Crew members of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus are getting ready to start the show in our area.
After 16 hours of loading in comes something at the Wachovia Arena that you normally don't get to see before the circus starts; the rehearsals to make sure everyone's on the right foot or hoof.
You'll see animals of all stripes when the show starts at 7 p.m. Thursday.
This year's Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is dubbed "Zing Zang Zoom" and promises to feature a theme that's never been done in the show's 139 years.
"This is the very first time they ever themed a circus around magic and illusion," said Ringmaster Alex Ramon.
In between our cameras catching magician Ramon running rings around our imaginations and contortionists bending over backward prepared to wow the crowd Newswatch 16 was granted exclusive backstage access.
That's where the crew stores all sorts of stuff like costumes for the cast and with a crazy clan of 300, that means lots of laundry. Try four washers and four driers that run almost around the clock.
"If something happens and we spill coffee our something on our costume we can get it cleaned," said performer Ivan Vargas.
While the 96 performers practice, the circus sets up a school and nursery for their children.
"For the little ones. They're looked after while mom and dad are walking the high wire," said associate production manager Sean Davis.
Another backstage tidbit we learned is that the show goes through 15 pounds of makeup a year.
The circus runs Thursday night through Sunday.
After 16 hours of loading in comes something at the Wachovia Arena that you normally don't get to see before the circus starts; the rehearsals to make sure everyone's on the right foot or hoof.
You'll see animals of all stripes when the show starts at 7 p.m. Thursday.
This year's Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is dubbed "Zing Zang Zoom" and promises to feature a theme that's never been done in the show's 139 years.
"This is the very first time they ever themed a circus around magic and illusion," said Ringmaster Alex Ramon.
In between our cameras catching magician Ramon running rings around our imaginations and contortionists bending over backward prepared to wow the crowd Newswatch 16 was granted exclusive backstage access.
That's where the crew stores all sorts of stuff like costumes for the cast and with a crazy clan of 300, that means lots of laundry. Try four washers and four driers that run almost around the clock.
"If something happens and we spill coffee our something on our costume we can get it cleaned," said performer Ivan Vargas.
While the 96 performers practice, the circus sets up a school and nursery for their children.
"For the little ones. They're looked after while mom and dad are walking the high wire," said associate production manager Sean Davis.
Another backstage tidbit we learned is that the show goes through 15 pounds of makeup a year.
The circus runs Thursday night through Sunday.
