June ACE Discussion: Theme or Narrative: How to Broaden and Deepen your Circus Shows.

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Theme or Narrative: How to Broaden and Deepen your Circus Shows.

How does a youth circus director choose a juicy theme or write a narrative? How will a theme or narrative become the magnetic force that then fuses all the elements together (light, sound, dance, gesture, group movement and costumes) to provide the richest experience for the youth and their audiences? Find out the secret from two directors at work on very different scales, each for over thirty years. With AYCO and Circus Minimus founder Kevin O’Keefe and Circus Juventas co-founder Betty Butler.

Led by Betty Butler & Kevin O'Keefe

Elisabeth "Betty" Butler developed a passion for circus arts as a teenager, first training at Sailor Circus in Sarasota, Florida, where she worked with the legendary Flying Wallendas, and later at Florida State University’s Flying High Circus while earning her bachelor’s degree in international business and Italian.

In 1994, Betty and her husband, Dan, co-founded Circus Juventas, recognizing a unique opportunity to provide access to circus arts—filling a gap not addressed by traditional athletic or arts programs. Under their leadership, Circus Juventas grew to train over 900 students annually, earning national and international recognition as a leader in youth development through circus arts training.

From 1994 to 2023, as Artistic Director, Betty spearheaded the creative vision for Circus Juventas’ spring and holiday productions, as well as the celebrated summer spectacle which she conceived of and directed; from script development to scoring, direction to set design, and choreography to costumes, producing all 28 annual large-scale, theatrically infused showcases featuring CJ’s most advanced youth circus artists. Many of these advanced students/acts went on to earn medals at international youth circus festivals in Italy, Germany, Australia and Sweden, including the prestigious Circopedia award presented by Dominque Jando for excellence in the circus arts.

Betty has been a speaker/panelist/judge in support of youth circus for leading circus organizations such as AYCO, FMC, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Endowment for the Arts. She also served on the advisory board of the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque in Monte Carlo from 2014 – 2024 and is a founding member of the Global Alliance for Circus Schools.

Now retired in Florida, Betty and Dan continue to consult on circus projects while enjoying the vibrant circus community of Sarasota.

Kevin Maile O’Keefe has traveled the world since 1985 to both teach and study circus, theater and yoga. As the artistic director of Circus Minimus he has directed residencies and performances that have touched the lives of over 100,000 children and their families. In 2001 he was awarded an Excellence in Education award from the IJA. He received an advanced Hatha yoga certification in 1991 from the Integral Yoga Institute. For five years he was an instructor at the Big Apple Circus School in Harlem, New York. He is the founder and past president of the American Youth Circus Organization.

June ACE Discussion: Theme or Narrative: How to Broaden and Deepen your Circus Shows.

Tuesday June 10 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Virtual

Upcoming Events

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May ACE Discussion -... May 13

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