Give & Take Jugglers

Art Form(s):

Theater

Artist Statement

Our three favorite words are "I did it!"

We believe in the power of circus as a vehicle for personal growth, a self-esteem booster, and as a way to knit community and highlight the value of teamwork. It is the perfect combination of exercise, creativity, critical thinking, and personal fortitude. Because circus is inherently non-competitive and yet physical and creative, many children and adults who feel left out of sports or other athletic activities find their home in circus. It is a place where they can learn at their own pace, have a creative outlet, and their only competition is their own personal best.

Artist Bio

The Give & Take Jugglers have enjoyed a tremendously successful 40 year career. Founded in 1982 by a 5th-grade teacher interested in giving his students a performing outlet, Give & Take has had a deep history of educating and inspiring young people. Since then, they have performed in thousands of schools all along the east coast, in addition to community festivals, fundraisers, and events of all shapes and sizes.

Eric Belcher and Allison Watman are the next generation of the Give & Take Jugglers’ family and have performed together for over a decade. Eric, a former Ringling Bros clown, has 40 years of performance experience under his belt, while Allison, an esteemed juggler and aerialist, holds her MA in Elementary Ed from Lesley University and has a passion for education through the arts. Both Eric and Allison work for the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts and Circadium, the first American professional circus college.