The Circus Lab

The Circus Lab – University of Kentucky (Mothwing Photography)

In 2020, I received funding to create the Circus Lab, an on-campus hub for interdisciplinary research and educational projects involving the circus arts. The Circus Lab currently includes 6 aerial dropline points ready for use with various aerial apparatuses – silks, trapeze, lyra, rope, etc. – as well as an array of mats, juggling props, and other circus equipment.

The Circus Lab currently serves over 250 students each academic year through various educational and research-focused programming centered around embodied learning, health and wellbeing, and building community through creative exploration of the circus arts. As of 2026, the Lab hosts a number of classes and organizations, including my course PHI 193: Circus and Philosophy and the University of Kentucky student-run club, Circus Cats, as well as workshops in collaboration with units across campus such as the Department of Theater and Dance and the Gaines Center for Humanities.

Interested in booking the Circus Lab for a workshop or event? Please contact me at: meg dot wallace at uky dot edu.

PHI 193: Circus and Philosophy

  • “The pairing of philosophy with the circus made the concepts so much more accessible, and fun, to someone like me who does not think in a philosophical way often at all.” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2026
  • “I LOVED learning circus arts! Seriously, can we please add more circus classes? I have loved learning circus arts so much!” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2026
  • “I enjoyed having the readings and discussions on the second day of class rather than the first, which was saved for practical circus skills. I am someone who learns by doing, and engaging the skills and philosophical ideas in the readings allowed me better understanding.” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2026
  • “The most helpful part of this class for me was the reading days on Thursdays. Taking the time to really go over the readings and discuss them in class made the connections between circus and philosophy much clearer and easier to understand. Those days had open discussions that helped break down the big concepts and give us strong, clear tie–ins.” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2026
  • “I was initially mostly just interested in having a fun and easy class that would get me out of my seat. However, as the course went on, I was pushed to think deeply about the role I play in my life and the lives of others, and especially how to face learning new subjects. In particular, this class taught me my limitations in the face of failure, and the way in which and with whom I do things matters.” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2026
  • “This class had a true positive impact on me, not just because I now know how to juggle, but because it gave me understanding and skills in many different areas of my life that I will use in my future to be successful. The value of what I learned is something I did not expect to get out of this class, and it has truly shaped how I approach things like challenges and creativity every day.” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2026
  • “…this class meant a lot more to me than I thought it would or even recognized it did…I learned to be more flexible in my thinking, and ironically, in my joints as well. I discovered an ability to think for myself about how to solve big and small problems. Surprisingly, I even learned that being a juggler really does have something to do with being a good person in that both must be practiced to be achieved, and that perhaps being awesome (or totally sucking) is something I can consciously control. I learned that creativity has epistemic value, which means I can be creative both in an art class, and in the way I approach my STEM degree, cooking, or even in the tried-and-true circus arts, because I am doing something that aides in my own growth and development. These ideas, failure, creativity, and the concept of creating art through physical mediums, body movements, and knowledge, don’t have to stop at the door of the circus lab; they can extend into my daily life, and more importantly, they should.” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2026
  • “Love this class! I have really enjoyed my experience and am privileged to be able to take it! I would love the opportunity to take it at a higher level! I also enjoy the environment of the classroom and like having discussions in here.” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2024
  • “I love the setting of PHI 193. I learned more from a dual approach of reading and performing. The lessons definitely stuck with me more. I read something and applied that idea in the physical sense. There is value to art and creativity outside of an art class…I plan to take this into business and finance. Creativity requires an intentional mindset…I learned so much from this class, and I plan to apply it to the rest of my life.” – Student in PHI 193, Spring 2026
  • “I really really enjoyed this class, not only was it an opportunity to learn more about philosophy but how certain aspects relate to more than just every day life.” – Student in PHI 193, Fall 2021
  • “I think it was a great balance of philosophy and circus acts, the class made me come out of my comfort zone and become more closely acquainted with people I didn’t even know which contributes to UK feeling more like a community rather than a college of hundreds of strange students…” – Student in PHI 193, Fall 2018

This innovative course is ​FULLY participatory. Students don’t just learn about the circus, they learn how to circus. Students learn specific circus skills, such as aerial arts, juggling, or acro-balancing, while investigating various philosophical topics in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and more.

How is juggling like being a good person? What can the trapeze tell us about truth? What does circus have to do with the self? PHI 193: Circus and Philosophy combines physical movement, performance, and the circus arts with philosophical study. Intended for those new to both circus and philosophy, this course uses circus as a springboard for philosophical inquiry.

Don’t know how to juggle? Don’t know who Aristotle is or what he said? No worries. No background in either circus arts or philosophy is required. A sense of wonder, a healthy curiosity about the world, and an appetite for adventure are strongly encouraged.

This is an incredibly fun, worthwhile class. You can read more all about it here.

Here’s a nice feature on KET’s Kentucky Life (2023) about circus and philosophy.

PHI 193: Circus and Philosophy will next be offered Spring 2028.

Circus Cats – Circus Club

  • Showcase Fall/Winter 2024 – “Our club has been a home to professors, staff, graduate and undergraduate students across all the colleges here at UK, with experience levels ranging from years of practice and professional work to those who, much like myself in the beginning, have no idea what they’re getting themselves into. …I was given the chance to learn and practice juggling, acro-balancing, a variety of other aerial apparatuses, and most recently, unicycling.” – Jess Farace, Founder and President of Circus Cats 2021-2023
  • Circus Cats – Trapeze – “Circus can be a bit of a mental sport, the height of the silks or the trust required in another person when acro-balancing can be difficult to overcome; however, I have always found comfort in knowing that there is a group of people ready to leap into action when you get stuck and cheering you on when you finally succeed. Our circus club has provided a safe space, both literally and figuratively, for any member of the UK community that wishes to take part. ” – Jess Farace, Founder and President of Circus Cats 2021-2023
  • Jessica Johnson teaches Aerial Silks during an Intro to Circus Workshop with the Gaines Center for the Humanities – Spring 2024
  • Circus Cats – Lyra – “…the Circus Cats continue to reach heights I had not even considered when forming the club. They have participated in multiple outreach events for both the UK community and the larger Lexington community, held their first ever performance, and even garnered some media attention. While I may no longer be a student, I will forever be grateful to…this club unlike any other, which I know will continue to develop and thrive for years to come.” – Jess Farace, Founder and President of Circus Cats 2021-2023
  • “Circus Club has taught me so many things over the past few years of my involvement as a student. When I first started in 2023, I had fears of not being strong enough, skilled enough, or even not fitting in with the club. When I walked into the circus lab for my first meeting, after some contemplation, I hesitantly tried out the trapeze. I could barely even get on the bar, much less assume any impressive poses that I had seen other people accomplish. However, instead of being discouraged, I was inspired by everyone to grow and change. The club members were all incredibly supportive, encouraging me to keep trying, and telling me that everyone starts somewhere. I realized I was certainly not the only person in that room who, at some point, had doubts or struggles about their own abilities. I never imagined, though, that I would eventually get the courage to perform in front of hundreds of people over the years as part of the club’s showcase.” – Liz Stuckenborg, Club Member 2023-26, Social Media Manager 2025-26, President 2026-27
  • “Being a Circus Cat has inspired me to grow both physically and mentally. Before joining the club, I was someone who had severe performance anxiety, with my heart racing even at the thought of being in front of a crowd. By my second showcase performance, I was a bit emotional the moment before my routine started. I felt incredibly proud, calm, and focused, trusting in the strength and skill that I had built, as well as knowing that there were so many people in the room supporting me.” – Liz Stuckenborg, Club Member 2023-26, Social Media Manager 2025-26, President 2026-27
  • “It is truly amazing to me how the club unites some of the most kind, caring, and interesting people from vastly different backgrounds all to celebrate and practice the circus arts. Sharing the circus experience with others both inside and outside of the circus lab has been my absolute favorite thing to do at the University of Kentucky. I can certainly say that being a part of this club and even going on to help run the club as an officer has made me someone that I can be proud of.” – Liz Stuckenborg, Club Member 2023-26, Social Media Manager 2025-26, President 2026-27
  • Circus Cats – Aerial Silks
  • The Circus Lab
  • Circus Cats – Aerial Silks
  • Circus Cats – Trapeze
  • Circus Cats – Aerial Silks
  • Circus Cats GroupMe Text: “It has been an absolute pleasure being a part of these shows and being able to help put them together. This truly was the best one yet…Everything from the production of the decorations and set up, the running of the show, the stagehands, and performers!!! We all did that, it takes a village and we did it. Everyone’s passion and dedication to circus and the community showed last night and I couldn’t have asked for a better show and Senior close out as a Student and President. We all did amazing, everyone truly was perfection – performers and stagehands. Be proud of yourselves – we killed it. THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU ALL!!!” – Amber Singh, Club Member 2023-26, Club President 2025-2026
  • Circus Cats GroupMe Text: “GUYS IM GENUINELY SO HAPPY!!! Everyone was so amazing and skilled and talented- I’m so glad I got to perform with you guys I could not have asked for a better first showcase!! Truly guys I’m so grateful that I had this opportunity and that I got to do is with the most passionate people I know ” Sade Brown Club Member 2025-26, Social Media Manager 2026-27
  • Showcase Fall/Winter 2024
  • Showcase Fall/Winter 2024
  • Circus Cats – Showcase
  • Circus Cats – Showcase
  • Circus Cats performers bow after their Spring Showcase, “Dawn till Dusk” at Barker Hall in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, April 17, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog
  • Anaya Ellis performs Lyra during the UKY Circus Cats Spring Showcase, “Dawn till Dusk” at Barker Hall in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, April 17, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog
  • Celia Lacourt performs silks during UKY Circus Cats Spring Showcase, “Dawn till Dusk” at Barker Hall in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, April 17, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog
  • Amber Singh introduces the next act of the UKY Circus Cats Spring Showcase, “Dawn till Dusk” at Barker Hall in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, April 17, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog
  • Tyler Smith juggles during the UKY Circus Cats Spring Showcase, “Dawn till Dusk” at Barker Hall in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, April 17, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog
  • Sophia Wielawski performs on silks during the UKY Circus Cats Spring Showcase, “Dawn till Dusk” at Barker Hall in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, April 17, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog

Founded in December 2021, Circus Cats is the student-run circus club at the University of Kentucky – a community that learns and shares knowledge about the circus and circus arts, often through first hand experience and practice of circus skills such as juggling, acro-balancing, and aerial arts. The Circus Cats host a variety of outreach events and workshops on campus throughout the academic year, as well as create, produce, and perform in spectacular end-of-semester showcases.

Meetings are every Friday 3:30-5:00pm in the circus lab (Barker 104). All students, faculty and staff are welcome – all that’s needed is a UK linkblue ID. No experience necessary! Come on out!!!

Check here for latest updates. Go here for their IG page.

Recent Press

Publications

2024 “Philosophy through Spectacle” in The Art of Teaching Philosophy: Reflective Values 
and Concrete Practices. Bloomsbury Academic (August 2024).

2023 “Circo e Filosofia: Ensinando Aristóteles com Malabarismo” (translation) in Úrsula (Brasil)

2022 “Circus and Philosophy: Teaching Aristotle through Juggling” (revised) CircusTalk

2021 “Circus and Philosophy: Teaching Aristotle through Juggling” Aesthetics for Birds

Funding

  • Gaines Center for Humanities HMN 303 & PHI 193 – Spring 2024 (2K)
  • TEK Faculty Fellow Track 2 for PHI 193: Circus and Philosophy – 2023-2024 (3.5K) 
  • OVPR Research and Creative Activities Program Support (Circus Lab) – 2022-2023 (4.2K)
  • OVPR Research and Creative Activities Program Support (Circus Lab) – 2020-2021 (4K) 
  • UK Facilities Management Funds (Circus Lab) – 2019-2020 (10K)