A beloved tradition in the Minneapolis community, the CLWS Circus showcases the talents of middle school students in a dynamic, joyful performance that highlights the power of circus arts education.
This year, City of Lakes Waldorf School proudly presents its 33rd Annual Circus, The Marble Palace, on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Music Box Theatre. Performed by CLWS students in grades 6–8, this year’s production is a spirited circus spectacular and a hilarious homage to vaudeville and the 100 years of variety, laughter, and skill that have graced the very stage where the performance takes place.
Set inside the historic Music Box Theatre itself, The Marble Palace takes audiences on a theatrical journey through the venue’s rich history. Audiences meet Finklestein and Ruben, two vaudeville-era theatre founders who, despite being gone for more than 80 years, still haunt the theatre they opened in 1920. With humor and theatrical flair, they guide the audience through a flip-flapping, toe-tapping journey across the decades, bringing to life the evolution of the theatre and the many forms of entertainment that have filled it over the past century.
Through circus arts, storytelling, and live music, students embody a century of performance, from vaudeville-inspired antics to contemporary theatrical expression, while celebrating the enduring cultural significance of the Music Box Theatre in Minneapolis. From incredible juggling to impressive tumbling to boisterous bumbling, the show transforms the stage into a living timeline of entertainment history.
The show is produced in partnership with Hup (clap) HEY!, founded by former CLWS teachers Jason Burnstein and Elena Orsak. Hup (clap) HEY! brings professional circus expertise and a passion for empowerment, helping students develop essential life skills such as balance, perseverance, hand-eye coordination, resilience, creativity, strength, flexibility, teamwork, and self-confidence. Rooted in the philosophy that “circus fun is for everyone,” the program fosters a joyful, inclusive environment where every student can shine.
Audiences can expect an engaging, high-energy show accompanied by a live band featuring CLWS faculty and community members. With the Music Box Theatre’s vibrant acoustics, families with young children may wish to bring hearing protection.
Event Details:
- What: CLWS 33rd Annual Circus – The Marble Palace
- When: Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25, 2026
- Where: Music Box Theatre, 1407 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN
- Tickets: Advance purchase recommended; performances typically sell out
Concessions will be available before the show and during intermission. House doors open approximately 15 minutes prior to showtime.
Join us as we celebrate our third decade of circus arts at City of Lakes Waldorf School.
For more information buy tickets here!
