BELOW THE BIG TOP
The Culpepper & Merriweather Great Combined Circus is a traditional, nomadic one-ring family circus that lives on the road eight months out of the year.
Following a route through small towns, from the West Coast to mid-America, the close-knit troupe continues the tradition of the traveling circus. Unlike today’s overproduced theatrical mega-circuses, Culpepper & Merriweather brings together small-town communities in village-style events that many families visit year after year. These photographs explore the lives of the performers and the circus community at large, “under the tent” and on the road.
As a Japanese photographer living in America, I am interested in interrogating the cores of both of my cultures – cores that are permanent, unchanging, nostalgic, and in a mysterious way, true. Against the backdrop of our digital age, Culpepper & Merriweather represents an unchanging core in American culture, occupying a nostalgic space that persists alongside the mainstream.
The tent in Pleasantville, Iowa.
David Bastian at the front gate. He started working for the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus about 1985, whenever it came to Wisconsin.
Trapeze artist Miss Simone performs at the Culpepper & Merriweather circus. Also a ring master and unicycle performer, she has been touring with the circus since 2003.
The audience lines up outside the tent in Winneconne, Wisconsin.
Miss Natalie, the ringmaster, watches the performance behind the stage. She also presents her dogs as part of the show.
Leo the Clown prepares for the act in his trailer.
Trapeze artist Miss Simone backstage in Oconto, Wisconsin, 2018.
Miss Paulina puts on makeup and prepares for the act in her trailer.
The circus poster appears on the window of a store in Baxter, Iowa.
Leo the Clown poses for a portrait backstage during the show.
Miss Paulina at her "Big & Little" show. She also performs in a unicycle act with her family as the Arlise Troupe.
Audience during the performance in Winneconne, Wisconsin.
Leo the Clown cheers up the audience between acts. He is one of the most popular performers and also serves as a tour guide during the morning tent raising.
Owner and Big Cat Trainer Trey Key backstage in Oconto, Wisconsin, 2018.
Francis rests in the arena before the show. The circus has three big cats, all born in captivity.
A scene from Winneconne, Wisconsin.
Miss Paulina backstage before her "Big & Little" show.
Miss Natalie backstage between acts.
Miss Georgia (left) and Belgica (right) chat before the show.
The Perez Duo–Romario and his father Mamo–pose for a portrait outside the tent. They present "The Wheel of Destiny".
Trapeze artist Miss Simone backstage.
A night at the circus: the food truck.
Mr. Ron, performer and creator of unicycle stage act "The Arlise Troupe", watches the performance behind the stage. He performs with his three children Simone, Paulina, Noah and his niece Georgia.
Child on a pony outside the tent in Brooklyn, Iowa.
Workers pack up the tent after the show –the circus moves to the next destination.