 12, we plan to have all-camp dress rehearsals from 1:00-4:00pm. Please be aware, however, that the final week schedule is subject to change, depending on instructor and performer needs. This year, the first two weeks of Trailers camp will be held in the gym at Talkeetna Elementary School. The third and final week of Trailers camp, in preparation for the performances, will be held at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar.
Troupers (Intermediate/Advanced, 10-17 years old)
Troupers camp will meet Monday through Friday, June 24 – July 10, from 2:30-5:30pm. We have the two sessions again this year, Aerials from 2:30-4:00pm and Manipulation from 4:00-5:30pm. On Thursday and Friday, July 11 and 12, we plan to have all-camp dress rehearsals from 1:00-4:00pm. Please be aware, however, that the final week schedule is subject to change, depending on instructor and performer needs. This year, the first two weeks of Troupers camp will be held in the gym at Talkeetna Elementary School. The third and final week of Troupers camp, in preparation for the performances, will be held at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar.
Parent/Adult Volunteers
Green Light Circus thrives with the help of our parent/adult volunteers!
This year we are again looking for volunteers to feed lunch to our spectacular instructor team each day. We are asking for volunteers to avoid walnuts, pineapple, cantaloupe, and tomatillos and to provide at least one vegan serving for each lunch. If you would like to provide a lunch but the restrictions are a challenge, please reach out to us and we will be sure to supplement something that day!
We are also looking for a handful of volunteers to help spot during each circus session.
To sign up for any of these volunteer positions, click the button below!
Circus participants should wear comfortable, form fitting clothing to camp each day. Please remember to pack a water bottle and have participants eat BEFORE camp. There will not be a designated snack break during the camp session.
We will have a mandatory Parent Orientation meeting on Sunday, June 23rd at 4:00pm, in the gym at Talkeetna Elementary. This will be your opportunity to meet and talk with this year’s circus instructors as well as a time to learn more about ways you can help and volunteer. Immediately following the Parent Orientation, we will have a Spotting Workshop for anyone who is interested in volunteering to help spot campers. Children are welcome to attend the Parent Orientation meeting and Spotting Workshop; however, disruptive children will be fed to the clowns 🤡😜
Fourth of July Parade
There will not be regular Green Light Circus Camp on Thursday, July 4th. However, all circus participants and their families are invited and encouraged to join our troupe as part of the Fourth of July Parade in downtown Talkeetna. The parade begins at 12noon from Denali Education Center. Plan to meet at DEC at 11am to stage for the parade. Come dressed in your Circus and/or 4th of July best!
Sunshine Transit Shuttle
We have secured a private Sunshine Transit Shuttle for our Green Light Circus Trailer participants. Please call Sunshine Transit directly (907-495-8411) to sign up for the shuttle.
Green Light Circus is made possible by the generous donations of our sponsors!
