The performance of a lifetime

By Kellie Lanigan

It was 4:00 a.m. in New York City. The sun had yet to rise, and the room was dark as a cave.

Heavy, thick hotel curtains blocked out the bright city lights that shine through the sky. The

clock struck 4:05 a.m. with a blaring alarm. Tired moans filled the room, but in an instant,

everyone awoke. No one was truly upset when they realized today was Thanksgiving morning.

This was the day Gamma Phi Circus would make history.

Back in April, moments before the Gamma Phi Circus was about to perform their final

number at their 90th anniversary show, program director Rainie Themer had an important

announcement to make. This announcement would forever change the Gamma Phi Circus. The

crowd was attentive as Themer took the floor. In that moment, he looked at his performers and

smiled. He was soaking it all in. He flipped on his microphone, and the audio booth pulled up his

volume, and everyone in that arena went wild.

“There is not a point in my career where I have felt prouder,” said Themer. “Performing

in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is our moment. It is our chance to show how hard we

work day in and day out. We get to share our greatest achievement with the world.”

Slowly but surely, each performer slipped out of bed and grazed over to the shower.

Themer gave strict instructions to meet in the hotel lobby in full costume by 5:00 a.m. sharp. As

the performers piled into the elevator to go down to the lobby, the nerves started to hit.

Earlier in the month, it was announced that theatrical legend Billy Porter is set to perform

with the Gamma Phi Circus. Porter is best known for his work on Broadway and has a collection

of awards from the Grammys, Tonys, and Emmys.

 “Ultimately, I just do not want to screw up,” said Gamma Phi Circus juggler Adam Reed.

“With that large of an audience, all eyes are on you. There is a lot of pressure. You want to give

your best performance.”

At 5:00 a.m. once all of the performers arrived, it was time to get into full makeup. Blush

and hairspray filled the air. Brushes were getting thrown around. All of the clowns painted on

their smiles and noses, while the acrobats were gluing stunning sparkling gems on their cheeks.

After a half hour, everyone was ready to go meet Porter. As they walked out, they left a trail of

glitter behind.

Excitement and nerves bounced around. Each performer knew their routines like the back

of their hand. They could do the routines in their sleep. Porter came in and greeted them with the

warmest smile anyone had ever seen. There was an instant moment of calmness. All of the

nerves and stress were for nothing. Now, it was just a matter of time before everyone could do

what they love. Perform.