Big Apple Circus history

By 1979, two circus arts schools had been opened with money raised from the circus shows.

The next year they moved to 8th Avenue and 50th Street and finally in 1980 to their annual home at Damrosch Park near Lincoln Center.

In 1982, the circus won a silver medal at a circus performing competition held in Paris.

The circus began to arrange tours across New England in 1983.

By 1984, the New York School for Circus Arts/Big Apple Circus relocated to East Harlem.

Also, in 1985 and for the next few years, BAC performers appeared as guest artists with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center.

Then, in 1986, one of the biggest steps in the institution's history was taken, when the circus opened the Clown Care unit.

The circus celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1987 with a big celebration, as well as a new tent and seating system added.

During the 1988 season, the Big Apple Circus participated in the first circus collaboration between China and the United States in history. "East Meets West" debut at the Lincoln Center Damrosch Park.

In 1989, NYNEX started to sponsor metropolitan New York tours to residents of the area and tourists as well.

In 1991, the circus appeared in a Hollywood film commemorating its 15th anniversary.

In 1993, the circus set a new attendance record.

Gary Dunning became the Big Circus' executive director in 1994.

Peter T. Grauer became the circus' Chairman in 1995, replacing Patricia Rosenwald.

By 1996, there was increased interest in Big Apple Circus and its performers in cities outside the New York/New England area.

1997 saw new attendance records set, as an estimated 170,000 people went to see the circus' "Medicine Show" production over a total of 114 New York City performances.

During 1998, the circus was able to break attendance records again, as it celebrated twenty years of operation with engagements at New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and in Boston.

In 1999, co-founder Michael Christensen was inducted into Miami's Ambassador David A. Walters pediatric Hall of Fame, for his "contributions to pediatrics" by way of the circus and its different programs.

Additionally, the Big Apple Circus became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in March 2000.

A new seating system was installed in the circus big top, and, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the circus opened its "Dreams of a City" show, which was dedicated to the City of New York.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed November 1, 2002, as "Big Apple Circus Day". The circus celebrated its 25th anniversary with a documentary film about the creation and production of that year's show.

In 2004, a TV documentary created by ABC on the circus received an Emmy award in the "Outstanding Entertainment in Programming Single Program" category.

Then, in 2005, Barry Lubin helped produce a show entitled "Grandma Goes To Hollywood."

In 2006, Haifa University in Israel began offering a degree in medical clowning through its drama school.

The earned revenue for the circus has been declining since the financial crisis, down to $14 million last year from a peak of $19 million during the 2007-8 season.

On December 2, 2008, Britney Spears performed her hits Circus & Womanizer in a televised promotion concert on Good Morning America at the Big Apple Circus.

On November 2, 2010, PBS began to air the six-part event, told in chronological order.

When the character of Grandma the clown, a beloved attraction at the circus for 25 years, was retired in 2011, NPR interviewed Barry Lubin, who embodied her.

In 2014, the Big Apple Circus Metamorphosis was released to video.

The circus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 11, 2016.

An auction of the assets of Big Apple Circus was announced on January 13, 2017.

In September 2018, Big Apple Circus announced Bindlestiff Family Cirkus owner Stephanie Monseu as the new Ringmaster for Big Apple Circus's 41st season.