Rob Mermin

Rob Mermin ran off to join the [circus] in 1969. He [clowned] with various European circuses including England's [Circus Hoffman], Sweden's [Cirkus Scott], Denmark's [Circus Benneweis] in the Circus Building by the Tivoli, the [Hungarian Magyar State Cirkusz], and circus palaces throughout the former Soviet Union. Formal training includes mime with masters [Marcel Marceau] and [Etienne Decroux], and a degree in Drama and Literature from [Lake Forest College]. He is former Dean of Clown College for [Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus], and President of [Blackfriar’s Summer Theater]. In 1987 Rob founded the award-winning international touring company [Circus Smirkus]. Rob’s awards include Copenhagen’s World Star-Time Gold Clown; The Bessie Award; Russia’s Best Director Prize at The International Festival on the Black sea; It Takes A Village Award; and the [Vermont] Arts Council Award of Merit.