Meet Elizabeth Knights | Artistic Director and Bookings Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Knights and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Elizabeth, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I want to sort of challenge the idea of “success” as being this grand binary thing, something you have achieved or you haven’t. If I were to say “my business is successful now”, it almost implies that there was this one date where it shifted over and everything before that was what exactly? Abject failure? (I jest, but you know). For me, it’s more helpful to talk about “successes”, achievements along the way, big and small. If I just think of my business as “successful now”, I might rest on my laurels or not examine the things that need improvement. There are plenty of things that I’m not as successful at in general, and that can either be an area for growth, collaboration or just acceptance. The other risk of thinking about “success” as binary is that I might forget to celebrate new successes. Each new challenge that comes along (figuring out how to fulfill a very bizarre costume request, conquering Quickbooks confusion, etc.) is an opportunity for success.
Another thing I want to challenge is the idea that I can even be the sole arbiter of how “successful” my business is, the one who gets to determine and define whether something that my business has done is a success or not. In my industry, I would say the go-to definitions of success are “making a lot of money” and “getting a lot of gigs”. Note that the two things aren’t always directly correlated and, in fact, sometimes (certainly not always) “getting a lot of gigs” is a sign that you aren’t charging enough or that you are working too much for your own health. But those definitions leave a *whole* lot out. For instance, another important metric of success is whether my company is sustaining and supporting the local circus community. Do I pay performers and other staff well? Do I treat staff well? Do I prioritize their safety and their ability to enjoy the work they’re doing? I can’t answer all of that myself. That has to be something that the people I employ answer. Similarly, I would proffer that my clients also get a say in determining whether my work is successful.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I run a circus entertainment agency that books performers for a wide range of events from weddings to corporate functions to city festivals. I think what makes my company different from others is my specific artistic vision for what performances should look like at any given event. There are a million choices that go into coordinating talent for an event (which performers will be best for the event, what music should be used, how should performers be costumed, what should the schedule of performances look like, where should be performers be located within the event, who is the best person to manage the performers, etc. etc.) and my years of experience as well as just my own personal preferences inform the decisions I make. I am also a performer with my own company and the two things are kind of inextricably linked because my choreography and my performance style end up being part of my company’s brand.
In terms of the day-to-day grind of running a business by myself, I think I’m most proud of juggling many different responsibilities simultaneously, most of which involve skills that I did not have when I first started the company. If you run a small business by yourself, that likely means you’re the accountant, the social media manager, video editor, the HR manager, rhinestoner of costumes, etc. (okay that last one is maybe more particular to the circus world). It’s kind of wild when you stop to think about it.
Over the course of this past year, I’m proud of putting together some larger circus shows with lots of performers and moving pieces, and I’m proud of getting a significant amount of work for circus artists in the area. I personally like to try to hire a lot of the same performers and staff frequently because my goal is to make a meaningful financial difference in their income. I love it when I’m able to create an experience for a performer that is particularly exciting for them or aligned with their artistic spirit/goals. For instance, I booked an aerialist recently to perform at a wedding that was held in a gorgeous room at the top of a skyscraper with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Boston, and the performer said that was a really special experience for her. And I booked a contortionist to perform at a photography workshop last month, and that was really fun for her because she enjoys doing modeling.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hah! It’s funny, I’ve spent so much time performing in nightclubs and other entertainment venues, that I tend to not seek out nightlife (or really the city) for myself in terms of leisure time. If someone were visiting the area, I would take them for a hike at Ipswich Sanctuary, which is north of Boston. If you bring bird food with you and stand really still with your hand outstretched, the wild birds there will eat right out of your hand. I’ve even had chipmunks eat out of my hand there. We also have some really nice hiking at the Middlesex Fells. It’s kind of weird because it’s quite close to the city but allows you to really escape from it as well.
In terms of restaurants, my two favorite Tibetan places in the Boston area sadly closed after the pandemic hit, but I’m a big fan of the chopped salad chain, Sweetgreen. I like that you can customize what you want, and it’s easy to get something there and take it to go for a picnic (assuming you’re visiting Boston during the three months of the year when being outdoors is tolerable!).
If they were interested, I would probably also take my friend to our local “spinjam” which is where jugglers, hula hoopers, and other “object manipulators” get together to just practice in each other’s presence, hang out and skill share. The Boston Spinjam currently takes place at MIT.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of mentorship from my friend and colleague, Michael “Mooch” Mucciolo. He runs another circus entertainment agency (the Boston Circus Guild) in the same geographical area as mine. He’s played a huge role in establishing a market for privately contracted circus performance in the Boston area and in establishing high standards for how circus performers here are treated and supported. He has answered countless questions for me over the years (questions about insurance, how to respond diplomatically to a difficult client request, particulars of permitting for fire performance, and so much more). This is still a very niche market that we’re in and there certainly is no textbook for it. I do my best to be a resource to other performers as well because I know I relied so much on the advice and experience of others as I was growing as a performer and business person.
Website: https://www.cirquedelight.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cirquedelight
Image Credits
For the “Personal Photo” please credit Beren Jones.