A student has started his own circus at the University.

Logan Jacot is a sophomore who left home at age 14 to join the circus. When he came to Bowling Green, he found some students were interested in learning how to do tricks, so he decided to start Circus Vera.

Circus Vera is made up of six students and a stage manager. Jacot is also teaching his skills to 30 other students who are not part of the circus.

The group has been performing since April, and performs one to two events per month. They perform at festivals and independent shows, Jacot said, and each show is different. He also can get help from people he worked with in his past circus days.

‘We custom the show for whoever is our sponsor,’ Jacot said. ‘I can go out and get acts from elsewhere if needed.’

Jacot said he has big plans for Circus Vera. A six-week tour is planned for the summer, and he said he would eventually like the show to grow into a full nine month-run circus and become self-sustaining.

The show is also socially active. Currently, they are sponsored by the American Humane Association, and together they promote child welfare.

‘Children are the heart of the circus,’ Jacot said.

Jacot is also currently laying the groundwork to go to Israel to perform, teach children and promote peace. Eventually, he said he also wants to go to places like Darfur and Afghanistan.

‘[The] circus is a universal language,’ he said.

Arts Village Director Gordon Ricketts helped Jacot make Circus Vera a reality.

‘I immediately got excited about the circus being a part of the Arts Village,’ he said. ‘I didn’t realize how far he would take it.’

The Arts Village has helped support the circus financially, with props and costumes, and they have also helped build props.

But that is not the only role Ricketts has played.

‘My biggest help was that I have been really supportive,’ he said.

This group has generated interest from some students on campus. Senior Meridith Whitsel said she likes the idea.

‘I would definitely be interested in seeing a circus on campus.,’ she said. ‘We have nothing like that here. It’s completely unique and original.’

Circus Vera’s next performance will be in the homecoming parade. There will also be a performance at the Offenhauer Towers in the future.