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welcome to behind the curtain
The Business of Performance!
I'm Maya, a 17-year-old circus performer who's been navigating the professional performance world since middle school. While I shine on stage, I'm actually pretty shy offstage—but I've learned that building a sustainable performance career requires just as much business savvy as artistic skill.
This blog is where I share the real, behind-the-scenes experiences of being a young professional performer. From the bruises of learning new moves to the excitement of closing a contract negotiation, I'm documenting what it's really like to balance artistry with entrepreneurship as a teenager in the circus world.
Here's what you can expect from Behind the Curtain...
...where I share my journey as a young performer trying to balance circus, school, life and everything in between.
This blog is a look at what really goes on beyond the spotlight, the long preparation, the mix of pain and passion, to the rush of live performance and audience connection.
I’ll be sharing pieces of my experience with training, creative process, safety, and collaborating with other performers. I’ll also talk about figuring out the business side of things, like pricing, bookings, and learning how to put myself out there as a young artist.
Why this matters
Most young performers are passionate about their art but unprepared for the business realities of making it sustainable.
Behind the Curtain offers an honest, relatable perspective on building a performance career from someone who's learning these lessons in real-time, making it accessible for other young artists navigating similar paths.
Performances
Step behind the curtain, where unseen effort becomes art
About the
founder
I remember the first time I discovered circus—I instantly fell in love. Seven years later, that love has only grown stronger. When I perform, I’m filled with a sense of freedom, excitement, and exhilaration all at once.
My circus journey has taken me from passionate beginner to paid professional performer, even traveling for shows. Now, I’m excited to blend this artistic passion with my business studies in college, building a future that connects creativity, performance, and the business world.
I remember the first time I discovered circus—I instantly fell in love. Seven years later, that love has only grown stronger. When I perform, I’m filled with a sense of freedom, excitement, and exhilaration all at once. My circus journey has taken me from passionate beginner to paid professional performer, even traveling for shows. Now, I’m excited to blend this artistic passion with my business studies in college, building a future that connects creativity, performance, and the business world.
Training with international coaches has given me unique cultural insights and lasting friendships, while coaching young children has become a joy; I was surprised to discover how good I am at teaching a group of kids, and it feels rewarding to inspire the next generation of performers. I'm excited to blend this artistic passion with my business studies in college, envisioning starting after a circus arts program on campus that could extend into the community with scholarship opportunities for underserved kids—building a sustainable, profitable business that gives back while keeping me physically fit and creatively fulfilled.
Maya Degen
About the
founder
Maya Degen
I remember the first time I discovered circus—I instantly fell in love. Seven years later, that love has only grown stronger. When I perform, I’m filled with a sense of freedom, excitement, and exhilaration all at once.
My circus journey has taken me from passionate beginner to paid professional performer, even traveling for shows. Now, I’m excited to blend this artistic passion with my business studies in college, building a future that connects creativity, performance, and the business world.
Behind the Curtain ✦
