Muscogee Moms recently had the opportunity to talk with circus mom Maria Dominquez of the Lopez Troupe. She is a native of Chile and a performer in the Gold Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents the Super Circus Heroes, a show coming to the Columbus Civic Center on January 28-29, 2014.
Maria performs in the Lopez Family’s Globe of Steel, a gripping, high-speed act that features three motorcycles racing more than 60 mpg around the inside of a 12-foot steel sphere. In addition, Maria also performs a nail biting high-wire routine with her fearless husband and and the Lopez’s. Their aerial stunts have unbelievable risks, including a sideways hand-balancing stunt on the high wire, shoulder stands, blindfolds, and a handstand on a precariously-balanced bike.
In our interview, this daredevil mother of three shares with us how she juggles motherhood with an on-the-road lifestyle that comes with being a part of the Greatest Show on Earth!
Maria and Jonathan Lopez (© 2013 – Feld Entertainment)
MM: How did you become a circus performer?
Maria: I grew up in a regular city and went to regular schools. My mom was a circus performer and she wanted us to have a normal life. But ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a Circus performer. So my dad got me a contract to perform in Mexico. I moved with my dad to live in Mexico and never went back.
I love the circus life. I have for 14 years. This is the stuff that I love. I do it not just because I’m the wife of a circus performer. I practice a lot. I practiced three years before I could join the high wire act. It’s not like a job. It’s my passion. I enjoy it.
MM: When and how did you and your husband meet?
Maria: Down in Mexico, I worked for a different company with my dad, but both circuses were in the same city at the same time. I liked to watch all the different circuses and saw his particular show. I saw him on the high wire and fell in love. After the show, like any fan, I went to up say hello. My dad and his dad were friends. We have been together for 11 years now. We hope in the future we can work with our sons.
MM: Are your children involved in the circus?
Maria: They just started practicing to walk on the low wire last year. Everyone has to start somewhere. Maybe one day they will want to walk on the high wire. They love it. They see their father and I working in the show, so for them it’s like a dream. They enjoy it when we are working. It will be their decision if they want to be circus performers. My parents gave me the option. I will give it to them. They like the show and want to ride a motorcycle.
The Lopez Troupe (© 2013 – Feld Entertainment)
MM: Tell us what it’s like to raise children in the circus.
Maria: It’s special. I get to travel and be with my children all the time. We get to meet many different cultures. My boys are 11, 9, and 7 years old.
The best part about Ringling Bros. is that they care so much the families that come to the shows, and they care for the families that perform in the shows. They want the families to be together. Having our family together makes us happy. The Ringling Bros. are very special by providing the school and daycare. So while the parents are performing, we don’t have to worry about who’s taking care of them. We have two teachers. One for the older ones and one for the little ones.
The other performers are from all around the world. They are willing teach the kids if the kids are interested in learning dance, ballet, gymnastics, juggling. Every day they are learning something different.
MM: What is a typical circus day like?
Maria: We are like a normal family with different jobs. The day starts out with the boys practicing one hour a day. Balance, gymnastics. After that they go to the company school. The company has its own school with a teacher that travels with us all the time. We also have a day care for the little guys. My boys have to study 4-5 hours day and take tests just like regular kids.
Before each show, we have to warm up. We put on our make up. We play with our kids. We check all the props. One hour before each show, they let everyone come to the pre-show. The public can interact with us and our families. Then can do activities with us. I love watching our kids and other kids interact together. We are the only unit that offers the backstage area. You get a sneak peek behind the scenes. It’s a family experience.
MM: What is the best part of being a circus mom?
Maria: We have a chance to see so much of America. Our children get to go to school, and we all get to see so many sights. This company is all about family. The company owner and his entire family are involved with the shows. They like having the families be together. It’s one of the best companies I’ve ever worked for. You can travel with your family and they provide you with the the means to do so.
MM: There is an element of danger in what you do. How do you feel about your children following in your footsteps?
Maria: Like every mom, I want the best for my sons. I want them to be happy and safe. They know that they have a crazy mom, but they say they love it. They say they want to be like me. There aren’t any words to describe that feeling when your children want to be just like you. They keep me straight. They are my best and worse critics. They tell me when I did a great performance and they tell when it wasn’t so great. I value their opinions. I love it when they tell me I did well.
If they become circus performers, I will be very happy. If they don’t, I will be very happy. My mother was a circus performer, but she left the circus to give me a regular childhood. But I knew as a child I wanted to be a circus performer. My mom is proud of me. It was a hard for her to see me go and live my dreams. But she let me go. I want to my boys to follow their dreams too.
If You Go:
What: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Super Circus Heroes
When: January 28-29, 2014 at 7pm
Where: Columbus Civic Center
Cost: $12.50 – $32.50. Tickets can be purchased at the Columbus Civic Center Box Office, online at TicketMaster.com or ordered by phone (1.800.745.3000).
For more information: visit Ringling.com.
