We All Love
to Play!
Start a SilverCircus with your community!
About the SilverCircus Project
The SilverCircus Project is an initiative launched by Marissa Peck in 2025 to support the development of local SilverCircus programs across the country. The Project partners with circus studios and community organizations to help them design and implement their own SilverCircus programs—offering inclusive spaces for older adults and adults with disabilities to engage in play, movement, and
community connection.
What is a SilverCircus program?
A SilverCircus program is a locally-run offering, typically hosted by a circus studio in partnership with a community organization. These programs provide welcoming and accessible opportunities for adults 60+ and adults with disabilities to connect socially, play, and move in joyful ways.
The first SilverCircus program was founded by Marissa Peck in 2024 at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) in Brattleboro, VT thanks to a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation. The SilverCircus program at NECCA offers in-studio session classes and workshops at community partner sites - such as Brooks Memorial Library, The Gathering Place, and Bradley House - that serve older adults
and adults with disabilities.
In June 2025, Marissa launched the SilverCircus Project to support the emergence of SilverCircus programs in other communities.
Project Offerings
Community Workshops
Curious to know if your community desires a SilverCircus? Looking to create new relationships with community partners such as libraries, senior residences and respite programs?
Bring us to your community to host a SilverCircus workshop in partnership with your circus studio or organization.
Program Building
Are you a circus studio or organization that serves older adults and interested in building a SilverCircus program?
We can help get your program off the ground with teacher trainings, sample classes, community partner development, grant writing, and budget creation.
Grant Consulting
Seeking funding to support the development of a SilverCircus program or to fund a series of free community classes?
We can help identify, write and manage grants to support your SilverCircus program.
Let's Talk!
Now Booking for Fall 2025 and Winter 2026!
It all starts with a conversation. Email us to set up a time to talk about your interests in the SilverCircus Project.
Testimonials
Our Partners & Supporters
Click on the logos to visit their websites!
The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) is a non-profit circus school. NECCA is the home of the first SilverCircus program, which was launched in 2024.
Cynthia Rauschert, founder of Circus Moves and early pioneer of developing adaptive circus programming for seniors, supported the curriculum development and teacher training for the first SilverCircus program.
Holistic Circus Therapy LLC is a registered, accredited private practice that combines occupational therapy with circus arts to address the unique health needs of individuals and communities.
Marissa completed the Holistic Circus Therapy Training in 2021 with Jill Maglio.
CircusAid is a social development branch of Holistic Circus Therapy. Marissa volunteered with the 2023 CircusAid project in Greece with Jill Maglio. This project grew her capacity to lead social circus programs and sparked the development of SilverCircus.
Marissa has been supported by Kevin O’Keefe and his CircusYoga - The Human Art of Play offerings as the SilverCircus Project has been evolving.
About the Founder
My name is Marissa Peck
I am a multipassionate mover and facilitator based in Southern Vermont. AcroYoga and Contact Improv are my two main movement practices, and I teach general circus, including juggling and aerials. I founded SilverCircus at the New England Center for Circus Arts in 2024 as a way to bring a social circus project into my community. I am also co-founding Earthseed Ecovillage and am happiest in my garden planting flowers and rolling around in yarrow.
