Western Washington University Circus Club unicycles along through rotating leadership and a lack of space.
At Western, performing arts clubs have a small but dedicated membership.
Corwin Taylor, the Circus Club's lead officer, said the group has been struggling for some time now.
“A lot of our officers are very busy, including myself, and it just means leadership is rotating in and out all the time,” Taylor said. “Honestly, at least for this quarter, I would prefer to give my duties to someone else due to how much else I am dealing with, but I'm the last person who's able to keep the club afloat, so I'm not quitting.”
Ten Asplin, an engineering student at Western, said the Circus Club is a nice break between school and homework.
“I learned how to unicycle in elementary school and I wanted to keep doing that,” Asplin said. “I thought it would be really cool if I could learn how to juggle, because then I could unicycle and juggle at the same time, which would be a fun skill.”
E Fenedick, a member of the Circus Club, brought a dog to life through crafting a pink balloon in his hands.
“I like playing around with the geometry of it, trying to make weird cool shapes,” Fenedick said. “It's like you're trying to manipulate something that really doesn't want to be manipulated.”
Kamarie Chapman, a senior instructor in the College of the Fine and Performing Arts, said she doesn't know if humans can exist without performing arts.
“When those things start to get defunded and there isn't support for people to be able to make a living as artists, artists still prevail,” Chapman said. “They are resilient and they continue to create, despite the fact they are not being funded, despite the fact they are being banned.”
President Donald Trump called for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, which provides millions of dollars each year for institutions across the country.
Taylor said it's been hard to retain club officers due to the time investment, which is four hours a week.
“Our former president really tried to rally for spaces in the rec center or Carver Gym so we had a space with the infrastructure to do aerial silks,” Taylor said. “A lot of people are interested in that, and doing a workshop would get a lot of attendance. Sadly, we just can't do that right now because we can't get the space for it.”
Lucas Sauvageau, a member of the Circus Club, said he got into the circus through theatre.
“Having something that you can actually perform, I find it really entertaining,” Sauvageau said.
Lucas Sauvageau, a Circus Club member, juggles in Red Square at Western Washington University, in Bellingham, Wash on April 25th, 2025. Students like Sauvageau can build their skills at the Circus Club. // Photo by Caitlin Grygorcewicz
Taylor said it is vital to find space to move your body in a way that you love.
“I believe circus arts are just one piece of this incredible tapestry of practices that encompasses humanity's love for existing in our bodies,” Taylor said.
The Circus Club meets on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-6 p.m. in Red Square.
“Show up and give it a try,” Asplin said. “We'll teach you how to juggle. See if it's for you. We have a ton of things to try.”
Circus Club members, from left to right, Ollie Bunson, Corwin Taylor and Lucas Sauvageau juggle in Red Square at Western Washington University, in Bellingham, Wash on April 25th, 2025. In the Circus Club, students can juggle and make connections with their peers. // Photo by Caitlin Grygorcewicz
Adah Bassok (she/her) is a city news reporter for The Front this fall quarter. She was previously a campus life reporter for The Front, and she is a news and editorial journalism major at Western. Outside of the newsroom, you can find her reading and exploring the outdoors. You can reach her at adahbassok.thefront@gmail.com.
