Lone Star Circus

What Lone Star Circus does

Lone Star Circus is a Dallas, Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit circus arts organization founded in 2006 by Fanny Kerwich, an 8th-generation performer from a French circus family. The organization operates through two divisions: a performance arm producing theatrical cirque shows and touring tent productions, and an educational school offering recreational and pre-professional circus training for children and adults in disciplines including aerial silks, lyra, trapeze, juggling, contortion, balancing, Cyr wheel, and fire performance.

The performance arm generates revenue from ticket sales through theatrical productions staged at partner venues (Dallas Children's Theater, Moody Gardens, WaterTower Theatre, Dallas Opera) and touring shows performed under a self-contained 150-seat boutique Big Top tent. The educational school generates revenue from monthly recurring tuition ($80-$180/month across Kids, Team, and Adult programs), seasonal summer camps at $400 per child, private lessons, and special event services including kids birthday parties ($250 starting), corporate team building ($30/person), and custom performances for galas and festivals. As a nonprofit, the organization also depends on individual donations, corporate giving, and grants to subsidize operations. Corporate and institutional partners include Dallas International School, Southern Methodist University, and Magic Moments Parties & Events.

The business model combines transaction-based ticket sales, recurring subscription tuition, professional services fees for private events, and philanthropic contributions. Go-to-market is primarily direct sales via website contact form, email, and phone, supplemented by community outreach, educational partnerships, and earned media. Distribution is anchored by the touring Big Top tent available statewide and nationally, plus a physical school location inside Strong Fitness & Fun in Dallas and an online learning/class management platform (Jackrabbit).

Name

Lone Star Circus

Legal name

Lone Star Circus Arts Center

Website

https://lonestarcircus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lone Star Circus is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that produces touring tent and theatrical cirque performances and runs a circus arts school offering classes, camps, and private events for children, adults, schools, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Circus Entertainment and Circus Arts Education

NAICS

Amusement and Theme Parks (71311), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Circus & Physical Theatre (MPAGABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circus, Magic & Variety Shows (THAJAFAH), Incentive Travel Programs & Retreat Events (Offsites) (MPAGAHAH), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI)

Keywords

• Circus performances
• Live entertainment
• Circus arts education
• Aerial performance training
• Youth circus programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from circus performances including theatrical productions, tent shows, dinner shows, and holiday shows. Performance ticket sales for both public shows and private event bookings.
2. Circus School Tuition: Monthly class fees for kids circus, team circus, and adult classes in various circus disciplines. Also includes summer camp registration fees and private lesson fees.
3. Event Booking Services: Corporate team building events, birthday parties, bachelorette parties, family reunions, and charity fundraisers. Custom circus entertainment services for private events.
4. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Lone Star Circus relies on individual, corporate, and grant donations to supplement revenue from ticket sales and tuition. Donations are tax-deductible and help fund community outreach and scholarship programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lone Star Circus operates a Dallas-based touring 150-seat Big Top and a year-round circus arts school, producing original theatrical cirque performances, tent shows, and virtual circus productions alongside structured training programs for children and adults. The organization's revenue mix spans ticket sales, school tuition, summer camp fees, private party and corporate team-building bookings, and tax-deductible donations as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

Lone Star Circus is a Dallas-based circus arts organization with two main divisions: (1) Lone Star Circus performance arm producing theatrical cirque productions (Cirque Joyeux, Cirque Adventure, Wild West Circus, Frost Circus), tent shows under a 150-seat boutique Big Top (Le Grand Show, Circo Estrella de Dallas), and virtual productions (Circus Aura, Big & Bright); and (2) Lone Star Circus School providing circus education including kids and adult classes, the Elite Program for professional training, Summer Circus Camp, private lessons, and event services (kids parties, adult/corporate events, and custom performances). The organization also offers special event and custom circus performance services for galas, festivals, and corporate events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cirque Joyeux A contemporary circus production emphasizing movement, rhythm, and ensemble performance, designed as a flexible touring show suitable for various audiences and venue types.
• Cirque Adventure A stage show spectacular featuring the story of a young boy searching for adventure who gets captured by pirates and transported into a new land filled with exotic futuristic pirate escapades.
• Wild West Circus A stunning, fearless and funny tent show with a touch of vintage, performed under the 150-seat boutique Big Top.
• Frost Circus A winter circus telling the magical story of Frost, a young boy who dreams of doing extraordinary things and discovers the courage to turn his dreams into reality.
• Le Grand Show A full-length contemporary circus production featuring professional aerial and ground-based circus disciplines, designed for theatres, schools, and civic venues.
• Circo Estrella de Dallas A circus production created to celebrate cultural storytelling through circus arts, suitable for theatres, community events, schools, and civic events.
• Circus Aura A contemporary circus production focused on visual design, movement, and ensemble performance, adaptable for a wide range of venues and audiences.
• Big & Bright A digital circus production created for virtual presentation, featuring professional circus artists and hosted segments for online audiences.
• Lone Star Circus School The premier circus school of Texas providing professional training in circus arts for children and adults, with programs ranging from first-time beginners to professional performers.
• Kids Circus Classes Circus classes for children ages 6-15 covering aerial silks, lyra, trapeze, acrobatics, and contortion with beginner to intermediate skill levels, including dedicated homeschool and special-needs tracks.
• Adult Circus Classes Circus arts instruction for adults covering advanced silks, intermediate/beginner silks, lyra, trapeze, stretch, and open gym sessions, available via monthly membership or drop-in single class.
• Elite Program Professional circus training tracks including Prep-Elite, Pre-Elite, Elite, and Elite Professional programs for students ages 6-18 with varying commitment levels from 4-15 hours per week.
• Summer Circus Camp Day-camp experience for kids ages 6-15 introducing circus arts including aerial silks, aerial ring, trapeze, juggling, contortion, rolla bola, and balancing.
• Kids Circus Parties Two-hour birthday party experience with circus circuit rotation through various circus principles including silks, trapeze, lyra, juggling, and floor play.
• Adult Parties & Corporate Team Building Custom events for adult parties, bachelorette parties, family reunions, and corporate team building with circus arts activities.
• Special Events & Custom Performances Custom circus performances for galas, festivals, corporate events, and public celebrations with various disciplines including aerial, juggling, cyr wheel, fire performance, contortion, and character performers.

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Circus FederationcoreOthersProud member of Circus Federation, an international circus organization. Lone Star Circus upholds the highest international standards of excellence with recognition from respected organizations worldwide.
• Global Alliance of Circus SchoolscoreOthersProud member of Global Alliance of Circus Schools, supporting circus education worldwide.
• American Circus AlliancecoreOthersProud member of American Circus Alliance, supporting circus arts in America.
• American Youth Circus OrganisationcoreOthersProud member of American Youth Circus Organisation, supporting youth circus development.
• American Circus EducatorscoreOthersProud member of American Circus Educators, supporting circus education professionals.
• FEDEC (European Federation of Circus Schools)coreOthersProud member of FEDEC (European Federation of Circus Schools), connecting American circus education to European standards.
• Magic Moments Parties & EventsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLone Star Circus works collaboratively with Magic Moments Parties & Events to provide turnkey event planning experiences for clients seeking comprehensive event management. The partnership ensures cohesive and thoughtful events with attention to detail.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• FEDEC (European Federation of Circus Schools): European federation connecting circus schools. LSC is a member; comparable as a peer network in the international circus education ecosystem.
• American Circus Educators: National professional association for circus arts educators. Lone Star Circus is a member; the organization is comparable as a peer network in the circus education ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Cirque Dreams: Broadway-adjacent theatrical circus producer offering touring productions and resident shows. Comparable to LSC's theatrical productions (Cirque Joyeux, Cirque Adventure) but operates at a larger commercial scale.
• Cirque du Soleil: The world's largest contemporary circus entertainment company with resident and touring shows globally. Comparable to LSC in offering theatrical circus experiences, but vastly larger in scale, audience reach, and production scope.
• Circus Oz: Australian contemporary circus company producing touring tent shows and educational programs. Comparable to LSC's combined performance and education model, though operating at a larger national scale.

Direct peers

• Pickle Family Circus: San Francisco-based circus arts nonprofit combining social circus training with accessible public performances. Comparable to LSC's nonprofit educational mission and street/intimate show formats.
• Teatro ZinZanni: San Francisco-based dinner theater combining circus arts with multi-course dining. Comparable to LSC's dinner shows (e.g., Cirque Joyeux Noel at Moody Gardens) and shared production credits with founder Fanny Kerwich.
• Big Apple Circus: New York-based nonprofit circus offering intimate Big Top shows under a traditional tent. Most directly comparable to LSC in combining a touring tent experience with educational and community programming, though based in the Northeast.
• Circus Smirkus: Vermont-based nonprofit youth circus organization offering touring Big Top shows and an educational program. Comparable to LSC as a nonprofit circus with both a performing arm and a youth training pipeline (similar to LSC's Elite Program).

Emerging players

• Flynn Creek Circus: California-based small touring circus offering intimate Big Top shows with a youth training focus. Comparable in scale and nonprofit-style mission, with similar tent production economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lone-star-circus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lone Star Circus