First Night State College is set to showcase numerous unique and exciting performances for the 2023 festival, and among them is Circus Stella—a traveling circus featuring trained rescue dogs alongside skilled human performers. This circus promises a night of laughter, skill and heartwarming celebration of canine companionship.
Balance artist Dextre Tripp and his aerialist wife, Jana Colgin, established Circus Stella in Minnesota, offering entertainment for all ages while raising awareness about shelter dogs. The circus was named after one of the couple’s rescues.
“It just so happened that we adopted two dogs at the same time from a shelter in Georgia, and they really wanted something to do. Typically, dogs like to have an activity; they want a job. If they don’t have a job, they’ll make one up,” Tripp said. “The one they made up was, ‘I’m going to chew your house.’ So, I had to give Stella a job. What we did is, we started agility training and dog sports.”
From there, Stella began joining Tripp’s acts, performing tricks that delighted both her and the audience. With his and Stella’s bond, Tripp revealed a charming range of talents within the Circus Stella.
Tripp’s show now features seven rescue dogs with a wide range of talents. He explained that all the dogs are mixed breeds, contributing to their unique personalities and skill sets.
“It depends on the dog. Some are much better at jumping, others at balancing skills. I have a couple that walk on barrels. I have some that do classic stuff like jumping through hoops. Each dog is its own unique individual,” he said.
Tripp’s love for the circus and performance dates back to his childhood, when he learned to juggle. He then expanded into balancing, riding unicycles and more. Colgin, from a gymnastics background, joined him, and together with their rescue pups, they created Circus Stella.
The show features balancing acts, juggling, a classic dog act and more. The audience can experience the interactive charms of Circus Stella as the show invites them to be part of the performance.
“One of the things I really like to do is involve the audience, get them on stage, and encourage them to do something they didn’t know they could do. Part of it is just taking that opportunity and saying, ‘Let’s try it. Let’s see if this works,’” Tripp stated.
Tripp explained that Colgin is mostly retired as an aerialist now, but she’s still working behind the scenes for Circus Stella.
Tripp and Colgin’s experiences effortlessly blend into the circus’s unique ability to engage and captivate the audience.
The variety show’s different tricks, acts and stunts are expected to keep guests on the edge of their seats and are full of laughs for the whole family. The dogs are not only a crowd favorite but also a testimony to Tripp’s passion for working with rescue animals.
“I just like to give dogs a chance. I look for dogs that are less likely to get adopted. I pick the hyperactive dogs, the ones people are a bit afraid of,” Tripp explained. “A lot of folks don’t like black dogs. I think black dogs are fantastic and deserve a good home. So, I have a couple of them in the show.”
Additionally, Tripp emphasized that shelter dogs are likely to be successful when worked with and cared for. “One thing that I like to do is show people that if you give them a chance and you work with them, that they’re likely to succeed. So, just get out and do some fun stuff with your dogs, whether that’s just taking a walk in the woods, playing dog sports or working on circus tricks.”
Join the festivities on Dec. 31, when the magic of Circus Stella awaits alongside a lineup of other unforgettable acts at First Night State College, marking the perfect start to a new year filled with community celebration.
