ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List:
Exclusive Event with Midnight Circus
Honors the Past and Supports the Future
Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we've adored both The Actors Gymnasium and Midnight Circus for decades. My own son and daughter grew up doing circus arts and were cast in numerous Actors Gymnasium youth circus shows over the years. Come on out and celebrate 30 years of AG and help out at the same time. The celebration isn’t just about looking back—it’s about paying it forward. All proceeds from the evening benefit the Actors Gymnasium's Student Scholarship Fund, ensuring that young artists can access their world-class training—regardless of financial circumstances.
The Actors Gymnasium, one of the nation’s premier circus and performing arts schools, invites the community to its 30th Birthday Bash happening Friday, September 19, 2025, at Tallmadge Park in Evanston, IL, under the big top!
This one-night-only event features an exclusive performance by Midnight Circus, followed by a birthday bash with drinks, dancing, and surprise performances—all set under an iconic circus tent.
“For 30 years, we’ve helped people learn to fly,” says Murphy Monroe, AG Executive Director, “This event celebrates our history by investing in our future—through the students whose talent, drive, and potential inspire us every day.”
Evening Highlights Include:
VIP Reception (6:00 PM): Early entry to the show, drinks, bites, alumni mingle, and more
Midnight Circus Exclusive Performance (7:30 PM)
Birthday Bash (9:00–11:00 PM): Live music, exclusive 30th anniversary beer from Illuminated Brew Works, and a meet-and-greet with Midnight Circus performers, AG alumni, teen ensemble, and more!
Tickets are available now at https://givebutter.com/AG30thBirthdayBash
Can’t attend? Make a tax-deductible donation to the Scholarship Fund at checkout
Actor’s Gymnasium serves more than 1,000 students annually and is a cultural cornerstone of Evanston’s arts scene. This celebration is a chance to support their future—one daring performance at a time.
About Actors Gymnasium
Founded in 1995, the Actors Gymnasium is one of the nation's premier circus and performing arts training centers. Known for its original and daring circus-theatre productions, Actors Gym teaches thousands of students and welcomes tens of thousands of spectators annually.
Actors Gym partners with theaters nationwide and is proud to be a part of many of the nation's best physical theater productions. The Gym's Professional Circus Training Program is not just a training ground but a robust pipeline for career circus/theatre artists. These artists, who have honed their skills at the Gym, go on to grace stages and circus rings in Chicago and worldwide.
Actors Gym provides award-winning entertainment for corporate events, parades, halftime shows, and other special events. It also serves as the exclusive circus performing arts training provider for Lookingglass Theatre. Our collaborations with Lookingglass Theatre include Lookingglass Alice, Icarus, The Little Prince, Moby Dick, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Hardtimes, Luna Muda and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Under the leadership of the legendary Circus-Ring-of-Fame artist and performer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, the Gym is committed to breaking down barriers in circus arts. This commitment not only makes circus arts more accessible but also showcases the power of circus to expand human potential, inspiring all who witness it.
