Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Andre McClain didn't always want to be a circus ringmaster.
In fact, McClain grew up dreaming of becoming a rodeo star riding bulls and bucking horses. But after 10 years of rodeo, McClain took an opportunity that would change his life — he tried out for a position as a circus performer.
"I had never been to the circus in my life," McClain said. "All these guys are generation circus performers. That is their lifetime profession."
McClain said that he grew up around horses and he loved the idea of being able to work in an equestrian field. He bought books and videos and taught himself how to do rope tricks with horses.
Then, when he heard about a job interview in Austin, Texas, he drove down from Oklahoma to try out for the part. However, on his way there his trailer broke down and he wasn't able to bring his horses for the interview. However, McClain was born with the attitude that "the show must go on" and he went to the interview anyway.
"I walked right into the room and got up on the stage, and I said ‘Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the greatest show on earth. And meet my amazing invisible horse, Joanna!' " McClain said. "I was hired right on the spot."
Now 11 years later, McClain has worked up to becoming the first singing equestrian ringmaster in over 100 years for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus group was established 143 years ago, and McClain said their "city without a zipcode" now travels to over 17 countries to perform.
The "huge family" consists of over 300 people, 16 dogs, 20 ferrets, three snakes, seven rabbits, 18 tigers and 20 horses. The group lives and travels on a 1.5 mile long, privately-owned train.
- Over 300 people
- 16 dogs
- 20 ferrets
- 3 snakes
- 7 rabbits
- 18 tigers
- 20 horses
"We get to see different areas that no one else does by traveling on the train," McClain said.
McClain said he met his wife working with the circus. She was one of his backup singer/dancers for his performance, and the couple is close to celebrating their first anniversary.
However, McClain said that whether a spouse and family work for the circus or not, they travel with the group.
"One of the performing couples have a 14-year-old daughter, and she does school on the train," he said. "Most people don't understand that families travel with the show. We have school teachers and nursery staff on the train. There are over 20 or 30 kids that travel with the show — they are learning as the next generation of performers."
McClain said that he loves all the traveling because he loves trying the different varieties of foods.
"We have chefs that order local ingredients in each city and they cook local dishes in the ‘pie cart' on the train," he said.
However, McClain said the thing he loves the most about the circus life is the crowd.
"I love seeing the joy we put on kids and adults faces," he said. "It is for kids of all ages. I love to save the day from the everyday, and turn your day completely around."
The "Built to Amaze" Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus performance began Thursday in Salt Lake City at the EnergySolutions Arena and will continue until Monday. To buy tickets, click here.
