Hello OAC blog followers!

Sorry for the delay between posts. We had some issues that needed to be worked out before we could do any more.

But anyways, I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Jackson Manz-Siek, who is the son of Ms. Lori Manz, a leader of the OPENAIR Circus Program. Mr. Manz-Siek has participated in the OAC for approximately 13 years, although this is an estimate on his part. He was, at first, a student at the program, but has also assumed leadership positions.

When I asked Mr. Manz-Siek about the atmosphere of the OPENAIR Circus, he described it as “very welcoming”, and the people there are “all there to learn, all there to teach us” according to him. When asked about the skills that the OAC taught to people, aside from circus skills, Mr. Manz-Siek said it “teaches you how to interact with people.” He said that working at the OAC is a “great experience” since there are “so many different people” that attend the program.

My final question for Mr. Manz-Siek was about a memory he held dear from his time at the OAC. He responded by describing a time when he was not as involved in performing, but spent more time backstage and consequently saw the program from a different perspective than he had before. He described being deeply impressed with “seeing how much effort people put in to performing and learning”

Overall, it appears that Mr. Manz-Siek has a very favorable impression of the program. If any teenager reading this wants to do some of the things he did, contact us at circusteens@gmail.com . Also, visit the OAC website, at www.openaircircus.org .