Members of the Big Apple Circus perform under the big top tent of the Big Apple Circus on November 9, 2025 in New York City. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com

Learning to clown around

Brett Alters. Californian. Studied musical theater at Tisch, saw Cirque du Soleil, loved improv, got hooked, “auditioned in my 20s, got accepted and as the son of a psychiatrist, whatever he did came to mind.

“Maybe that’s why I became a clown. Now in my 40s I’m ringmaster of the 48th season of the Big Apple Circus .

“The lifestyle? Double-wide trailer with two slide-outs. Positioned between the Met and NYC Ballet. The heart of Lincoln Center and plenty of good restaurants. Can be a dream but there’s tons of sacrifices. I don’t have to find a grocery store. We have families and must negotiate that. The

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