CircusTeens

CircusTeens is CircEsteem’s youth employment program created in 2004. It provides opportunities for older students to become more involved with CircEsteem. It is an opportunity for them to gain work experience and save money for college while doing something they love. The CircusTeens are paid to mentor younger students, teach circus skills, perform and assist at HomeWork & CircusWork, Summer and Winter Camp, and on Saturdays with the Chicago Youth Circus. In order to be a CircusTeen, students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average, demonstrate a level of maturity and responsibility, be able to show mastery of specific circus skills, have a passion for performing and model positive behavior and leadership skills.

Philip Rheinheimer

Philip was born in Germany and moved to the United States at a young age.  He joined CircEsteem in 2007 after being inspired by attending a two-week camp with Circus Smirkus.  Philip is now a CircusTeen and was a counselor at CircEsteem’s summer camp in 2009.  Outside of circus, Philip does stage crew and hopes to get a career in the concert or event lighting industry.  Philip enjoys being a part of CircEsteem because it has given him the opportunity to make friends with people he normally never would have met.