The Big Apple Circus has once again pitched its tent at Lincoln Center, capturing the attention of New York's spectacle-seekers with a season that promises to blend time-honored acts with cutting-edge performances—and at the heart of this dazzling display is none other than ringmaster Brett Alters. Having discovered his passion for improv and clowning early on, Alters, a Tisch alum, took his talents to the Circus Sole before ascending to ringmaster status, according to a New York Post interview.
For its 48th season, the Big Apple Circus not only showcases traditional circus fare but astonishes audiences with acts such as the Flying Maluendas, a troupe from Chile poised to execute a rare quadruple somersault—an acrobatic feat not commonly performed for nearly thirty years, which circus founder Paul Binder once completed, AM New York reported. Alters shares that while the trick is not a staple in every performance, it adds an exclusive thrill to the shows in which it appears, adding to the immersive experience that the circus promises each and every spectator, the past successes of the circus alongside its innovative progression has been marked by the presence of Paul Binder himself during the season's opening night.
Beyond orchestrating the seamless flow of the circus acts, Alters' role as ringmaster encompasses adapting to live performance's unpredictable nature and ensuring the safety and coordination of the events; this, while presiding over immersive acts, which might include anything from a child offering a churro to a life-size human catapult launcher. Detailing his daily grind, Alter's lifestyle is one that balances the glamour and grit of circus life—early morning press duties and three shows a day amidst the city's cultural heartbeat, but within the confines of a double-wide trailer living situation that feels both dreamlike and sacrificial, he disclosed to the New York Post.
While the trapeze artists soar high and the strongmen demonstrate their might, Alter's own strength lies in his connection with the audience—fostering an atmosphere of approachability and control; he understands the foundational circus ethos where every member, akin to a collective of specialists at MIT, possess a genius within their specific skill, he presides over these diverse talents with an eye for precision and the occasional need to course-correct mid-performance, acknowledging in an interview with AM New York, “If something is going awry or isn’t typical, it’s Alter’s job to adapt and adjust to the changes.” With tickets starting at $27 and a season that runs until the new year, the Big Apple Circus seems intent on marking its nearly half-century legacy with a show that encapsulates both heart-stopping stunts and moments of heartwarming interactions.
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