Big Apple Circus

Big Apple Circus is a New York City-based circus and live-entertainment brand founded in 1977. It developed from a small circus school established in a Lower Manhattan loft by Gregory Fedin and Nina Krasavina, Russian-born performers and instructors who worked with Paul Binder and Michael Christensen to create an American company influenced by the European one-ring circus tradition. Rather than presenting several simultaneous rings, the company built its identity around a single performance space, close audience sightlines, theatrical production values, and a varied program of acrobatics, aerial acts, juggling, clowning, high-wire work, and equestrian performance. The circus debuted at Battery Park with support from founding chairman Alan B. Slifka. It later established a long association with Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, where it performed from 1981 through 2015. Touring engagements expanded its reach beyond New York, including appearances in New England, Chicago, Columbus, Boston, Atlanta, and other American markets. Its cultural profile was reinforced by awards, television appearances, collaborations with organizations such as the Boston Pops and Metropolitan Opera, and participation in film and documentary projects. The company also became associated with performers including Barry Lubin, whose clown character Grandma became one of its best-known figures, and with a succession of international circus artists. Community access became a central part of the brand. In 1986, Big Apple Circus created Clown Care, a program in which professionally trained clowns visited children in hospitals. Other initiatives included Circus of the Senses for audiences with vision, hearing, or other special needs; Circus for All ticket access; Circus After School; educational programs; and the One Ring School House, which provided schooling for children traveling with the circus. After the 2017 ownership transition, the company continued community-oriented programs for low-income children and people with special needs, and introduced Embracing Autism performances with shorter running times and sensory adjustments. The organization experienced financial pressure in the mid-2010s. It did not stage its customary holiday season in 2016, sought emergency fundraising, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November of that year. Its assets were sold through the bankruptcy process in February 2017 to Big Top Works, an affiliate of Compass Partners, enabling a relaunch for the 40th-anniversary season. Acrobat Nik Wallenda was announced as the headline act for the return engagement at Lincoln Center in late 2017. The company subsequently presented a 41st season in 2018, with Stephanie Monseu as ringmaster and a prominently female-led collection of aerial and circus acts. A VIP hospitality space called the Mirror Room was also introduced. Big Apple Circus remains identified with New York, traditional circus craft presented in a contemporary theatrical setting, and efforts to make live performance more accessible. Its public history combines touring entertainment, nonprofit-era community work, media exposure, and periods of financial restructuring. The available reference material does not establish a current headquarters address, detailed present-day operating schedule, or complete current executive roster.

Big Apple Circus originated in the 1970s through the work of Gregory Fedin and Nina Krasavina, who operated a small circus school in a Lower Manhattan loft. Fedin and Krasavina, both born and trained in Russia, collaborated with Paul Binder and Michael Christensen on a new company modeled in part on European one-ring circus traditions. The result was designed to place the audience close to the performers and to combine circus technique with a carefully shaped theatrical presentation. The company debuted in Battery Park in 1977 on open ground made available with the assistance of founding chairman Alan B. Slifka. Early programs included trapeze work, tight-wire walking, juggling, dog acts, clowns, double trapeze, and other traditional circus disciplines. In 1981, the circus began performing at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, creating a long-running New York home that remained central to its identity until 2015. During the 1980s it expanded into New England touring, won recognition at international circus competitions, received an Obie Award, and collaborated with the Boston Pops and Metropolitan Opera. Its performers also appeared in screen projects, including Woody Allen's film Alice. The company's social mission grew alongside its entertainment business. In 1986 it launched Clown Care, sending trained clowns to pediatric hospitals. Circus of the Senses followed in 1987, adapting performances for people with visual, hearing, and other special needs through tools such as sign-language interpretation and sound augmentation. Educational efforts expanded in the 1990s, including Art in Education, Circus After School, Circus for All ticket distribution, and the One Ring School House for children of traveling performers. A related online resource, Circopedia, began in 2008. Some programs, particularly those not included in the later asset sale, subsequently moved to other local organizations. The 1990s brought broader touring and growing attendance. The circus presented engagements in Chicago, Columbus, Boston, and other cities, while productions such as Medicine Show drew large New York audiences. Michael Christensen became strongly associated with the company's clown and hospital work, and Barry Lubin's Grandma character became a signature performance figure. The company also experimented with new formats, including Circus of the Senses presentations and a proposed second touring unit that was abandoned after weak financial results. In the 2000s, Big Apple Circus continued to produce themed annual shows and community projects. Its 2001 production Dreams of a City was dedicated to New York after the September 11 attacks. The company marked its 25th anniversary in 2002, presented productions featuring record-setting circus skills, and developed Circus to Go to reach communities outside its usual touring footprint. In 2008, Britney Spears performed at the circus site for a televised promotion and the circus later served as the opening act for The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour. PBS subsequently produced Circus, a six-part documentary series portraying the performers, crew, and production process. The early 2010s included Dance On for the 2010–2011 season and Dream Big for 2011–2012, the latter serving as the farewell tour for Lubin's Grandma character. The company also released Big Apple Circus Metamorphosis to video in 2014. Financial conditions deteriorated by 2016. The organization cancelled its customary holiday season, set a fundraising target that it did not fully meet, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 11, 2016. A bankruptcy sale was approved on February 14, 2017, transferring the assets to Big Top Works, an affiliate of Compass Partners, for the amount reported in contemporary reference material as $1.3 million. The new ownership enabled a 40th-anniversary relaunch at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park from October 2017 through January 2018, with Nik Wallenda as headline act. The circus returned for a 41st season in 2018, naming Stephanie Monseu ringmaster and presenting several female-led acts. That season also introduced the Mirror Room, a Spiegeltent-based VIP experience with refreshments, photographs, and performer interactions. Embracing Autism performances, with shorter and sensory-adapted presentations, were introduced after the post-bankruptcy ownership transition. The circus was sold again in 2021, when Wallenda became a minority owner. The available sources establish the brand's continued identity and ownership developments but do not provide a full account of its current touring operations.

1. 2021Ownership changes again

   The circus was sold again, with Nik Wallenda becoming a minority owner.

   Source
2. 201841st season under Stephanie Monseu

   The circus presented a high-flying season with Monseu as ringmaster, female-led acts, and the Mirror Room VIP experience.

   Source
3. 2017Bankruptcy exit and 40th-anniversary relaunch

   The asset sale to Big Top Works was approved and the circus returned to Lincoln Center with Nik Wallenda as headline performer.

   Source
4. 2016Chapter 11 filing

   Big Apple Circus filed for bankruptcy protection after cancelling its holiday season and falling short of its fundraising target.

   Source
5. 2008Circopedia begins

   The circus launched Circopedia, an online encyclopedia focused on circus history and practice.

   Source
6. 2001Dreams of a City honors New York

   The company presented a production dedicated to New York after the September 11 attacks.

   Source
7. 1997Medicine Show attendance record

   The Medicine Show production set a reported New York attendance record, while Clown Care passed 150,000 hospital visits in one year.

   Source
8. 1987Tenth anniversary and Circus of the Senses

   The company marked its tenth anniversary and launched an adapted performance program for audiences with disabilities.

   Source
9. 1986Clown Care launches

   The circus established its hospital-visiting clown program for pediatric patients.

   Source
10. 1983New England touring expands

    The company began arranging tours across New England and received an Obie Award.

    Source
11. 1982International circus competition recognition

    The circus won a silver medal at a circus performing competition in Paris.

    Source
12. 1981Lincoln Center residency begins

    Big Apple Circus began its long association with Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center.

    Source
13. 1977First Big Apple Circus performances

    The company debuted in Battery Park in New York City after its development by Fedin, Krasavina, Binder, and Christensen.

    Source

An intimate, theatrical, one-ring circus rooted in New York City and differentiated by international circus artistry, family-oriented programming, and community accessibility.

• Main-season circus productionsLive circus entertainment1977

  The core Big Apple Circus offering is a themed, family-oriented one-ring production combining aerial acts, acrobatics, juggling, clowning, high-wire work, and sometimes equestrian performance. Productions are presented under a large tent and are structured as theatrical seasons rather than as unrelated individual acts. The company has historically maintained a strong New York connection while also touring to other American cities.

• Circus of the SensesAccessible live performance1987

  Circus of the Senses was created for children and adults with vision, hearing, and other special needs. Adaptations have included sign-language interpretation and sound augmentation, with the broader goal of making the sensory and dramatic elements of circus performance more accessible. The program became one of the company's best-known community-facing initiatives.

• Embracing Autism performancesSensory-adapted live performance2017

  Introduced after the circus's post-bankruptcy ownership transition, Embracing Autism performances use a shorter running time and sensory adjustments intended to make the environment more comfortable for autistic audiences and their families. The format extends Big Apple Circus's earlier commitment to access-oriented programming.

• Clown CareHospital outreach1986

  Clown Care used professional performers trained in hospital procedures, circus skills, and improvisation to visit children in pediatric hospitals. The clowns made rounds in settings including inpatient and outpatient units, intensive care, emergency departments, rehabilitation, and oncology-related care. The program was associated with Big Apple Circus but was not included in the assets sold during the bankruptcy process.

• Circus for AllCommunity access program

  Circus for All distributed tickets to low-income and disadvantaged children, families, and older adults, extending access beyond customers able to purchase ordinary admission. It formed part of the company's wider community mission, although the available material does not establish its current operator.

• Mirror RoomPremium hospitality experience2018

  The Mirror Room was introduced for the 2018 season as a VIP experience in a wooden Spiegeltent. Ticket holders could receive food and beverages, take photographs, and interact with performers in a more intimate setting before or around the main circus presentation.

• 2008Britney Spears promotional concert

  New York City · United States

  Britney Spears performed Circus and Womanizer at the Big Apple Circus site during a televised Good Morning America promotional concert.

  Outcome. The appearance increased the venue and brand's mainstream entertainment visibility; the circus subsequently opened Spears's The Circus Starring Britney Spears world tour.

  Source
• 1998Circus of the Senses city expansion

  Chicago · Atlanta

  TJ Maxx sponsored Big Apple Circus appearances in Chicago and Atlanta featuring Circus of the Senses programming for audiences with special needs.

  Outcome. The initiative extended the accessibility-focused format to additional American cities.

  Source
• 1989NYNEX metropolitan tours

  New York metropolitan area

  NYNEX sponsored metropolitan New York tours aimed at local residents and tourists, helping connect visitors with the circus grounds and the broader New York attraction economy.

  Outcome. The sponsorship supported local exposure and tourism-oriented promotion.

  Source

• 2018Introduce Embracing Autism performances and the Mirror RoomProduct launch

  The relaunch period emphasized audience access while also creating additional premium experiences around the main production.

  What changed. The circus presented shorter, sensory-adapted performances for autistic audiences and added the Mirror Room VIP experience.

  Aftermath. These initiatives broadened the brand's accessibility and hospitality offer, although later operating details are not established in the available sources.

  Source
• 2017Approve sale of circus assetsM&A

  The bankrupt organization required a transaction capable of preserving the brand and supporting a return to live performance.

  What changed. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the sale to Big Top Works, an affiliate of Compass Partners, for a reported $1.3 million.

  Aftermath. The transaction supported the 40th-anniversary season at Lincoln Center and the continuation of community-oriented programming.

  Asset purchase price. $1.3 million (Approved February 14, 2017)

  Source
• 2017Relaunch with a headline acrobat and national-tour ambitionsStrategy

  Following the bankruptcy asset sale, the circus needed to re-establish its public profile and return to performance.

  What changed. The relaunch centered on Nik Wallenda as headline act for a Lincoln Center engagement, with a national tour announced afterward.

  Aftermath. The circus returned for its 40th-anniversary season and later presented a 41st season in 2018.

  Source
• 2016Seek Chapter 11 protectionOther

  The circus cancelled its 2016 holiday season and raised only about half of the reported $2 million fundraising goal needed to maintain operations.

  What changed. Big Apple Circus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 11, 2016.

  Aftermath. The assets were placed into a sale process and later acquired by Big Top Works, enabling a relaunch.

  Source

• 2021Big Apple Circus sold again, with Nik Wallenda taking a minority ownership position

  The circus changed ownership again, and Nik Wallenda became a minority owner.

  M&A
  Source
• 2018Big Apple Circus announces Stephanie Monseu as ringmaster

  Monseu was named ringmaster for the 41st season, which emphasized several female-led circus acts and added a premium hospitality experience.

  Leadership changeProduct launch
  Source
• 2017Bankruptcy court approves sale of Big Apple Circus assets

  The court approved the sale of the circus's assets to Big Top Works, an affiliate of Compass Partners, allowing the brand to return for its 40th-anniversary season.

  BankruptcyM&A
  Source
• 2017Nik Wallenda announced as headline act for the 40th-anniversary comeback season

  The relaunched circus announced Wallenda as its featured performer for a Lincoln Center engagement beginning in October 2017, followed by a planned national tour.

  Product launchLeadership change
  Source
• 2016Big Apple Circus skips its 2016 holiday season amid fundraising problems

  The circus announced that it would not perform its customary holiday season for the first time since 1981 while attempting to raise money to continue operating.

  Other
  Source
• 2016Big Apple Circus files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

  The organization sought bankruptcy protection after financial difficulties and an unsuccessful effort to raise the full amount needed to maintain operations.

  Bankruptcy
  Source

1. Big Apple Circus
2. Big Apple Circus official website