Circus Flora Program 2026

14 Circus Flora | 2026 | www.circusflora.org CREATIVE TEAM JACK MARSH | EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Jack Marsh has served in a variety of roles at Circus Flora, beginning in 1986 when he was just two years old: he rode a Clydesdale also named Jack. Marsh has since served the company through his juggling, acrobatics, and creative energy.After working as a corporate attorney in NewYork, Marsh ran away to re-join the circus, inspired to help Circus Flora create new and innovative productions. Marsh served as the Executive Producer of the Big Apple Circus until 2022 and is the Circus Consultant on “Come Alive!” a live immersive production of The Greatest Showman in London, which premiered in 2024. Marsh holds a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University and a J.D. from the University ofWisconsin. GARY “BEAR”WILBUR | TENTMASTER A Saint Louis native who has had a lifelong love of the Circus, Bear fell in love with the Circus Flora tent the first time he saw it and has worked his way up from Ring Crew member to Tentmaster. He is proud to be able to help provide a venue so that the next generation can fall in love with the Circus just as he did. JANINE DEL’ARTE | MUSICAL DIRECTOR, ARRANGER & COMPOSER Janine Del’Arte has played a part in setting the magical atmosphere with music for Circus Flora since 1988. She comes from a family of musicians and has been performing since the age of seven. Janine is a professional woodwind player, producer, and composer. Janine and the Circus Flora band’s “INSIDETHE BIGTOP” is available on Amazon. Her musical credits include Little Richard,The Coasters,The Platters, Shirley Bassey, and she served as composer for the Big Apple Circus, out of NewYork City. JESSE ALFORD | LIGHTING DESIGNER Jesse is the Resident Lighting Designer and Lighting Director at Louisville Ballet, and works as a Freelance Lighting Designer in as much circus, dance, and theatre as he can. He is always delighted to return to Circus Flora, having designed here since 2015. He also regularly designs with Cincinnati Ballet, Kentucky Opera, Kentucky Shakespeare,TheVa VaVixens, Pandora Productions,Westchester Circus Arts, and more.Working primarily in dance, circus, and theatre, Jesse specializes in the moments and productions that happen in between those disciplines. NINA REED | COSTUME DESIGNER A Cum Laude BFA graduate in Costume Design fromWebster University, Nina has designed and built numerous theatre, dance, and circus costumes for the past 30 years. She has patterned and built clothes for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Beginning her professional career as a dancer, Nina has focused her insight on the specialized needs of dance and circus clothes. She has worked with choreographers at SIUE,Webster University,Washington University, COCA, and Alexandra Ballet, among other organizations. Since 2008, she has taken that experience to the next step, designing and building for Circus Flora and truly loving it! Academically, Nina has been an adjunct full professor atWebster University since 1991 and is currently the Costume Shop Manager at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville