Co-Owner Timea Zimmerman Shares Memories About Ringling!
With the announcement of The Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, closing its doors in May 2017, we thought it would be a good time to celebrate the immense amount of enjoyment it has brought the world! In the next couple of weeks, we will be interviewing performers who have worked for the Ringling Bros Circus. They will reflect on the good it has brought them and what the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has contributed to the future of Circus Arts!
Long live the circus!
Next up in our series of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performers is Timea Zimmerman. This one is super special to us! Timea is a co-owner, with her husband, of Fight or Flight Productions! Timea & Todd took everything they learned from Ringling and put it to work to create all the wonderful things we have today! Thank you, Timea!
Q: What is your name?
A: Timea Zimmerman
Q: When were you with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus?
A: 1999-2002
Q: What did you do with Ringling?
A: I was an acrobat and a dancer.
Q: If you are not with Ringling anymore, what are you doing now?
A: I perform in various theme parks and own/manage our own production company, providing performers and producing shows for a variety of venues (from theme parks to conventions to special events).
...I am going to step in here. Timea actually manages 4 production companies, all of which provide different types of entertainment, ranging from water-shooting living statues to comical theatre shows!
Q: What was your most memorable moment with Ringling?
A: The size of the crowds was amazing. Performing in an arena after being used to performing for smaller audiences was overwhelming. I loved performing with the elephants. Other than performing, travelling on the train is one of the best experiences I ever had!
Q: Is there anything special that you carry on with you from Ringling?
A: I grew up dreaming of being part of Ringling one day. My mother was an acrobat with the show from 1974 through 1976. I heard so many stories and lived through all her beautiful photos. So it was a dream come true when I got to join. Ringling is where I met my Husband and started our family. It is also where I learned what an amazing community circus people have. The friendships we've created are like family and have been long lasting.
Q: When you watch the show, what is your favorite part?
A: I love watching the acrobats and funny clowns. I also love when I get to see a new apparatus or some cool new tricks.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to say about Ringling?
A: I am beyond saddened that my children will never have the chance to be a part of Ringling or go see their shows again. Ringling has brought so much joy, wonder and amazment to children of all ages and to know that we will not have that anymore is heartbreaking. I do hope that people in the future will continue to love and support the circus arts in any form they can.
A HUGE thank you goes out to Timea! The thank you is not just for talking to us, but for all the wisdom you have brought to us from The Greatest Show on Earth!
Is there something you want former performers from Ringling Bros. to answer?! Leave a comment below!
Get your tickets for the remaining Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey shows here!
