We had the good fortune of connecting with Super Jes Schultz and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Super Jes, how does your business help the community?
Circus is accessible to all, no matter what age, demographic and/or ability. From Juggling and ribbon dancing to partner and aerial acrobatics, circus offers an opportunity for all to participate and engage in learning new things, creating and expressing, developing and expanding on a unique way of existing in and contributing to the world. Circus offers a holistic practice and education in body, mind and spirit. Our business offers classes, camps, workshops and parties to all ages, offers scholarships to those in need, and brings entertainment and participation opportunities to neighborhood parks and through fellow business partnerships. The true nature of circus brings an explosion of smiles to our community members.
Our business offers real world skill building opportunities through Evolution Circus – our teen performance and professional development troupe. And through training and hiring students to be educators and business managers themselves.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As an athlete growing up, I gained abilities in team work/collaboration, risk taking/overcoming challenges, dedication/perseverance. These contributed to the creation of the circus center business – I could not have done it alone. Fort Collins Circus Center (FC3) is now over 5 years old. These were a very arduous 5 years. As any business owner will tell you, it takes consistently working overtime to make your dreams a reality. Along with my team, I was able to coordinate efforts with good communication, maintain my passion through self care and play, overcome challenges and continue learning through failures and getting up to try again.
With a masters degree in Sport Pedagogy, bachelors degree in dance performance, 24 years of teaching experience, training from Ecole Nationale du Cirque – home to Cirque du Solei, and a decade of business management experience, I was able to lead a team and get to where I am today. I continue to spread FC3’s reach into the larger world of circus through national membership, regional participation in aerial competitions and educational summits, and new partnerships around the world helping other communities to develop circus programming.
We at FC3 believe in the power of circus to help individuals and communities develop strength in mind, body and spirit.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Horsetooth reservoir is the first place I would take a visiting friend. Personally I feel that near a large body of water out in nature is the most serene place to be. And surrounded by foothills make this a magical place! We would shop in Old Town Fort Collins, eat at Simmer, Los Tarascos, Simply Thai, and Tasty Harmony, see a dance performance at the Lincoln center, see a concert at Red Rocks, visit the Gardens on Spring creek and hike Hewlitt Gulch or to up to Horsetooth Falls. We could even play miniature golf in the Old Town neighborhoods! Mini festivals are a great way to people watch and taking a bike ride on Fort Collins’ trails is my favorite way to see all of the city.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Artistic Director and General Manager at FC3 Julie Young.
Website: www.fortcollinscircus.com
Instagram: instagram.com/circuscenter_fortcollins
Facebook: facebook.com/fortcollinscircuscenter
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@fortcollinscircuscenter
Other: Registration platform: dancestudio-pro.com/online/fortcollinscircuscenter
Image Credits
John Zamora www.johnzamoramedia.com Barry Zuroski @barryzphotog