Kevin Venardos never thought he would be the leader of the “Greatest Show on Earth.”
He found the job browsing the want ads over coffee about four years ago.
“I saw this ad and gave it a big red circle with my red pen,” said Venardos, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus ringmaster, talking on a cellphone from his mobile train home in a locomotive yard somewhere near San Francisco. “I went in and happened to know the casting director, which helped me get seen.”
Venardos got the job at age 25 and went from small-time actor to big-time ringleader. His sudden move to the spotlight landed him the title of one of People magazine’s “Hottest Bachelors of 2003.”
“It’s not a bad thing for a 28-year-old, single man,” Venardos said. “Before, I didn’t have to deal with attention of a personal nature. It’s been good for me, frankly. I’ve discovered there’s a lot of fun to be had out in the world.”
Venardos enters the spotlight once again when the circus comes to the Everett Events Center for four days beginning Thursday.
Prior to the circus gig, Venardos took an acting job with TheatreworksUSA, one of the country’s largest touring children’s theater groups. He also tried his hand at television with a few appearances on the soap opera “Guiding Light.” Lacking much professional experience, he was still on the hunt for his first big break.
The formally trained actor received a bachelor’s degree in musical theater from Ithaca College in upstate New York. Even though he loved the fun and values of musical theater, Venardos was ready for something bigger.
“Theater is not always the most glamorous place,” Venardos said. “It requires a lot of hard work.”
And, although Venardos compares being ringmaster to working any other job, the ringmaster’s place is definitely at the center of the show. He is the voice of the circus.
The ringmaster “sings, dances and interacts with performers,” Venardos said. “More than that, he’s the spirit of the circus. He’s the host.”
Performing in an environment that’s larger than life, singing with a nine-piece band and leading the audience through an adventure with swinging acrobats, magic and lions, Venardos adamantly states that he’s not acting when he’s in the center ring.
“This is my job,” Venardos said. “I’m not playing someone else.”
Despite the top hat, bow tie and sequined costume, Venardos likes to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
“I walk up to someone (in the audience) and I’m about to say ‘Good afternoon’ but make an announcement instead,” Venardos said. “They have no idea what to expect next.”
For many, the circus may be the only live theatrical experience in most people’s lives, Venardos said. Interacting with people, watching them enjoy the various acts and getting them involved with before-show events are just part of the circus experience that keeps Venardos excited about it and keeps people coming back.
Venardos has been ringmaster for 31/2 years now and is the 33rd ringmaster in the circus’s history.
“The show content and demands on the ringmaster have changed significantly in the last 20 years,” Venardos said. “It’s more demanding.”
His circus contract is up next year and Venardos may explore his options.
“I’ll have to make a decision about what’s next,” he said. “I can only hope that my head and heart will guide me in the right place. There are a lot of things that I want to accomplish in my life.”
“I thought about, perhaps, going to grad school to study opera,” Venardos said. “I’ve always aspired to sing operatic repertoire.”
Despite his options, Venardos won’t forget his circus experience, which has opened his eyes to a new world.
“It’s kind of magic. People look to me to give that magic to them. It’s a privilege.”
Tanya Sampson: 425-339-3479, tsampson@heraldnet.com.
Kevin Venardos will be front and center when the circus stops in Everett this week.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey circus
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17; 11 a.m.. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18; 1 and 5 p.m. Sept. 19.
Where: Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett.
Tickets: $12 to $75; 866-332-8499.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey circus
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17; 11 a.m. and 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18; 1 and 5 p.m. Sept. 19.
Where: Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett.
Tickets: $12 to $75; 866-332-8499.
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