Michael Henninger

Editorial: Essays: Kelly Miller Circus

Crewman from the Kelly Miller Circus erect the circus' tent at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Meadville, Pa. after their caravan traveled there from Corry, Pa. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. The traveling circus generally performs at a different location every day.
  
Aerialist Delena Fusco stretches while talking with fellow aerialist Sara Greene, left, during a rehearsal time in the mid-afternoon in Meadville, Pa. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
  
Elephant Handler Buckner Young sprays down Traci, one of three elephants at the Kelly Miller Circus in the mid-afternoon in Meadville, Pa. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
     
  
Circus clown Steve Copeland applies make-up in his trailer before the start of the days first show in Meadville, Pa. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
   
Circus clown Steve Copeland pats his face down with baby powder as part of his makeup application before the start of the Kelly Miller Circus' first of two daily shows in Meadville, Pa. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
  
The Poema family, from left, Mariana Poema, 12, father Adrian Poema, and son Adrian Poema Jr. rehearse their human juggling act while ringmaster John Moss III, center, looks over the shows performance list with his son Nathan Moss and juggler Raul Olivares, right, before the start of their second daily performance in Corry, Pa. on Monday, July 25, 2011.
     
  
Tiger Trainer Ryan Holder opens the one of the Kelly Miller Circus' two daily shows in Meadville, Pa. with his routine on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
  
Performer Fridman Torales's shadow is cast onto the tent of the Kelly Miller Circus as he performs his Loop Walk during one of the Circus' shows in Meadville, Pa. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
  
Elephants Traci, Becky and Lisa wow spectators watching the Kelly Miller Circus perform in Corry, Pa. on Monday, July 25, 2011.
     
  
Fire manipulator Brian LaPalme closes out the circus' evening performance by breathing a plum of fire into the air in Corry, Pa on Monday, July 25, 2011. LaPalme also acts as the circus' chef, preparing two meals daily for the crew and performers.
  
Aerialist Delana Fusco puts the finishing touches on a costume change before the evening show's finale in Meadville, Pa. on Thursday, July 26, 2011.
  
Performers in the Kelly Miller Circus come together while closing out the day's final performance in Meadville, Pa. as the curtain closes on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
     
  
From left, clown Steve Copeland, tiger trainer Ryan Holder, and aerialist Nikki Ogle gather around a grill and tell stories after finishing the days shows in Meadville, Pa. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.