Q. Where do the acrobats come from?
A. The troupe originates in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Most of the troupe members are from Shanghai and the surrounding areas. In China they perform as the Shanghai Magic Troupe at the Shanghai Magic Circus.

Q. How old are the acrobats?
A. The members of this troupe are ages 13 to 45.

Q. When did they begin their training?
A. Most of the acrobats in this troupe began at about age 9 or 10. They auditioned for the Shanghai Magic Academy of Acrobatics which is the school attached to the troupe and began their training when they were accepted at that time. Most of the students took dance or gymnastics just like our children do beginning at about age 5 in school or in after school programs

Q. What do the younger acrobats do about school?
A. Compulsory education is from ages 3 to 13 in China. The younger acrobats fax or Email their lessons back to China when they are on the road. They go to public school in China when they are home. One of our translators is an English teacher also. She holds English classes for those interested during free time. At this time she has 5 different levels of English classes.

Q. Are their families with them?
A. No. They leave their families at home when they go on tour. We do have computers set up in every one of their rooms so that they can chat and email home daily. China is 13 hours ahead of the U.S. so when they are finished with the show at night it is day in China. We encourage this close communication with home.

Q. What happens when they are no longer able to perform?
A. The New Shanghai CircusTM, the touring company from the Shanghai Magic Troupe becomes like a family for the acrobats. The members usually stay with the troupe for life. They may become coaches of younger acrobats, or may learn production skills such as lighting or sound. Some may work in marketing or the business end of the troupe. " Maggie" is a good example. She began with the troupe when she was 6. She has been the featured contortionist and a nose balance artist. She and her husband both work for the troupe. He is the lighting and sound technician for the troupe in Shanghai. Maggie has coached and is now the costume designer for the troupe in Branson. She designs and constructs all of the costumes you see on stage.

Q. They are in such great shape. What do they eat?
A. While the acrobats love American food, they are in training as athletes. They bring a chef from China who prepares traditional Chinese food for them. They eat very healthy meals that they are use to eating at home. Note: They have learned to order pizza for special occasions, and ice cream and hot dogs are a favorite!

Q. How much do they practice?
A. The acrobats put in 3 to 4 hours of practice per day. Their practice includes general strength training as well as training for each specific skill they perform. For example, all of the women in the troupe practice plate spinning for 1 hour per day. Good for eye hand coordination, plate spinning is an excellent exercise for the arms and enables the women to work on focus and concentration. In order to stay in good shape they work out even when they are not doing a show.

Q. Do they live in the United States now or do they go home?
A. The troupe now calls Branson their second home, but they live in Shanghai, China. They are in Branson for 6 to 7 months out of the year. While they enjoy being in Branson, by November they are ready to go home to see their friends and family.

Q. Do they get paid?
A. Yes, they get paid very well. They are paid by the act each time they perform. Someone who is in more than one act in the show earns more than someone who is only in one act. This helps to encourage the acrobats to learn more than one skill. They help to teach each other new stunts.

Q. Are they all double jointed?
A. Not really. They are just extremely flexible having learned from an early age.

Q. Are any of these acrobats in the Olympics?
A. Most began their initial training as Olympic caliber athletes but chose to go into professional acrobatics instead.

Q. Where else have they performed?
A. This troupe goes on a national tour of the United States and Canada yearly. You may have seen them in Hawaii, on Broadway or in Florida. This is the only Chinese Acrobatic troupe to have performed on Broadway.

Q. Are these the same performers that were in Branson last year?
A. Some of the performers are the same. Each year when the troupe returns to China they audition to see who gets to come back the next year. We have brought new performers to Branson for the 2003 season. We have new acts. The troupe only brings the best performers on tour.