Circus performers: a guide for pros
What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.
Offering circus performers
You offer circus performances such as juggling, acrobatics and aerial work for festivals, corporate events and parties. This guide covers what customers ask, how to win the booking and what to show on your profile.
What customers ask
- What skills are in your act, and can I see a full video?
- What rigging do you need, and who inspects it?
- How do you keep the audience safe?
- What is your weather plan?
- Do you carry liability insurance that covers the performers and the audience?
How to win the job
- On the first call, ask about the event type, the audience size, the space, the rigging options and the show length before you talk about the booking
- Send a video of the full act and a photo of your rigging setup, labeled with the skills and the event type
- Put the performer count, the show length, the rigging and space needs, the safety plan and the insurance details in the written quote
- Share a written safety plan that covers audience distance, inspection steps and emergency contacts
- Confirm the rigging points, the ground surface and any structure with the venue and the engineer or inspector before the event
- Explain your weather plan in writing and agree on the decision time with the organizer
- Name your backup performer plan and confirm the booking in writing
What to put on your profile
- Video of full acts with the skills labeled
- Photos of your rigging setup and safety gear with the venue type listed
- A list of the event types you perform for and the audience sizes you have handled
- Your insurance status and the venue types where you have performed
Follow-up that helps the customer
- Offer a site visit before the event to check the space and the rigging points
- Suggest a second show time for a larger festival so more guests can see the act
- Recommend a short family-friendly version of the act for a children's section of an event
Licenses and permits
No state license is usually required for circus performance. Carry general liability insurance, any local business license that applies and documentation for rigging inspections and effects, and check state and local requirements with your licensing agency and the venue before taking jobs, especially for aerial work, fire effects or public shows.
Questions
Do I need a permit for aerial rigging?
Often the venue or local authority requires an inspection or approval. Ask the venue and check with your state or local licensing agency before rigging.
How do I keep the audience safe during a show?
Set a clear audience line, keep guests away from rigs and effects and have a spotter or safety person on the ground for every aerial moment.
What if the weather turns during an outdoor show?
Agree on a weather decision time and a plan for rain or wind with the organizer. Share the plan with every performer and the event staff.
About this guide
This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.
Edit history
- Oct 29, 2026: Drafted by infinibell to our content guidelines.
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