Shoestring Circus returns to Olympia this summer with “Dreamland,” an all-new theatrical circus experience blending high-level contemporary circus, live music, comedy, puppetry, and storytelling beneath the company’s vintage big top tent.
Following sold out performances in previous seasons, the independently owned Washington-based circus will once again transform Olympia into a surreal world of strange characters, dazzling acrobatics, and intimate spectacle, the company said in a news release.
The all-new production combines circus arts, physical theater, original music, comedy, and visual storytelling into an immersive experience filled with absurd humor, handcrafted artistry and dreamlike imagery.
Founded in the Pacific Northwest, Shoestring Circus has built a reputation for creating intimate circus experiences that combine old-world tented circus aesthetics with modern theatrical storytelling.
The production is staged beneath the company’s custom vintage-style big top and features handcrafted scenic elements and original design work, and a close-up audience experience that Shoestring Circus said is rarely seen in contemporary touring circuses.
This year’s cast brings together internationally recognized performers from across the circus and theater world.
Featured artists include aerialist and contortionist Ilse Baryshnikov, a graduate of Montréal’s École Nationale de Cirque; award-winning aerial artist Nick Ng, whose career has included Cirque du Soleil’s Messi10 and performances across six continents; and Broadway performer Caroline Kane, whose credits include Water for Elephants along with appearances in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
This production also features the return of actress Britt Lower, known for her starring role in television series Severance. After appearing in person with Shoestring Circus during the company’s 2024 season, Lower returns to Dreamland as a featured voice performer only, continuing the circus’s tradition of surprise guest narrators following last season's vocal ringmaster appearance by Richard Kind.
As part of its continued connection to Olympia’s arts community, Shoestring Circus is also collaborating with Olympia-based puppet theater company String and Shadow, featuring one of their creations woven into the world of Dreamland. The company previously featured String andShadow’s dragon and horse puppets in its 2024 medieval fantasy production.
Beyond the performances themselves, Shoestring Circus continues to prioritize local outreach and community engagement throughout each tour stop, participating in local events and partnering with regional artists and organizations.
During its Olympia run, the circus will also appear at local community events including the Olympia Farmers Market and the Hands On Children’s Museum for a Q&A on June 18.
The big top itself will be located within walking distance from both destinations, helping create a full day experience for visiting families and downtown visitors alike.
The Olympia engagement is presented with support from the Port of Olympia, whose sponsorship has helped bring the production to the waterfront district for the last three years.
Dreamland opens in Olympia June 19 and runs through June 28 beneath the Shoestring Circus big top tent.
Tickets and full show information are available at shoestringcircus.com
