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Step 1
Find out what it really means to join the circus. Read "Under the Big Top: A Season with the Circus" by Bruce Feiler. He traveled with the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus as a clown for 8 months. The book gives you a behind-the-scenes look at circus life.
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Step 2
Decide what you want to do when you join the circus. Try different physical activities like acrobatics, juggling and stilt walking. Practice doing a clown act at kids' birthday parties to see if you like it.
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Step 3
Go to a circus school to perfect your clown act or learn acts in high demand like tight-rope walking, breathing fire and flying on the trapeze. Most circus schools are abroad but search the list on DMOZ.org to locate courses in the U.S.
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Step 4
Get creative with your act. Whether you go to a circus school or train with a performer, you'll need to offer something that will draw in crowds.
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Step 5
Practice your act and perfect every small detail. Circus recruiters know what to look for and will eliminate candidates based on small imperfections.
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Step 6
Check out Circusweb.com for a list of circuses. Contact them about joining. Be prepared to send a video of your performance or audition in person.
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Step 7
Consider working behind the scenes. You'll be around the circus folks but won't have to risk injury or the pressures of performing.
