Photos of the country’s only traveling youth circus

Talented kids. Professional coaches. Life on the road. Adoring 5-year-olds, sitting around the ring just feet from the stars of Circus Smirkus, where big kids have been the stars of the show of this Vermont-based company for 32 years now.
1
Frederick Buford, 13, adjusted his bow tie before performing in Circus Smirkus’ Big Top Tour in the heat of a Hanover, N.H., afternoon. This is Buford’s first season with Circus Smirkus. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
2
The touring troupe is the only traveling youth circus in the United States and has existed for more than 30 years. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
3
Troy Wunderle prepared to welcome the evening crowd to the show. Wunderle is the artistic director of Circus Smirkus. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
4
Eva Lou Rhinelander, 14, bumped Asom Hayman-Jones, 18, while they waited to go on stage. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
5
William Ciardelli (left) and Serafina Walker took a quick break to jump on a trampoline. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
6
Eva Lou Rhinelander (right) performed with other troupers. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
7
Troy Wunderle applied his clown makeup. Wunderle, a former performer in the Ringling Bros. Circus, has been using the same tub of white clown makeup for the past 25 years. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
8
Troupers stretched before they performed. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
9
Troupers performed in Hanover, N.H. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
10
Audience members watched the Big Top Tour. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
11
Troy Wunderle put on his costume as he prepared to wear stilts. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
12
Saan Popovic sat next to Isabella Majzun while she did her makeup. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
13
Ilse Bryan practiced her routine. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
14
Glenn Doyle, 15, of Arlington, Mass., adjusted his tie before performing. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
15
Troy Wunderle touched clown noses with 3-year-old Freddie Reiser while Freddie’s mom, Anna, watched. Freddie’s father used to tour with Circus Smirkus in a band before the couple met. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
16
Troopers practice their routine. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
17
Troupers hugged before they performed. (Erin Clark for The Boston Globe)
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