Jason Gibson has spent ten years with the circus.
Yet he never fails to get excited before the show.
“It’s the excitement,” the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Boom a Ring production manager said, “It’s putting smiles on people’s faces everyday. I feed off the energy just as much as performers do. It’s all about bringing you back to your child hood.”
Gibson will have the opportunity to share his excitement on Aug. 13 when the circus comes to Dodge Arena with an all new show.
“I’m very excited because we have six white Bengal tiger trainers by one of the youngest tiger trainers in the world,” he said. “What’s great is she doesn’t just do the tigers she’s an aerialist as well.”
Gibson acts as acts as “quality control” for the production, which began in December of 2007 and has already performed in more than 350 shows in 58 cities. He’s responsible for ensuring that each performance goes smoothly and that the creative team’s original visions and directives are maintained. He also handles performer-related issues and shares responsibility for operational matters with the show’s General Manager.
Because of his position Gibson watches every show in black suit, clipboard and stop watch in hand, preparing for any possible problem. But while some people might get bored watching the same show night after night, Gibson says he still sees the magic in the circus.
“My favorite part of the show is the pre-show,” he said. “It gives everybody a chance to meet the performers – they’re ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
During the pre-show, which is included in an admission and occurs an hour before the circus opens, circus-goers can try on costumes, talk with performers and learn circus skills.
“It’s funny to see the transformation in people (when they put on the costumes),” Gibson said. “They stick their chests out more. They feel like a performer.”
And the performers, over time, have started to feel like family for 38-year-old Gibson.
“If someone needs help, there’s always someone there,” he affirms. “There’s no ‘it’s not my job’ in a company of this size!”
Paige Lauren Deiner covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425.
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What: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Boom a Ring
When: Wednesday through Sunday, 7:30 p.m., additional shows Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $15.00 and & $20.00 All seats are reserved and available at www.Ringling.com, the Dodge Arena Box Office or by phone at 956-668-7740.
