The Junior Gamma Phi Circus is a Thomas Metcalf School activities program for 3rd to 8th graders. The Jr. Gamma Phi Circus began practicing for the first time in September 1986 and presented its first show in April, 1987. This extracurricular program was the brainchild of Dr. Tom Romance, a physical education teacher at Metcalf School and Rob Miller, a therapeutic recreation major at Illinois State University and member of the University Circus. The purpose of the Jr. Circus was to provide physically challenging, non-competitive activities for 2nd through 8th grade students at Metcalf Lab School.
In its inaugural year, the circus attracted 75 students participating in 10 acts from juggling to tightwire. Currently 175 students participate in Jr. Gamma Phi Circus, more than half of the student population. Acts have doubled in number and now include aerial acts such as swinging trapeze and spanish webs.
To its credit, the Jr. Gamma Phi Circus has spawned the creation of two other performing troupes; The Tho-Mer-Dil children’s circus in Rock Falls, IL. and the Denver Place School Juggling Club in Wilmington, Ohio.
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