EVENT LOCATION: Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, 2357 Route 6, Wellfleet

Step right up, folks, to Payomet's first annual CIRQUE FEST! To celebrate our Cirque by the Sea team and summer at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, we're inviting you to come out this Veteran's Day weekend to indulge in some family friendly circus fun and help us close out the circus season– including juggling with Trevor, a fun cirque variety show, the world premiere of our short documentary film, A Cirque by the Sea– and a discussion about the history of modern circus.

These are free community events, so bring the fam and join us– it's your last chance of the season!

Registration is not required to attend, however, it is encouraged– please click here to let us know you're gettin' in on the circus fun!


 Sunday, November 10 

🎪 12:30-1:30pm "The Ancient Roots of Juggling" with Thom Wall (FREE) 
Where does juggling come from? Or how about acrobatics? We'll head inside the modern and cozy W.H.A.T. theater for this talk with Thom Wall (Cirque du Soleil, author of Juggling: From Antiquity to the Middle Ages) as he uncovers the ancient origins of what are considered "modern" circus techniques while discussing manipulation techniques, the challenges in uncovering ancient performing arts, and more. 

🎪 1:30-4:30pm Outdoor Juggle Jam (FREE)
(Juggle) Jam out with Cirque by the Sea's talented circus professional, Trevor Pearson. It's fun for the whole family– so all ages and experience levels are welcome and encouraged. Props you might see folks using at juggle jam include: balls, hoops, juggling clubs, diabolos, yo-yos, spinning tops, rings, batons, levi-wands, flower sticks, toy trucks, staves, poi, hats, and more. This is our last Juggle Jam of the season with Trevor, come out and play!

🎪 5:00pm World Premiere of Payomet's short documentary film, "A Cirque by the Sea" (Doors open at 4:30pm) (FREE)
Step inside the world class W.H.A.T. Theater and take a backstage pass inside the labor of love that Payomet proudly calls circus. Learn first hand what it takes our team to conceptualize and create their original productions, annually, from idea, to costumes and props, to dress rehearsal– to showtime..

🎪 5:30pm Final (abridged) live performance of “Overboard! A Circus at Sea”  (FREE)
Last summer, Payomet Cirque by the Sea brought us their original production, “Overboard” about a salty sea captain who has stubbornly fished New England waters the same way for a lifetime. Troubled by dwindling catches, garbage in his nets, and changing oceans, he struggles to make ends meet. In a moment of desperation, he calls out to the ocean for answers. As if in response, a colossal storm strikes his vessel, and the captain plunges into an unforgettable adventure. Following the performance will be an artist Talk Back– then meet the cast and crew in the lobby for a celebration of all-things-circus. 


Payomet Cirque by the Sea programming is presented in partnership with WHAT for Kids and the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, a local nonprofit professional theater company dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the Outer Cape through plays and innovative programming that entertains, inspires, and informs a multi-generational audience.