Gamma Phi Circus brought years of fine arts to ISU’s campus
Image courtesy of Gamma Phi Circus
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University’s Gamma Phi Circus was performed the 96 annual home show this weekend. Every show is centered around a theme – this year’s was revealed by Circus Program Director Rainie Themer Bosquet, as well as other elements of the long standing show
“This year’s theme is titled, ‘A Journey Through the Fine Arts,’ and so every single act that we have takes inspiration from a different type of art form or from an artist…” Themer Bosquet said.
Some of the many featured acts included the german wheel, the high wire, juggling, acrobatics, tumbling and several different forms of aerial work.
“Our students put together a full-length professional-level performance that has everything from ground acts to aerial acts,” Themer Bosquet said. “They make their own costumes. They make their own props, so it’s a really big spectacle and is a lot of fun,” said Themer Bosquet.
Gamma Phi Circus traces its roots back to 1929 when Clifford “Pop” Horton, the then head of the physical education department, introduced the idea to campus. Inspired by a similar group he had been part of at another university, Horton launched Gamma Phi as a mens-only gymnastics fraternity with just 22 student members and three honorary faculty participants.
The first official circus performance took place in March 1932 at the old McCormick Gymnasium. The show featured 11 acts, with Gamma Phi in five of them, limited at the time by their small size.
With several circus committees including costume, props and publicity committees, each with their own committee head, six student leaders who help run the circus and several act captains who help create and guide the performed acts, this RSO operates more like a small company.
The circus has now grown to 156 members, with its numbers continuing to increase each year. When asked how the circus has evolved over the years, Themer Bosquet emphasized its continual growth.
“I would say the size and the scale of the circus has really developed over the last 15 years. It has become more of a professional-level production with themes, high level costuming and professional level lighting,” Themer Bosquet said. “It’s really something that when people come and see it for the first time, they leave in awe,” said Themer Bosquet.
Gamma Phi Circus is one of two collegiate circuses in the United States. Themer Bosquet shared the crucial role Gamma Phi Circus plays at Illinois State University and in the Bloomington-Normal community.
“This is an incredibly unique tradition that Illinois State has and it provides us with the opportunity for ISU students to develop physically and mentally through the practice of circus art,” Themer Bosquet said. “Every year we have our big home show in April, but we also do events in the community. We are the main feature of the Sweet Corn Circus Festival that’s held in Uptown Normal every August and we collaborate a lot with the community.”
The theme for the 2026 home show next April is currently in the works. The 100 year anniversary of the home show will take place in 2029, and Gamma Phi Circus is already preparing for a unique anniversary show.
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