Carly Schuna '06 and others in process of opening a community circus space in Madison, Wis.

The Madison Circus Space (MCS) was established to celebrate, encourage, and spread awareness of circus arts in the Madison area. Scheduled to open in June 2013, the MCS will welcome clubs and classes in addition to providing a practice space for dedicated performers and hobbyists. Juggling, German wheel, stiltwalking, aerial arts, acrobatic yoga, and hoop dancing are just a few of the activities that will take place in the new space. While pursuing nonprofit status, the MCS will hold workshops and events that are open to the community and meant to foster appreciation for the variety of circus-related talent and creativity in Madison.

Madison circus performers and hobbyists have been tossing around the idea of a community circus center for more than a dozen years. Until the MCS came to be, circus arts groups around the city practiced in different locations and rarely had the chance to collaborate or see others' work.

In early summer 2012, Carly Schuna '06 began co-renting the back half of what is the present MCS with her boyfriend, Luke Emery (MCS board President). At that time, the area was a dirty warehouse with a concrete floor and a used car dealership in front. It wasn't a very safe place to practice German wheel, so Carly and Luke began searching for alternate locations. Several circus friends of theirs mentioned how much they would also love to find a space where they could practice their arts. As the discussions grew more detailed, the people involved formed an executive board of directors, named officers, and established the MCS as a Wisconsin non-stock corporation with intention to achieve nonprofit status.

Board members scoped out several potential locations for the MCS, but unique space requirements (a big open area with very high ceilings suited for rigging and a centralized location) made it difficult to find anything fitting and affordable. Most potential landlords also had a lack of understanding and enthusiasm for the project. In early 2013, the used car dealer who had been operating in Carly and Luke's practice space vacated, leaving the entire 4600 sqft warehouse available. It fit all of the board's requirements for a great space, so the MCS signed a four-year lease with Accipiter Properties, who have supported their idea from the beginning.

To prepare the building for opening, the MCS board mobilized about 50 volunteers to clean, paint, and build a sprung wood floor in the space. Collectively, the volunteers contributed more than 400 hours in renovation work.

• Madison Circus Space website: http://madisoncircusspace.com/

• MCS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MadisonCircusSpace

• MCS Twitter account: https://twitter.com/MadCircusSpace