Conversations with Dave Willacker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Willacker.

Hi Dave, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started by busking Juggling at different places in Cincinnati and Newport KY. More and more people would come and watch me perform and then people started asking me to actually do gigs. Once I got busy enough, I asked other jugglers to take some of the gigs I was booked at and then I turned this into my original company “Juggler Dave and Friends”. This really took off and I started adding more and more acts and skills until we became a Circus. This included aerial, stunts, trapeze, fire, stilt walking and more.

Eventually, this morphed into Casino Nights, Murder Mysteries and even inflatables! Now we are a full event planning company and Award Winning Circus who travels mostly in the Tristate, but all over the country!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not a smooth road at all. It took years to be able to financially have the ability to gain office staff. The company was growing faster than I could keep up with. The pandemic brought on many other struggles as well, but people love entertainment and we have put many covid compliant policies in place.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What we do: all types of entertainment: casino nights, stunt shows, sideshows, magic, juggling, stilt walking, balloon animals, facepainting, mimes, aerial, fire, costume characters, inflatables, mechanical rides, weddings, proms, galas, fundraisers, and so much more.

Specialize in circus performances, stunts and sideshows.

Known for: jugglers, magicians, inflatables, sideshows, aerialists.

Proud of: our clients and fans. they vote and we have won several awards because of our fans. i am also proud of our office staff for keeping everything organized, our delivery staff for all their hard work and hours, our talent for being spectacular and friendly, our accountant who works overdrive, and my family for all their support.

Sets us apart: we are always learning, training, trying to improve acts, add acts, and morph with the times.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
More socially distances performances, online shows, more traveling to other states.

Trends: People love our drive-thru circus shows, that has become a hit since covid…that might be a new trend and what we will be known for in the future as well.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@cincinnaticircus.com
• Website: www.cincinnaticircus.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cincinnaticircuscompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CincinnatiCircusCompany
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CincyCircus

Image Credits
Cincinnati Circus Company