New York Circus Project is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to producing contemporary circus in New York City and the United States. We approach circus as an art form capable of telling big stories in visually striking a way. Drawing inspiration from classic texts and stories, our theatrical productions use acrobatics as a tool conveying narratives. Additionally, New York Circus Project produces free-to-the-public, family friendly circus cabaret performances on the streets of New York City. 

Sam Landa and Emma Owens founded New York Circus Project to bring contemporary circus arts to New York City. After working together at Columbia University, founding and leading the Columbia Circus Collective (the first new performing arts group to be approved at Columbia University in ten years) they decided to continue pursuing circus production after graduation.

While at Columbia, Sam and Emma received over twenty thousand dollars of grants and awarded funding for the Columbia Circus Collective. They directed and produced three circus performances, all of which sold out within an hour of tickets being released. Their shows were met with acclaim from the campus community, particularly their acrobatic adaptation of Hamlet, which was described as “utterly creative and original…masterful work” (Columbia Bwog) and “immensely effective in forwarding the tense, psychological themes at the heart of Hamlet” (The Blue and White).

Additionally, they taught free circus workshops, organized free outings to circus performances across NYC, and created a community that excitedly supports circus arts. For their work in performing arts on campus, Sam and Emma were both awarded the highest leadership awards from each of their respective colleges.

Sam is an alumni of L’ecole Nationale de Cirque (The National Circus School) in Montreal, QC and the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour. As a creative consultant, he has worked for the 7 Fingers, on Broadway productions, and for Disney Theatrical.

Emma’s professional background includes arts history research, fine art consulting, and digital marketing. Her dissertation at Barnard College focused on John Ringling’s art collection and circus imagery in visual arts.