WELCOME TO CIRCUS BELLA
“Classical circus reimagined for a modern world”
With gusto and daring, humanity and heart, we connect with our audiences by way of thrilling feats, engaging camaraderie and the heartbeat of a live band! We delight in showing audiences what people can do, in ways they haven’t seen before. Audiences are bedazzled, lifted up, and join in the celebration of the heart and soul of circus: community, joy, and achieving the impossible. We are the Bay Area’s premiere one-ring circus, curated in the traditions of earlier eras with forward-thinking sensibilities and flair. Like the word Bella in our name, we celebrate the beauty of the circus art form and the beauty of what humans can do together. We take pride in unifying people by presenting an experience so joyous and magical that it keeps children of all ages coming back again and again.
WHAT WE DO
Circus in the Parks-- A themed series of FREE summer performances in parks and open spaces in the Bay Area featuring an outdoor ring, our live Circus Bella All-Star Band, and the Circus Bella company. Performances are open to the community.
Big Top Show--An original 90-minute circus spectacular, featuring international circus acts, local favorites and the Circus Bella All-Star band. This is the ultimate immersive experience that pleases all of the senses--from daring acts to feats of wonder, to the engaging delight of our clowns...and we even have popcorn, too!
Customized Classic Circus Experiences for Private/Corporate Occasions--Give us your vision, we’ll design your circus.
Abigail Munn on Circus Bella
Executive Director, Co-founder, Producer, Trapeze Artist
Abigail got her start as a performer in the Bay Area’s Pickle Family Circus when she was just 9 years old. Watch her interview to find out why she thinks the circus still holds so much magic for people of all ages.
“I have spent my entire life entrenched in the San Francisco Bay Area’s vibrant arts community. My vision is to recreate and reimagine creative work that is entertaining, beautiful and relevant.”
- Abigail Munn, Circus Bella Director
THE CAST
We have a diverse and unique company, representing talents from all corners of the world and different backgrounds, perspectives and special artistic gifts. We feature aerialists, acrobats, family foot jugglers, clowns, and more – all performed to original music written by local music legend Rob Reich and performed by a live six-piece band!
Many of our employed performance artists are Bay Area residents, an intentional focus to ensure that local artists receive competitive employment and a venue to pursue their creative careers. Over the years we’ve worked with over 86 artists both near and far from home.
HISTORY
Since our founding in 2008 by David Hunt and Abigail Munn, we have delighted audiences throughout the Bay Area. Since then, Circus Bella’s Circus in the Parks project has offered over 160 performances to more than 80,000 people in 37 locations. In 2017, Circus Bella was invited to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., where it presented its production, "Bay City Rhapsody" to thousands of festival goers on the National Mall. In November 2018, Circus Bella offered its first winter showcase, Kaleidoscope, located in a big top circus tent on Treasure Island. In summer of 2019 it toured this production to Snowmass and Avon Colorado. Circus Bella currently operates as a 501c3, not-for-profit organization.
We are seeking to expand our list of community, government, and corporate partners to provide opportunities for the local community – and particularly the local youth community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please e-mail Abigail Munn at bookings@circusbella.org.
PARTNER WITH US
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Circus Bella is made possible in part by contributions from San Francisco Grants for the Arts
