Circus Harmony, St. Louis’ only social circus and circus school, created Peace Through Pyramids, a performance arts initiative teaching youth of all races that cooperation, communication and standing on the shoulders of each other are keys to the path of peace.
During the beginning of the unrest in Ferguson following the shooting death of Michael Brown, executive and artistic director of Circus Harmony, Jessica Hentoff, said that Circus Harmony’s central office was near much of the unrest. Compelled to help with rebuilding relationships in the area, Hentoff created Peace Through Pyramids for students in Ferguson to collaborate with students from the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School.
“We’re always teaching our students they have the power to make a difference in the world, and that can be as small as reaching out and making a friend,” said Cheryl Maayan, head of the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School. “Circus Harmony has made it possible for our Jewish students to reach out to students from Ferguson and form relationships.”
Typically, Circus Harmony’s performances are held at the City Museum in downtown St. Louis. This year, Peace Through Pyramids performances are also being held at the Ferguson Municipal Public Library. Hentoff said the organization chose to have a performance at Ferguson Library because when most other activities for children were canceled, the library remained open.
“Anything that helps people of our community get better is good,” said Scott Bonner, director of the Ferguson Municipal Public Library. “We are seeing that in these kids every day.”
“Circus Harmony has given us the opportunity to do something really unusual with the arts,” Maayan explained. “We are so lucky that they are able to pull together these kids. It’s nothing short of miraculous.”
Related Events:
Circus Harmony Presents Peace Through Pyramids: Ferguson
- When: Sunday, May 17, 4 p.m.
- Where: City Museum's 3rd Floor Circus Ring, 750 North 16th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
Circus Harmony Presents Peace Through Pyramids: Ferguson
- When: Monday, May 18, 7 p.m.
- Where: Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, Creve Coeur, MO 63146
Circus Harmony Presents Peace Through Pyramids: Ferguson
- When: Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m.
- Where: Ferguson Public Library, 35 N. Florissant Road, Ferguson, MO 63135
- More information
“Cityscape” is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and sponsored in part by the Missouri Arts Council, the Regional Arts Commission, and the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.
