Lindbergh Field has temporarily become a circus. For the next eight months clowns, acrobats, tight rope walkers and a variety of other performers will fill Terminal 2 of San Diego International Airport.
The circus-in-residence is part of the Performing Arts Residency Program, which launched this year and plans to provide a platform for a variety of performing arts disciplines. This is a new initiative under the art program, which has been functioning in the airport in one way or another for nearly 10 years.
“This is part of our art program that has been in place for quite some time now and in fact is not rare,” said Chris Chalupsky, senior manager of the art program said. “Many airports around the country have similar things going on but I believe we have one of the best programs.”
The Fern Street Circus was selected as the first performance group for the residency program and they will rehearse, perform and entertain those departing from and arriving to Lindbergh Field before security and at baggage claim.
The art program has three components: public art, temporary and rotating exhibits and performing arts. The circus-in-residence, an initiative under the performing arts component and planning, began about a year ago. After a discussion with the Arts Advisory Board, the art program decided to implement a residency program that would diversify the types of performances offered to customers and better serve the local artist community.
“Our mission is to make the airport experience the best it can be for our customers,” Chalupsky said.
About a year ago, a public call was put out for local performing acts to audition for the residency spot. Three finalists were selected and the Fern Street Circus was ultimately chosen.
“The circus stood out to us because of their high impact in a short amount of time,” Chalupsky said. “They have a really quick positive impact, and that’s what we need in this environment.”
According to the San Diego Airport spokesperson Rebecca Bloomfield, the circus began performing in early May and the response to the program has been incredibly positive in both San Diego and around the world.
“Videos of the performers entertaining people while they checked in for their flights went viral,” Chalupsky said. “There was a national and international media response to having events in airports. The best part was the sort of unexpected quizzical smile that cropped up on customers’ faces.”
The Fern Street Circus has committed to one public performance, one open rehearsal and one workshop a week for the next eight months. According to Chalupsky, this program is unique in that it gives customers a glimpse into the creative process of local groups that you would not get at a normal performance all while in line at the airport.
The schedule for the Fern Street Circus performances and other performing art events at the airport can be found at www.san.org/Airport-Art/.