The Greatest Show on Earth
Sept. 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23
Hybrid – Friday 10:10 am – 11:50 am
Step right up ladies and gentlemen! Explore the fascinating world of the circus from its ancient origins to the blockbuster productions of today. Check out how the performers, animals, and stages have evoked emotions and engaged audiences over the centuries. The circus has something for everyone – history, performing arts, fine arts, and even popcorn. Come experience the magic with us! Revised course
- Week 1: Origins of the Circus – Ancient Rome and Ancient China
- Week 2: Philip Astley and the Birth of the Modern Circus
- Week 3: The Golden Age of the American Circus, P.T. Barnum
- Week 4: Daily Life Under the Big Top
- Week 5: Animals, Ethics and Changing Attitudes
- Week 6: The Circus Today: Reinvention and Contemporary Performance
Elissa Kaplan holds a doctorate in education from George Washington University and degrees in German Language and Literature and Comparative Literature, with a specialty in Jewish Studies. She is a writer, speaker, teacher and an educational consultant and has served as Director of Education at synagogues, and is the past President of the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County.