Young Performer Juggling Big Top Dreams

Dylan Biedrzycki has spent countless hours training and honing skills to prepare for the stage, but not just any stage. He is rehearsing for the greatest show on earth: the circus.

The 11-year-old taught himself to juggle when he was nine, and has developed impressive gymnastics skills to complement his handiwork. He can jump or flip around with the best of them, whether it be on the floor or on the trapeze.

Dylan can be found high in the air; whether on a human pyramid or juggling with a partner on shoulders. This young performer doesn’t just juggle balls, but can also toss around swords, plungers, flaming sticks and anything in between. 

This is his dream and he is sticking to it.

And his family is right behind him every step, or handspring, along the way. Parents Tamra and Mike Biedrzycki said that their son’s journey began after seeing a contortionist act at Clark’s Trading Post up in Lincoln. He then joined the gymnastics team and began to master more and more challenging juggling tricks.

“He expected fire and knives for Christmas,” said Mike Biedrzycki. “I was surprised when he told me he wanted to be in the circus, but soon discovered a new world we hadn’t known about.”

New Hampshire has a surprisingly robust circus culture within its borders, from the always entertaining Granite State Clowns to groups dedicated to the art of circus performance. One such group is hidden away at the Pine Hill Waldorf School in Wilton, which has Developmental Circus Arts built into its curriculum.

The Flying Gravity Circus, directed by Jon Roitma, invited Dylan to join their ranks as the youngest member after he began training with them. He has performed with the traveling group, most of them high school students, in over a dozen shows around the state.

Tamra said that this group is like family and have helped Dylan learn advanced gymnastics and juggling techniques to add to his list of skills. He trains in gymnastics three times a week and works on his circus performing for nine hours each week.

“I want this to be my career,” said Dylan.

Things are already looking good for this enthusiastic young man. Dylan has already won a competition, and is currently working on his bounce juggling technique. He was also accepted into the Circus Smirkus advanced camp this summer, and has his eye on joining the Vermont-based youth company on tour next year.

He has a loving family behind him who want to see him fulfill his dreams to one day join one of the big names, like Cirque du Soleil. 

“People said he would change his mind, but I would be surprised if you came back in ten years he be on a different track,” said Tamra.