A-D
E-J K-Q
R
S T
U
V X
Y
Z
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R IS FOR...
Red and Blue units
–Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® has two separate circus shows. Each
show has different performers; if you saw the Blue show in New York one year,
you would see the Red show the following year
riggers
–circus workers who set up all of the ropes and wires needed in the show
rigging
–the apparatus used in high wire or aerial acts
ring
–a circular section of the arena where circus acts are performed; Ringling
Bros. is famous for its three rings measuring 42 ft. in diameter
ring curb
–curved wooden sections that fit together to form the circus rings
Ringling Brothers
–the famous group of 5 brothers who created their own circus and later
purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907
Ringmaster
–the person who announces the circus acts
Rice, Dan
–the image of Uncle Sam is modeled after this famous clown
Ricketts, John B.
–he presented the first circus in America; President George Washington attended
Risley act
–acrobats who lie on their backs while juggling objects with their feet
Roman riding
–a rider standing on the backs of two horses
rosinback
–a large horse used for bareback riding
roustabout
–a circus workman, laborer
routine–the order of movements in an act
S IS FOR...
"sitting with the elephants"
–this is when the elephant trainers sit and watch the elephants relax and play
somersault
–an acrobat feat performed by turning the heels over the head
spec
–short for “spectacle,” a colorful pageant that includes animals, performers,
props and floats and is performed before the intermission
stable
–backstage area where horses and other animals are housed
stand
–any town where the circus plays
stunt
–a daring act that takes courage and skill
sweetfeed–nourishing blend of grains fed to horses and other vegetarian
animals
T IS FOR...
tail up
–command to an elephant to follow in line
teeterboard
–similar to a seesaw, used in acrobatic acts
Thumb, General Tom
–25-inch-tall midget who charmed circus audiences during the mid 1800s
tiger
–large black and tawny striped cat
train
–P.T. Barnum used a train to move the circus from town to town; each Ringling
Bros. circus train has about 53 cars
trainers
–professionals hired by the circus to work with the animals
trampoline
–spring-like apparatus on which acrobats jump, bounce and tumble
troupe
–a group of circus performers that work together in one act
trunk up
–command to elephants to raise their trunks in a salute
turnaway–a sold-out performance
U IS FOR...
under the Big Top
–a tent where the early circus acts were performed
usher–person who helps you find your seat in the arena
V IS FOR...
vendor
–person who sells programs, snacks and souvenirs
veterinarian–an animal doctor; Ringling Bros. has staff veterinarians
available to all shows
W IS FOR...
walkaround
–clown number in which clowns perform sight gags while continually moving
around the hippodrome track
wardrobe
–the costumes worn by performers
whiteface clown
–this clown's face is mostly white, tends to be more serious, and dresses
neatly
winter quarters–the home of the circus when it is not traveling; where
the shows are staged
X,Y & Z
Zany–another word for clown