BETH ROONEY | Chicago | Photographer|

Photo Essays :: Stories: Behind the Curtain

Zoppé, an Italian Family Circus, has been entertaining crowds around the world since 1842.  

Unlike most contemporary circuses which feature unrelated individual acts, performances of the Zoppé Family Circus tell a story, starring Nino the Clown and Tosca, the equestrian ballerina. Nino and Tosca's tale includes acrobatics, juggling, dogs, horses, audience participation, and even more clowns. With a cast that changes from city to city, the Zoppé troupe focuses on emotional connections with the audience and works to preserve the dying art of family circus. As Nino Zoppé explains, “To me, the word circus means family."  

 

  • Tosca Zoppe peaks through a hole in the backstage curtain to get a better sense of the crowd that night.
  • Carlo Gentile holds Giulia, 1, in front of the tent at The Zoppé family circus in Addison, Illinois.
  • Jay's costume hangs in front of his trailer in Oak Forest, Illinois.
  • Jay jokingly struggles to help Tosca, his wife, into her costume before the show.
  • Jay chats with fellow performers between acts in Oak Forest, Illinois.
  • Jay plays the accordian before the show in Addison, Illinois.
  • Before each show all the performers form a circle to say a prayer asking for safety and a good show.
  • Nino and his sister, Tosca, make final adjustments to Julien's costume before he goes into the ring with his father, Nino.
  • Tosca Zoppe finishes a prayer before going into the ring for the finale.
  • Jay enters the ring.
  • Tosca Zoppe performs her aerial act in Addison, Illinois.
  • Gena juggling fire during her act in Oak Forest. The crowd gasped every time she performed.
  • Jay and Tosca perform their equestrian act.
  • Nino and his son Julien bury a broken balloon as part of their act during a performance in Oak Forest, Illinois.
  • Adrian Poema Jr. encourages the audience to clap after completing a particularly difficult juggling trick.
  • Nino pretends to put his son, Julien, into the chest at the end of the show.
  • Children gather together to watch as their Polaroid with Cavalino develops. During intermission children are allowed to enter the ring and get their picture taken, for a fee, with Tosca and Cavalino. This is the most popular souvenir at the show.
  • A worker waits for intermission at the concession stand at the Zoppe Family Circus.
  • Popcorn mixes with moneycollected from popcorn sales during intermission at the Zoppe Family Circus
  • Jay and Rick talk about musical cues for the show.
  • The twins share popcorn before the show in Addison, Illinois.
  • Tommy Poema, 3, sings behind stage.
  • Giovanni returns to his trailer to change and remove his make up after the final show.
  • Carla Zoppé has a cigarette before the first show in Des Plaines, Illinois. Carla used to perform equestrian tricks, but now participates in her husband's act.
  • Sandra talks with Tosca as she sweeps up the trailer between shows. Normally Tosca would have changed before sweeping up but they are expecting dinner guests after the final show and there was little time to clean up and cook between the shows.
  • Wendy and Jacey play around while the rest of the crew works to tear down the tent and move on to the next city.
  • Juggling practice behind the scences at the Zoppé Family Circus
  • Performing without his regular guitar (it was stolen at the previous stop on the tour) this musician must make do with a second hand guitar which needs attention after almost every show.
  • The Zoppé Family circus travels around the country together for the summer months and then breaks up into individual acts for the off season.
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