They flew through the air with the greatest of ease … and raised over $5,000 for the YMCA of McDonough County.
According to YMCA Circus Director Amy Fansler Milas, who is now officially retired from that role following Saturday's fundraiser performance, 'Cirque Du Soiree,' which presented acrobats from the Y's circus and from Illinois State University's Gamma Phi Circus, was a'success.'
'The event was well-received, and we feel it went very well,' she said. 'The kids did a great job!'
Twenty-five area children performed at the March 14 event, along with Juliet Fansler, Sabrina Gaber, Amy Brandel of the Gamma Phi Circus, as well Gamma Phi alumna Kyle Lantz, just finished touring professionally with Teatro Zinzanni Chicago.
With Milas' retirement as the program's director, Tiffany Erickson is stepping in to take over the ground circus portion. Classes will be offered at 6 p.m., Wednesdays, while Tammi Bories will lead the adults-only aerials class on Tuesday nights.
'We've had an interest from adults wanting to take a class like this for years, we just never have been able to find the time to offer it,' Milas added. 'We will finally be fulfilling that request for the community, and we're hoping that the class may create a few aerial coaches so our youth aerials classes could open back up in future.'
Private lessons are not currently available due to a skilled staffing shortage; however, a waiting list has been started, she noted. Founded by Milas nearly 15 years ago, the Y Circus has offered opportunities for area residents ages four and up to learn circus-style acrobatics and floor routines, such as clowning, stilting, juggling
and more. Western Illinois University Theatre Technical Director Dan Schmidt provides his tech and safety expertise to the shows, while other parents have helped coordinate events and performances. 'We're one of only two YMCA circuses in the country and we're so proud of our
