Circus performances invite audiences to thrill in risk-taking and witness the body achieving near-impossible feats using universal languages of movement and humour. In recent years circus shows have moved from the big top to the main stage and are a feature of many festivals across the world.
Join us for a lively discussion on what makes circus such a compelling choice for both presenters and audiences. A discussion between Emilie Weisse, Artistic Director of Emillie Weisse Circus Theater; Lynn Carroll, CEO of Galway Community Circus; Quim Girón, Director of Animal Religion; Ward Mortier, Co-Founder of Be Flat; chaired by Dr. Ian R. Walsh, Head of Discipline Drama and Theatre Studies, University of Galway.
Emilie Weisse
Born in Paris, Emilie studied at the Rosella Hightower Ballet School in Cannes before joining Jeune Ballet International in 2000. After earning her ballet teacher degree in Paris, she met circus performer Menno Van Dyke, with whom she created Juggling Tango, a fusion of dance and juggling. Since 2007, they have performed worldwide, winning awards in Moscow, Paris and China, and in 2018 received the Oscar Carré Trofee, the highest distinction for circus in the Netherlands. In 2022, Emilie debuted as director with Be Kind, a performance for babies developed with scientists specialized in baby development, which has since toured internationally with more than 180 performances.
Lynn Carroll
Lynn Carroll is CEO of Galway Community Circus and President of the European Youth Circus Organisation (EYCO). A former international performer with companies including Nofit State Circus, she has spent over 40 years shaping circus as both an art form and a tool for education. Lynn helped develop youth and training programmes at leading UK circus centres before bringing her vision to Ireland. She believes circus is for everyone—an accessible, playful, and non-competitive space where young people build skills, confidence, and community. Through teamwork, trust and creativity, Lynn champions circus as a way for young people to truly fly.
Quim Girón
Quim Girón is founder and artistic director of the company Animal Religion. He holds a degree in circus arts from the University of Dance and Circus in Stockholm, where he received the Sophie Hulten’s scholarship for his creativity, risk-taking play, and skills as a circus artist. His work focuses on exploring new languages within contemporary circus.
Notable authored works include:
Sifonòfor – Special City of Barcelona Award (2015) Sifonòfor – BBVA Zirkolika Grand Prize for Best Indoor Circus Show (2015) Chicken Legz – Moritz Award for Best Street and Non-Conventional Show Premiere at Fira Tàrrega (2014) Copiar – FETEN Award for Best Immersive Show (2025).
Ward Mortier
Ward Mortier is a circus artist and director based in Ghent. In 2017, he and fellow circus artist Thomas Decaesstecker co-founded their company Be Flat. Be Flat brings a mix of urban sports, circus and live music to each location they play. As a result, each performance is a unique composition inspired by its location, offering everyone a chance to experience circus from the front row.
Ian Walsh (Chair)
Ian R. Walsh is Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and edited collections. Books include Contemporary Irish Theatre: Histories and Theories (Palgrave, 2024) co-written with Charlotte McIvor and Experimental Irish Theatre: After W.B Yeats (Palgrave, 2012) and edited collections: Cultural Convergence: The Dublin Gate Theatre, 1928-1960 (Palgrave, 2021) and The Theatre of Enda Walsh (Peter Lang, 2019). From 2019-2022 Ian was Principal Investigator (PI) for University of Galway on Circus ++ which developed the first international BA degree in Youth and Social Circus (Erasmus +). From 2019-2023 he was the PI for Wires Crossed: Head, Heart Balance (Creative Europe). In 2024 he co-authored the Circus Trans Formation Advanced Research Report (Erasmus +) on training Circus Trainers. He was Chair of Galway Community Circus from 2022-2024 and is still a board member.