Scholar & Student Essays

The Circus in America project will work with other scholars to prepare contextual and interpretative essays for designated categories. Time lines will draw parallels to the circus and other cultural and historical events that occurred in the United States during the project’s time frame, such as the development of the American railroad and how this impacted the circus and its ability to bring its style of entertainment to all parts of the country that the railroad could reach.





Dr. Janet Davis, "Bearded Ladies, Dainty Amazons, Hindoo Fakirs, and Lady Savages: Circus Representations of Gender and Race in Victorian America" is available to download here. [24 page pdf] NO PART OF THIS TEXT CAN BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF DR. DAVIS.

Dr. Janet Davis, "Bearded Ladies, Dainty Amazons, Hindoo Fakirs, and Lady Savages: Circus Representations of Gender and Race in Victorian America", [Videopresentation] discussed gender and race issues in the American circus. Video clips from her lecture are available here. Please note: The videos were captured in MPEG-4 format. They can be viewed in Quicktime, VLC Media Player, or other media players compatible to the MPEG-4 format.

John W. Frick, "Fireworks, Bonfires, Ballrooms and More." New York’s Palace Garden. by John W. Frick. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION OF PERFORMING ARTS RESOURCES.

John W. Frick "Monday The Herald Tuesday the Victoria (Re)Packaging, and (Re)Presenting the Celebrated and the Notorious on the Popular Stage." by John W. Frick. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION OF NINETEENTH CENTURY THEATRE AND FILM.

Student Essays

• Sara Avery, "Different and on the Margins" Drama 208; Spring 06 [5 pages pdf]
• Elizabeth Darby, "The Circus in Children's Literature" Drama 208; Spring 06 [6 pages pdf]
• Michael Ehmann, "The Monopolized Circus" Drama 208; Spring 06 [6 pages pdf]
• Anthony LaMesa, "Clowns, Elephants and Race: The Late 19th Century American Circus and the Creation and Perpetuation of Post-Slavery 'whiteness' " Drama 208; Spring 06 [8 pages pdf]