mission
Spoon Circus spreads the joy of circus arts to all, creating playful, inclusive spaces where creativity thrives, confidence grows, and communities connect.
vision
We embrace a world where both kids and adults redefine success on their own terms, embracing challenges with love, play, and a touch of the sacred silly.
values
At the core of Spoon Circus, we celebrate diversity, gender equality, and inclusion. We prioritize safety and care for all bodies while honoring play and lightness. Movement is a practice that connects us physically and mindfully to the present. Love, compassion, and empathy shape our interactions, and we find strength in discomfort, nurturing personal growth.
Meet The Team
OUR Story
As told by co-founder McKenna Daut
Spoon Circus, a non-profit social circus, was founded with the vision of providing accessible education and fostering creative expression. Early on, I was inspired by inclusive educators who guided me on my path to become an educator. It didn't take long to recognize that, in general, the US education system lacked the adaptability needed to nurture confidence and curiosity. So, I made the decision to leave my teaching profession and embarked on a global journey.
In a tiny Thai village, I had the fortune to meet Ryan Eason, a circus performer and natural ringleader. He encouraged me to participate in his small shows, which eventually grew into Northern Thailand's biggest fire show (which was dubbed Medicine Circus, due to the healing nature it fostered). I fell in love with the art form and pursued a performance career, but I still felt a missing sense of fulfillment.
It was during a tour in India with Performers Without Borders in early 2020 that I found my true appreciation of Social Circus - a path that fosters inclusion, impact, and accessible education. The pandemic brought challenges across the board, but during that time, I was given the opportunity to work and learn as Lead Coach at Circesteem, a Chicago-based social circus.
Ryan unfortunately chose to surrender to his battle with mental health in 2021. At his memorial service, I met his sister, Kati, who kindly offered her support, saying, “If you need anything in the future, reach out. I would love to stay connected.” This event and encounter reignited my connection with my circus family, and gave way to the idea to start a social circus to give back what Ryan gave us. I got in touch with Kati, and she enthusiastically joined the initiative.
Together, we developed the concept and began programming, reaching over 5,400 participants by early 2024. Our programming has run in South East Asia, Western North America, and Western Europe. We have built an organizational structure and initiated fundraising to bring Spoon Circus to life, carrying on Ryan’s legacy and spreading the joy of circus to all.
board members
Our Board follows a Cooperative Model. We’ve removed the hierarchy, making the balance of power equal among all Board members.
Are you passionate about our mission, have resources to spare, and want to join our board? Click the button below to learn more about the expectations and apply!
Our sponsors
