Sat, June 13 – Sat, August 8 | $20 Adults / $15 Child (12 yrs and under)
Plus, add Admission to the Circus Museum for only $5! Admission to the Historic Circus Galleries and the Tibbals Learning Center is only an additional $5 with your Summer Circus performance ticket! Tickets may be purchased at Admissions on the day of your show.
Show times: Tuesday – Friday @ 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Saturdays @ 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Ashley Vargas | Ringmaster
As master of ceremonies for Summer Circus Spectacular 2026, Ashley Vargas introduces a new show format to the Historic Asolo Theater. From a strong background in circus production, she went on to perform for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey for years before touring the world, performing in shows like Gebruder Knie, Schweizer National Circus in Switzerland, Circus Nikulin in Moscow, Russia, Circ Historic Raluy in Catalonia, Spain, and Werldkerst Circus in the Netherlands. Then Ashley won over Suncoast audiences as a comedic performer in Circus Sarasota, working alongside Davis Vassallo.
Davis Vassallo | Clowning and Slack Wire
A third-generation clown, Davis Vassallo returns to entertain Sarasota as only he can!He learned to walk on a slack rope, play musical instruments, and do somersaults from his father, eventually performing in his family circus. At fifteen, he performed in England with the Billy Smart Circus, then in the fascinating old-style circus Il Florilegio. He has recently worked at Cirkus Arnardo in Norway, as well as on circuses and television shows in Belgium, Germany and Italy. As a child, Vassallo dreamed of working in the ring, being as funny as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton or the Italian master of comedy, Totò. He says, “I’m happy to be a clown! Clowning is fun, it’s a privilege, it’s a dream. And the dream is the most beautiful job in the world.”
Noel Aguilar | Juggling
Noel Aguilar debuts a thrilling new take on his world-famous juggling act at the Summer Circus Spectacular! A talented performer hailing from a multi-generational circus family in Mexico, he was introduced to the art of juggling at a young age by his father, a skilled juggler himself. Noel quickly developed a passion for juggling and honed his skills, winning multiple awards for his juggling act, including the prestigious Clown Award for the New Generation presented by the royal family of Monte Carlo. He has taken his fun, energetic, and charismatic performances to shows, theaters, and circuses around the world. Whether he’s performing in a circus tent or on a grand stage, Noel never fails to dazzle his audience with his incredible performances.
Emma Grace Clarke | Aerial Spiral
For the first time on the Historic Asolo stage, Emma Grace will present breathtaking aerial artistry on the Spiral. Blending grace and strength in a performance that will showcase both the beauty and power of contemporary circus arts. Emma is accomplished in multiple aerial disciplines. She began training at the age of six, graduating from the Sailor Circus Academy and Sarasota High School’s Circus Arts magnet program. At 11 years old, she was the youngest circus performer at the 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival celebrating Circus Arts on the National Mall in Washington DC, performing for more than 1 million visitors. She launched her professional career in 2023, performing across the United States and as a featured solo aerialist in the first two years of Nik Wallenda’s Wonderland. Most recently, Emma joined the world-renowned Flying Caballeros, considered the world’s best flying trapeze troupe, winning top honors at international circus competitions, including the prestigious Golden Clown award at the 2025 Monte Carlo International Circus Festival. She performed with The Flying Caballero at the 25/26 Werldkerst Circus at the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam and continues to work with them internationally.
Duo Transcend | Duo Roller Skating and Duo Trapeze
Multi-talented circus artists Mary Wolfe-Nielsen and Tyce Nielsen, aka Duo Transcend, perform two stunning acts in the Summer Circus Spectacular. Tyce comes from a background in sports and daredevil high-diving from heights of up to 80 feet into a small 8-foot tank. Mary was a professional ballerina and aerial acrobat. The married couple from Salt Lake City, Utah also perform aerial silk, tramp wall, diving, and acting. Best known from America’s Got Talent Season 13, Duo Transcend have also performed for Cirque du Soleil, done halftime events for the LA Lakers and the Houston Rockets, and also appeared on MTV’s show Amazingness, Das Supertalent, The Great American Variety Show, and Cirque Adrenaline. Their edge-of-your-seat, thrilling acrobatic moves.
Yelitza Vivas | Hand Balancing
Yelitza Vivas embodies a legacy of seven generations of circus artists through her hand-balancing act. She grew up in her grandparents’ circus in Mexico, surrounded by the art, discipline, and tradition of the circus world. Since childhood, she trained for acrobatics, flexibility, and balance, and began professional training in hand balancing at the age of fourteen, developing an elegant style combined with strong technical ability. She has also performed in her family’s traditional Icarian Games act, and in major productions and international shows, including Barley Circus, Cirque Musica USA, theCircus of La Chola Chabuca in Lima, Peru, and the Atayde Circus in Mexico, as well as performances alongside the Charleston Philharmonic and the Orlando Philharmonic, and she was featured in the 500 Years Festival in Tlaxcala, Mexico.
