Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

Designing Legends!, the 144th edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, was an exhilarating creative journey and my second time crafting the greatest show on earth. Working closely with director Rye Mullis and the legendary Feld family producers, I developed a spectacular Circus Portal—the centerpiece of any circus—featuring jeweled compasses, a glittering celestial crown, and magnificent elephant gates that dramatically opened to welcome audiences into the world of circus legends.

One of my proudest design elements was convincing our producers to keep the internal LED lighting in the jeweled compasses, allowing them to transform colors throughout the show and emphasize dramatic moments. These illuminated details, along with the elaborate chinoiserie pattern adorning the floats and ring curb, created a cohesive visual language throughout the production. I also had the privilege of designing the stunning "Leopard Float" for animal trainer Alex Lacey—a sculptural showpiece that combined cubist influences with traditional circus "gaunche" swirls, all covered in purple glitter with gold accents and rhinestones.

Want to go backstage and learn how circus magic comes to life?

‍Click here to read my story about creating spectacle for "The Greatest Show on Earth."