Step right up, folks, to Payomet's first annual CIRQUE FEST! To celebrate our Cirque by the Sea team and summer at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, we're inviting you to come out this Veteran's Day weekend to indulge in some family friendly circus fun and help us close out the circus season– including the last two performances of our original production, Overboard! A Circus at Sea, the world premiere of our short documentary film, A Cirque by the Sea, and a discussion about the history of modern circus by author, Thom Wall.

These are free community events, with the exception of the fully staged live performances of "Overboard" inside the gorgeous WHAT theater – so please join us before and/or after, and grab a ticket for the show– it's your last chance of the season!

Schedule:

Saturday, November 9, 2024:

1:30-5pm Outdoor Juggle Jam 
(Juggle) Jam out with Cirque by the Sea's talented circus professional, Trevor Pearson. It's fun for the whole family– so all ages and experience levels are welcome and encouraged. Props you might see folks using at juggle jam include: balls, hoops, juggling clubs, diabolos, yo-yos, spinning tops, rings, batons, levi-wands, flower sticks, toy trucks, staves, poi, hats, and more!

3:00-5:30pm Hot Chocolate Bar and Popcorn station
Warm up with a cup of complimentary hot chocolate (we'll have all-the-toppings) and popcorn outside under our mini circus tents.

5:00pm World Premiere of Payomet's short documentary film, "A Cirque by the Sea" (Doors open at 4:30pm)
Step inside W.H.A.T.'s world class theater and take a backstage pass inside the labor of love that Payomet proudly calls circus. Under the direction of local film maker Casey Clark, learn firsthand what it takes our team to conceptualize and create their original productions each summer– from theme and idea to costumes and props, to dress rehearsal– and finally, to showtime.

5:30pm performance of "Overboard! A Circus at Sea"***
Last summer, Payomet Cirque by the Sea brought us their original production, "Overboard" about a salty sea captain who has stubbornly fished New England waters the same way for a lifetime. Troubled by dwindling catches, garbage in his nets, and changing oceans, he struggles to make ends meet. In a moment of desperation, he calls out to the ocean for answers. As if in response, a colossal storm strikes his vessel, and the captain plunges into an unforgettable adventure. Following the performance, meet the artists and crew in the lobby for a celebration of all-things-circus.

Sunday, November 10, 2024:

1:30-5pm Outdoor Juggle Jam
This is our last Juggle Jam of the season with Trevor, come out and play!

5:00pm Viewing of Payomet's documentary film, "A Cirque by the Sea" (Doors open at 4:30pm)
We're back inside the intimate and majestic W.H.A.T. theater for a second chance to view this originally produced documentary short, detailing the blood, sweat and tears it takes to produce original circus on Cape Cod.

5:30pm Final performance of "Overboard! A Circus at Sea"***
After an amazing summer under the big top tent in Wellfleet, the Cirque by the Sea team will take their final sea-circus voyage of the season in "Overboard"

6:30pm Consider "The Ancient Roots of Juggling" with Thom Wall, as he begs the question: Where does juggling come from? Or how about acrobatics? In his talk, Thom Wall (Cirque du Soleil, author of Juggling: From Antiquity to the Middle Ages) uncovers the ancient origins of what are considered "modern" circus techniques while discussing manipulation techniques, the challenges in uncovering ancient performing arts, and more. Following the talk, join Thom and the Cirque by the Sea team for a reception to close out the season.

Dates: November 9 - 10, 2024

Location: Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater - 2357 Old Route 6 Road Wellfleet, MA 02667

***Ticket required, purchase online in advance or at the door.

Click Here to Buy Tickets and for more information.