Founded in 1947 by Jack Haskin, the Florida State University “Flying High” Circus is an extra-curricular activity under the Division for Student Affairs. It was and still is an activity for men and women students to participate in jointly. The only requirement to be a member of the FSU Circus is that one must be a degree-seeking student registered at Florida State University.

Rivaling any professional circus, the FSU Circus is primarily an aerial and stage presentation with three rings of spellbinding entertainment for everyone. Unlike professional circuses, “Flying High” has no animal acts and the students act as their own riggers and sew their own costumes. They have appeared in Europe, Canada, the Bahamas, the West Indies and possibly your hometown. With 18-22 circus acts taught on the ground or in the air, we can find a place for everyone.

A one-semester hour Circus Activities course is offered which includes the basics of juggling, walking the high wire, aerial ballet, and rigging to introduce the Circus through the College of Education/Physical Education department, however, this course is not mandatory. We have many “walk-ons” with only an interest in becoming involved, without needing the credit hour. The majority of our student performers continue to pursue a career in the discipline from which they graduate. Only a small percentage of our performers seek a professional circus career.

The Florida State University Circus generates its own revenue by hosting shows each April on the FSU campus under its own Big Top circus tent; by directing a summer recreation program at Callaway Gardens, a resort in Georgia; and by performing for various sponsors throughout the southeastern United States. For more information on show times, fees, or bookings, feel free to contact us at (850) 644-4874.

The Florida State University Circus is widely recognized. It was selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for 1989,1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. A City of Tallahassee proclamation stated: “Each year the Flying High Circus produces a championship show.” The State of Florida presented a concurrent resolution in 1973 to “…commend the FSU Circus for their achievement in captivating audiences the world over.” In late 1981, Jerry Collins (long time circus owner), donated the Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Circus to Florida State University citing the University’s long circus tradition and the “Flying High” Circus as “the best in the world.” His reason for the gift was “to benefit people of all ages, to preserve the circus for the children and to help the students at FSU.” The proceeds from the sale of this gift to the operating manager resulted in an endowed Eminent Scholar’s Chair in Public Administration for the FSU Business School.

We invite you to catch a GOLDEN tradition at Florida State University: THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY “FLYING HIGH” CIRCUS – THE GREATEST COLLEGIATE SHOW ON EARTH!