Michael Perry has a knack for clowning around -- literally.
The Forest Hills resident, a graduate of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, worked for two years as a clown with the circus' Blue Unit and smaller circuses in Puerto Rico and New Orleans.
With a master's degree in elementary education, he's also spent the last two decades writing and presenting educational assemblies.
Perry will combine those skills -- along with some juggling and unicycle riding -- when he does a high-flying act as ringmaster of Circus Camp, a two-week program for children and teens to learn about the circus as a performing art.
The camp will be held on weekdays from June 9 to 20 at Penn State Beaver campus in Monaca.
During camp, Perry will use his circus, magic and storytelling talents to introduce a new generation to one-ring circus acts.
Professional jugglers Michael Karas of Carrick and Kathy Doutt of Midland are assistant instructors.
"We can give them just enough fun to get the itch," Perry says. "You can teach a kid how to have fun with basically nothing."
For example, the students will make juggling balls from plastic bags, rice and balloons.
They will also learn about circus publicity, costuming, makeup and will assist with props, construction and painting.
Among the skills taught will be tumbling, juggling, clowning, stilt walking, pyramids, pogo sticks, rolling globe, unicycling and rola bola, which requires balancing on a board placed atop a cylinder. Perry hopes to get a low tightwire so "the skill is there but not the danger."
Circus stunts are athletically demanding and physically challenging.
The camp is geared toward children who aren't necessarily interested in sports but may have a circus talent that more athletic friends can't do, says Dana Alvetro, program assistant for Penn State Beaver's continuing education department.
"The neat part about the kind of skills we'll do is, with a little effort, a very average kid can amaze themselves with what they can do," Perry says.
One of the attractions of the circus -- an almost magnetic draw -- is the sense of adventure, escape and danger, Perry says.
He emphasizes that the camp will be a safe environment because students will "keep their feet on the ground and their heads in the sky."
At the end of the camp, students will show off their skills in a grand finale performance.
As ringmaster, Perry is bringing back the camp, which ran two years before a hiatus last year.
This is the first time he is involved with the Penn State program, which has drawn students from Allegheny and other counties surrounding Beaver in past years.
One of the highlights of Perry's life was spending his 21st birthday performing at center ring at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Cirque du Soleil has changed the concept of the circus for today's children. In the old days, a circus served as a traveling arena, zoo and museum with entertainment and games.
"All those functions today have been eclipsed," Perry says. "People go to the circus just to look at the past."
Although Perry's main job is public relations, performing is still a big part of his life. He's also developed an interest in storytelling, often using circus themes.
"They say the circus puts the sawdust in your veins. I've never managed to run away and join the real world."
Circus Camp
Dates: Monday - Friday, June 9 - 20
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: $295
Ages: 7 and up
"Try-Me" Day
Date: Monday, June 9
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: $50
Ages: 7 and up
If participants decide to stay for the remainder of the camp, the "try-me" fee will be applied to the total camp fee.
For More Information
Web site: www.Beaver.psu.edu/ce [1]
Phone: 724-773-3700
Space is limited.