Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey
Paul Miller & Circus Mojo Are Changing Lives Through Smiles
Paul Miller of Circus Mojo with a student at Williamstown Elementary School
His Park Hills neighbors know him as Paul Miller, the family man. But to the greater Tri-State region and in circus circles across the country and abroad, Paul is the former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown who is inspiring people of all ages, abilities and life circumstances to focus on their strengths through circus arts. Paul’s company – Ludlow based Circus Mojo – touches lives in hospitals, boardrooms, workshops, entertainment venues and in their own performance theatre.
Every day is a new opportunity for Paul and his team to foster teamwork, teach life and motor skills, and even encourage youth to stay in school on a path toward their own success.
The picture on the left speaks volumes for the impact of Paul on those whose lives he touches.
Through the Social Circus Foundation’s Circus Scholastic Program, every Tuesday and Wednesday children from low income families attending Ludlow Elementary School and the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky participate in the afterschool program that includes healthy snacks, homework assistance, and an hour of learning through confidence-building circus skills activities.
Jesse Knuckles, recreation therapist at the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky, spoke with me about Paul’s impact. This is what he had to say: “In regards to a young man who attended the Circus Mojo group I just recently told another staff member, ‘if Paul Miller was this young man’s therapist we would have had a breakthrough years ago’. I have heard direct quotes from young people participating in Circus Mojo’s Circus Wellness program such as, ‘this is better than being high on drugs’ and ‘I have had a terrible day all I want to do is go to Circus group so I can forget about it all and feel better’.
“Circus Mojo gives our 18 residents something to look forward to each week. The residents here at Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky truly enjoy their time at Circus Mojo. As the Recreation Therapist I enjoy the life lessons and therapeutic value of Circus Mojo. The Circus Wellness program combines physical skills with creative expression to address psychotherapy and personal growth goals including teamwork, leadership, cooperation, trust building, building relationships, self-esteem, coordination, gross & fine motor skills, and focus. I guess you can say we are clowning around for a purpose”
Young people with or without parents participate in a variety of Circus Mojo workshops and classes, and the Social Circus Fund provides scholarship assistance to those who cannot afford the cost.
And recently, Circus Mojo took local students on a campus tour of Illinois State University (home of the oldest collegiate circus in the United States).
Some career options that use circus skills including becoming certified as a circus wellness specialist to work in m
Trapeze artists Duo Rose will be performing at Circus Mojoedical settings, being an entertainer or speaker, doing social work; and even using the leadership and teamwork skills to being an effective manager or any other career choice.
Speaking of college, May 16 to 18 is Circus Mojo’s second annual International College Circus Festival – a three day event aimed at encouraging young adults to pursue their passion. Circus artists (professional and students) from the United States and across the globe are coming to lead workshops, network, discuss employment and volunteer opportunities, AND participate in a fabulous family-friendly show on Saturday night.
Among the highlights of the show will be beautiful trapeze artists, Duo Rose, winners of 12 international awards. The Show will begin at 8:00 p.m. on May 17 at Circus Mojo (322 Elm Street, Ludlow, Kentucky; 41016). Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children under 12; and $25 for VIP tickets. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Social Circus Fund, a nonprofit foundation that is the clearinghouse for scholarships and to educate and study the application of circus for social change and in medical settings.
Please visit Circus Mojo’s website to learn more at http://www.CircusMojo.com
About the Social Circus Foundation:
The Social Circus Fund is a new nonprofit whose focus is on using the circus as tools to work with underserved populations for social change and in medical settings.
It has three main programs:
1- Approximately one-third (1/3) of the Foundation’s attention will be focused on using circus to improve the lives of the mentally and physically disabled.
2- Another approximately one-third (1/3) of the Foundation’s attention will be focused on vocational training. The Foundation will provide job training and skill sets focused on the circus industry to the underprivileged in an effort to give them the tools they need to sustain livelihood and be productive members of society.
3- The remaining one-third (1/3) of the Foundation’s attention will be focused on education. Specifically, the foundation will study the impact of social circus in medical settings and as a tool for social change. The data collected will be used to study impact of circus on an individual’s mental and physical health, and to support social circus work in group homes, detention centers, and medical facilities.
Paul Miller And Circus Mojo Inspire Potential
Note: Do you have children who want to learn circus arts? At the bottom of this post, learn how they can!
One of my favorite movies of all times has got to be Patch Adams – the beautiful true story of a man impassioned since early adulthood to dedicating his entire life toward spreading joy and laughter and love and kindness.
As a doctor, his greater purpose isn’t about prolonging death with medical treatment, but about promoting quality of life. In the movie, we saw Robin Williams (playing the role of Patch) dress as a clown and transform gloom into smiles, anxiety into joy.
“Celebrate that you have the ability to step out of yourself and the opportunity to give yourself to others and the world,” the real Patch just wrote on his Facebook page.
And so, when Paul Hallinan Miller aka Pauly the Clown first showed me a video story about his work with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, I knew this was a man and a passion in which I believed. In the little bit of time that I’ve been working with him in a PR capacity, I can see how much his work means to Paul and how much he wants to make a difference through his skills.
The Bigger Story
Paul was in his final year of college in 1996 when he dropped out to become a clown. He did ultimately return and got his theatre degree but not before a stint with Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey.
These days Paul and his team at Ludlow-based Circus Mojo are all about bringing out the best in people through circus arts. Their classes, workshops,
performances, and other programs have inspired children of all backgrounds, seniors, sports teams, corporate executives, people with disabilities, doctors, and hospitalized kids.
“In a hospital, giving kids some skills to take home besides their cast or their prescription or their scar is really important. It’s about giving the kids something to celebrate,” Paul said of his Circus Wellness Therapy that takes medical clowning to hospitals including Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital.
Other programs of Circus Mojo for diverse populations include:
CircAbility empowers people who have physical, mental and behavior disabilities to discover and strengthen skills and build self-confidence.
Circus Scholastics, largely funded by The Fischer Family Foundation, is a unique after-school tutoring program combining circus skills and homework.
Circus Wellness has performed at a center that serves people who are blind, in a juvenile detention center, for grief counseling, and others.
Work Your Mojo corporate programs foster team building, trust and confidence.
Under the Big Top
Built in 1946, the Ludlow Theatre was vacant for years when Paul acquired it and is continuing to renovate it. Immediate plans for the facility include expanding the seating capacity, installing a restaurant and bar, and developing its very own in-house circus production group. In addition to programming an array of music and entertainment (jazz, folk, rock, dance, comedy, improvisation, etc), the restaurant will offer brick-oven pizzas, the bar will specialize in independent micro brews, and the in-house production group will produce regular circus performances and a touring show.
Mark Your Calendars!
To purchase tickets for all events of Circus Mojo, please visit www.LudlowTheatre.com. You can also purchase tickets at the door. Ludlow Theatre is located at 322 Elm Street; Ludlow, Kentucky, 41016).
October 27
MojoWeen Haunted Circus
Calling all kids and kids at 
heart. Have you ever wanted to be a circus hula hooper, juggler, aerialist, or plate spinner? How about learning how to be a circus clown just in time for Halloween?
Circus Mojo’s MojoWeen Haunted Circus will feature an action packed performance fit for the Big Tent. Immediately following the show will be a fun, interactive workshop so can-do attitudes and gym shoes are recommended! It all begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 27 at the new performance hall of Circus Mojo – the Ludlow Theatre. (322 Elm Street; Ludlow, KY 41016).
Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. (Adults 18 and over do the Thriller dance can also receive a free admission ticket to the Coulrophobia ball later that night – a $20 value.)
October 27 at 8 p.m.
Coulrophobia ‘Fear of the Clowns’ Ball
Just in time for Halloween, Circus Mojo is hosting Greater Cincinnati’s newest, spookiest, scariest circus event for adults with live music, unusual locally brewed beers, and of course – daring acts sure to amaze. Cost for the event is $20 per person.
Featured at the Coulrophobia Ball will be music from hailed Celtic folk metal band Winterhymn while performers will inspire with aerial acts, balls, wheels, and comedy. Those who dare come in costume are to be forewarned – the scariest clown guest will go home with a cash prize.
Proceeds from both of these events will support research on the impact of circus arts for people with disabilities and underserved youth.
There are other big events in November. Please check the Ludlow Theatre web site to learn more.
Win Tickets To MojoWeen!
I’ve got two groups of 4 kids tickets plus and adult kid-at-heart ticket to give-a-way. I’ll be drawing a name on Wednesday, October 24, at 4:30 p.m. To enter:
1. Simply tell me why your child or children love the circus as a comment below or message me (note that your comment may be used on Facebook)
2. Hang out with me on my Good Things Going Around Facebook page
2. Hang out with Circus Mojo on their Facebook page
3. Repin this contest image on Pinterest. Click on the photo for the link.
