By Gina Martinez
After having to cancel its 2016-2017 season, the Big Apple Circus has filed for bankruptcy. The beloved non-profit circus had focused its efforts on helping young children through entertainment since 1977 with performances in Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows and Lincoln Center in Manhattan.
Besides setting up their red-top tents that seated up to 1,700 for shows, Big Apple brought the circus to more than 250,000 children in hospitals around the country, with its members performing “clown rounds.”
Big Apple announced Monday that the organization decided to file under Chapter 11 for protection from its creditors. The circus intends to continue operating some of its community programs, which may be transferred to other non-profit organizations and sell some of its assets. In the meantime, the circus hopes to be able to restart the one-ring show with new financial support or through the sale of the circus to an interested buyer.
The organization listed $8.3 million in debts and $3.8 million in liabilities.
The circus initially ran into financial trouble in 2008 following the national recession. The circus relied on Wall Street as a benefactor, providing up to $1 million a year in funds for annual corporate entertainment, which helped to keep the circus going. Events like Hurricane Sandy, the Boston Marathon bombing and the Atlanta ice storm kept people from attending shows, lowering ticket sales and enlarging Big Apple’s deficit.
Last summer Big Apple turned to an online campaign to raise some money with donations ranging up to $50,000, and the Big Apple principals also hoped that an emergency fund-raiser would get the attention of big donors. To their surprise, no one stepped up. They raised only $900,000, far short of their $2 million goal, which would have allowed the circus to continue staging its shows in New York City.
The circus was founded by jugglers Paul Binder and Michael Christensen, who brought their act from England to the States. They started the non-profit as a mission to entertain and improve the lives of millions. Throughout the years Big Apple performances presented acrobats, clowns and animal acts that featured dogs and horses instead of the wild tigers and elephants found in most circuses, including Ringling Brothers.
Big Apple Circus Executive Director Will Maitland Weiss is still hopeful that the show will go on.
“We are eternally grateful for the support provided by audiences and donors over almost 40 years,” Weiss said. “And to all of the artists, crew, staff, and Clown Doctors who have provided joy, wonder, and inspiration to so many. Thanks to the amazing board members who are with us still. We are working to ensure that the spirit of the Big Apple Circus will live on.”
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