Second Hand Circus presents “New To You Scrap Night.” A selection of circus artists showing short new works based upon an item that is thrifted, passed down, or lost and found. Second Hand Circus is a new company hoping to create spaces for creative ingenuity derived from sustainability. “New To You?” is an experiment asking artists to play and think outside the box. Our goal is to give artists a platform and encouragement to experiment to generate new things out of old stuff.

Christ Church Neighborhood House

20 N. American St,
Philadelphia, PA 19106 

TICKETS

GA $15
FringeACCESS: $2
PWYC/Sliding Scale: $5-10 

Limited tickets for this show are “Sliding Scale”, or Pay What You Can, which means you are able to pick your price. If you are able to pay the suggested price, that will help to subsidize somebody else’s ticket in need, but seating is General Admission and is not determined by the amount you choose to pay.

Recommended for ages 14+

Second Hand Circus – A new project by Jack Kavanagh and Elliott Gittelsohn, based in Philadelphia PA.

Second Hand Circus started when Elliott and Jack wanted to collaborate on a project, combining their passions of igniting community, fresh art making, and creative and sustainable thinking. As we build our shows and community open stages, we always try to lead with sustainability as our driving force; sustainable use of time, sustainable use of our bodies, sustainable building of communities, and regenerative creative practice. How can we reuse and recycle ideas to create and build our creative world?

Jack Kavanagh is a circus artist and director. Jack started his circus journey as a self proclaimed Cirque Du Soleil nerd. He moved to Montreal, QC to attend Concordia University where he studied contemporary art and dance. He then went on to take part in the intensive training program at the New England Center for Circus Arts with a major in rope and minor in German wheel. In 2018, Jack moved to Philadelphia PA to where he directed a team of artists under Open Ring Circus and creating Coated: the 1944 Circus Fire Project and toured the North East in 2019. Since then Jack has put his focus on thinking about how to strengthen the Philadelphia circus community both in artists relationships and artistic excellence. Jack hopes Second Hand Circus can be a vessel for many creative and collaborative projects pushing boundaries of creativity and sustainability. Jack is also on the Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival Community OutReach and Engagement Team. Jack is looking forward to the future of PCCF as it grows into a more wide reaching festival offering opportunities to all circus artists in Philadelphia. Jack is also a recent cat dad, loves biking, and swimming in rivers.

Elliott Gittelsohn resolved to join the circus at age 12. His training includes an apprenticeship at Circus Smirkus Academy, a degree in clowning from The Clown Conservatory, and training under Mongolian contortionist, Serchmaa Byamba. Elliott has performed with companies including Capacitor, Celebrity Cruises, Sister Magic Productions, MOTH Poetic Circus, Vau de Vire Society, and Kinetic Arts Production. He holds a degree in Performing Arts from the LEAP Program. While earning his degree, Elliott conducted research on psychological stress and recovery of circus performers in training versus performing. He was assistant director of Oregon Fringe Festival (2021 season) and was a junior fashion designer for Joe Dunbar Designs. He coaches circus skills, specializing in contortion and hand balancing, and has directed shows for Time Flies Circus, Burning Coal Theatre, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, Levity Circus Collective, Kinetic Arts Center, Circo Caribe, San Francisco Circus Center, and Hampshire College. Elliott is the Youth Troupe Director at PSCA, and is on faculty at Circadium, coaching contortion, flexibility, and creative development.

The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival (PCCF) runs May 23 - June 1, 2025, featuring artists from Philly's vibrant contemporary circus community as well as ground-breaking artists from across the nation and beyond. These contemporary circus artists defy limitations, reimagine what’s possible, and create breathtaking moments of connection for audiences of all ages. Don't miss thrilling shows that blend acrobatics, dance, theater, and storytelling to push the boundaries of performance.

SUPPORT

The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.