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The Russian American Kids Circus on Stage is a fully-staged professional circus whose stars happen to be children between the ages of six and sixteen. These young artists fill the stage with blurs of spangles, sizzling audiences with soaring acrobatics, synchronized unicycling, expert juggling, daring aerial feats, acts of precision balancing, and dazzling black lights. Their routines use the latest state of the art techniques and equipment in the hallowed tradition of the circus. Trained and produced by veterans of the world famous Moscow Circus, the Russian American Kids Circus on Stage transforms professional performing skills into spectacular shows on theatrical stages worldwide.
It all began in 1994 when Alex Berenchtein, a former star of the Moscow Circus and his wife, Regina, and mother–in-law, Olga Partigul, opened the nonprofit academy, “The New Way Circus Center, Inc.” in Brooklyn , New York welcoming children of all ages, nationalities, languages, ethnic backgrounds, and races. Students quickly developed a means of artistic self-expression through the performing skills learned through the circus curriculum. Children loved it and learned teamwork, developed self-confidence, gained greater self-esteem, and developed physically in a supportive educational environment. The program's discipline encouraged greater achievement in other life skill areas and nurtured professional and personal development. The advanced students who mastered the basic skills formed the performing troupe that came to be known as The Russian American Kids Circus on Stage.
The group has performed 1500 shows in 34 states, Canada & British Virgin Islands.
The following is a partial listing of performances:
- State Theatre , New Brunswick , New Jersey
- The King Center for the Performing Arts, Melbourne , Florida
- The Classic Center , Athens , Georgia
- The Grand Opera House, Wilmington , Delaware
- The Macomb Center , Detroit , Michigan
- Walt Disney World, Millennium Celebration, Epcot , Florida
- First Night , York , Pennsylvania
- The Meadowbrook Amphitheatre, Rochester , Michigan
- Central Park, Summer Stage, New York City
- Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua , New York
- Paramount Wonderland Theme Park , Toronto , Canada
- Mayfair Theater, Allentown , Pennsylvania
Under the official sponsorship of Fleet Bank, a circus care program was created for senior citizens. During the holiday season, more then 30 senior citizens' centers and nursing homes enjoyed this program. In addition, there were performances in New York City at children's hospitals and shelters for homeless families.
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