Interview with an Artist
Jefferson Freire:
Juggler Extraordinaire
Circus brings us together
Circus has an inherently international spirit. From stilt walking that arose first in Africa, to the foot jugglers of China, to the contortionsists of Mongolia - the disciplines come from all over the world. These practices continue to develop across generations and across continents as they cycle through being adopted and digested and spit back out into the world-wide community. And despite being firmly anchored in humanity and popular culture, it remains a niche, and in the United States, is an outlier amongst other more traditional performing arts. Although many Circus Artists still come from families that have performed in the ring for generations, for those new to the trade, it is said that circus saves you -- it is a community, discipline, and a direction for any of those who are seeking, wondering, and dreaming of new possibilities.
Circus Bella has been privileged to host so many diverse artists from many backgrounds. We are proud to have shared our work on 2 continents and work with over 86 different artists from both the Bay area as well as other corners of the world. Today we feature an interview between our aspiring local Bay Area artist, Jess, and our amazing Brazilian-born professional juggler, Jefferson!
From an Aspiring Artist to a Professional
You can find Jefferson juggling clubs, rings, and balls or perched on his giraffe unicycle and/or playing violin with his winning smile. Truly a talented performer indeed!
Jess Nguyen is our current Intern at Circus Bella. An aspiring artist, we thought it would be fun for her to chat with Jefferson.
Jess: How many hours a day do you practice? What does that look like?
Jefferson: Well, back in Brazil, I practiced 8 hours every day of the week after leaving school. I'd spend all day training. Then, when I started my studies in theatre and violin, I had to train juggling less and put in only 5 hours a day. Once I was in the United States, I didn't have time to practice a lot. I was an immigrant from another country, unfamiliar with the language here, and an artist. I had to think quickly about how I would survive in California without jobs and without speaking English. I practically had no time at all! At one point, I had made my way back to San Francisco with almost no money. Those were days, weeks, and then months of a lot of hard work. During the day, I was busking juggling at the city center and at pier 39 while also playing violin every morning at the BART stations. I felt exhausted and stressed from living in such an expensive city. Even so, I tried to make sure I practiced at least 2 to 4 hours during the week or weekend. I still had hopes of one day working in a circus company.
Jess: Life as an artist has its ups and downs. When things are hard, what keeps you pursuing your aspirations?
Jefferson: I believe the way through difficult times is to motivate myself from the inside out. I remember my own history, my efforts, and sacrifices. I think about early on when I was a boy and I had to juggle on the streets to help my family make a living. Life was very difficult for us and things never came easy and I understood that. I couldn't just be idle though. I felt like I needed to do something. I took to performing in the streets and worked to help my family survive day by day. I have to have faith in myself because, past and present, I keep overcoming the daily battle of survival and I keep dreaming. I keep fighting to accomplish something and to believe in the magic of the dream of being a great artist and making a difference, and this gives me the courage to face challenges and victories even if they are very difficult.
Jess: You have a lot of experience street-performing. What is it like to perform in the streets vs. in a circus or on a stage?
Jefferson: In the circus, in the theater, it is different! Practically everything is ready for the show, and it has an audience that is already invested in being there to see you. The stage and the audience has been pre-tailored and held for you.
Being on the street is a big challenge! I have no stage given to me. There is no "right" place. An artist of the street is not valued as an artist in the same way you see in a circus theatre. Even though "the world is my stage," it is different because it is on me to seek belonging here. It is challenging work because the freedom and variety of audiences means it is very important for me to be very creative and ready for improvisation all the time. But it is worth it. On the street, I have so much freedom and expression. I can reach an audience that may never have had the opportunity to see a juggler in the circus. I get to connect directly with individual people through my art. In my work, I engage with all types of audiences and social classes and meet all kinds of people and see that the coolest thing about art is that it can really be for anyone. From a homeless person to a millionaire, street performing art belongs to the people. I witness happiness, I talk with them, and I come to a deeper understanding. We all connect. I get to be a part of something money cannot buy: a more beautiful world.
Jess: You mentioned Charlie Chaplin and Francis Brunn are your inspirations- would you like to leave us with any words or any cool video moments about them?
Jefferson: Charles Chaplin clearly defended a technocratic ideology, which believed science and progress lead to happiness by guiding production and consumption. He believed the values of kindness, forgiveness, and love prevented us from falling into the social barbarity that technocratic progress could create.
Francis Brunn: I think that he is the most incredible juggler that ever existed and a great idol for all jugglers. He's just got insane skills.
Oh also! Alexander Kiss: He is an incredible virtuoso and creative juggler who makes me believe in chasing impossible maneuvers.
Jefferson as a young child. “ Since I was little, I loved the circus. This picture represents a lot of the magic of the circus that I am part of today.”
about the Artist:
JEFFERSON FREIRE
In his early years, Jefferson lived with his mother in the heart of a Brazilian suburb in São Paulo, a neighborhood intimately familiar with crime and poverty and a distinct lack of opportunities. Somehow, Jefferson first encountered the art of juggling at the age of fourteen, and in many ways it saved him. While most of his peers began turning toward drugs and crime, Jefferson turned to juggling and studied under Anderson Pereira de Silva (now considered one of the best jugglers of South America). Soon, Jefferson and his clubs were inseparable and he could be found practicing everyday for hours, rain or shine. What first began as a recreational hobby was quickly growing into a passion and hunger and opportunity for the extraordinary. During these times, Jefferson worked tirelessly on building his skills with his eyes set on making a difference. With resolve, he also began to supplement his family’s income by performing and sharing his skills on the streets.
A few years later, he started working in small circuses. His diligent practice was paying off and as his technique improved, so did his reputation. Combined with his natural charisma and ambitious nature, Jefferson was able to do bigger and bigger shows. In 2008, he became the juggling teacher at the first circus school in Diadema and was even sponsored by the Brazilian juggling equipment supplier Jr. Malabares.
In the following years, Jefferson gained prominence working in several theatre and street performing companies and participating in national and international juggling conventions. He’d also discovered a passion for violin and began studying intensely at the Diadema Music House. After finishing his degree in theatrical studies at BRAAPA, he continued his violin studies at the Fundação das Artes, one of the most prestigious music schools of Brazil. In his spare time, Jefferson learned to dance hiphop at a local dance school.
In 2012, he had made it to one of the largest circus companies in the nation: Universo Casuo and entertained millions. His experience was pivotal: he had met so many amazing artists from across the country and heard about their international experiences. He decided to dream bigger. In November of 2017, Jefferson landed in Vegas to participate in the international World Juggling Federation (WJF) and was proud to have been the second ever Brazilian to compete.
Soon after, he decided to try and settle in the Bay Area and quietly moved to San Francisco. He had heard that there was opportunity there and he had some friends in the area that he could reach out to. The transition was a very difficult time. Jefferson knew little English and fought under the intense pressures the expensive city imposed on its artists. With hope in his heart and his dreams on his mind, Jefferson dug in his heels and worked hard everyday. He revisited what he knew best and performed his juggling skills for the public along Pier 39 and City Center and played his violin in the BART stations. Meanwhile, he talked to everyone he could and crossed paths with many of the local artists. Word traveled fast and he was soon offered the opportunity to perform at the LOVE cabaret in SF. As he stepped on stage, he felt his heart swell and he resolved that he had unequivocally found his calling and would find a circus.
Many things happened within a span of a few months. He continued to invest in his art and his future in the US and started making a name for himself at the many juggling festivals across the West Coast, namely in Portland, Seattle, and Vegas. Not long after, word through the grapevine brought him to Circus Bella for their 2018 season. His involvement was bittersweet as it was dream come true but sadly short-lived. Complications with immigration prevented him from continuing working with them in 2019. Crestfallen but hopeful, Jefferson delved into his violin studies at the local community center and his English studies at CCSF while continuing to entertain the street goers of SF with his skills and biding his time.
That time came sooner than expected-Abigail reached out to Jefferson to invite him back to Circus Bella for the 2020 season. Serendipitously, the issues with immigration resolved itself in time for Jefferson to jump back on board. Elated, he trained with Circus Bella until the pandemic forced a rain check. Despite the circumstances, Jefferson remains patient, diligent, hard-working, and always hopeful. He looks forward to reuniting with his Circus Bella family again.
