BY CLAIRE OERTLY
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Roseville High School junior Joshua Ireland has become a part of the Swan Brothers Circus, alongside his co-host Andy Swan, acting as a clown. The two take on the personas of “Zippy” (Swan) and “Low Tops” (Joshua), the members of the two-man Swan Brothers Circus.

Joshua had to overcome his fear of clowns in order to join the circus. Once he familiarized himself with the clown scene, Joshua quickly adapted and was no longer scared of what he was becoming.

“I was basically afraid of clowns before it all started,” Joshua said. “I was afraid up to that point and then once I started doing that, I stopped.”

Joshua was given the opportunity to replace one of the circus’ main performers “High Tops,” because of Joshua’s father Charles Ireland’s prior relationship with the Swan family.

“I started doing it about five to six years ago when a friend of the family had their own circus set up and one brother died,” Joshua said. “I got a chance to step in and help out over the years and help them cope with it and help out with the circus itself.”

Charles enjoys being able to watch Joshua follow in his footsteps, perform and improve his skills.

“He has come from just standing in the ring with a look of lost puppy dogs to a full fledged juggler and slapstick comedy that would make you burst your seams laughing,” Charles said. “What other son could follow as closely in his father’s footsteps with a red nose on his face?”

According to his father, Joshua is able to express himself and have no reservations while performing but it is not the same at home.

“During the show, as his clown ego Low Tops, he has absolutely been more outgoing,” Charles said. “But at home, he would prefer to just stay in his room, out of the spotlight.”

Joshua’s U.S. history teacher Jennifer Birch has known about his performances since their year long AVID class together. At first she was surprised, but is now able to see the other side of Joshua.

“In getting to know them I found out that Josh was a clown, which is ironic because he’s very quiet in class and yet he has a job that has to be bubbly, outgoing and always up,” Birch said. “I thought it was interesting because he is so quiet in class yet he has to be outgoing in his job.”

This experience has helped to shape Joshua into the person he is today.

“As a younger kid, this was more thrill and excitement than anything. As he turned older, it turned him into a more responsible person,” Charles said. “Without this experience, I don’t think he would have the ability to grow at such a fast rate that he did.”

Joshua’s performances include an array of different types of entertainment.

“We do a lot of gags and basically entertaining the kids,” Joshua said. “Juggling. There’s this one drumroll gag that’s really fun to do, it’s just those kinds of jokes and skits.”

Joshua appreciates and values bringing enjoyment to children and their families.

“Love the laughter of an audience and love to entertain them,” Swan said. “Greatest days are when kids and parents are happy, and in turn, I am. I love performing.”

According to Joshua, being a circus performer is not as easy as one would initially imagine – and as with other professions and hobbies, practice makes perfect.

“It takes a lot of practice especially learning how to juggle and tricks,” Joshua said. “A lot of practice at home and during the days you’re there.”

Swan has taught Joshua the ways and skills of circus performances since 2010 and recognizes both of their improvements.

“I taught Josh how to juggle, make balloon animals and perform for an audience,” Swan said. “We have learned how to be more adaptive and creative.”

Creative expression is vital to every person and the circus is a perfect outlet for Joshua.

“It’s an overall fun experience. It starts with you getting there a day or two early, setting up the tent, like the big twenty-by-forty tents and performing for the day or the four days,” Joshua said. “It’s the whole experience that’s really fun.”

Charles was once a part of the same circus and has been able to see similarities between him and his son, appreciative that his son is enjoying following in his footsteps.

“Those days have passed me. So it is time to just sit back and enjoy the show,” Charles said.