News 

The Five Ws – Interview with Rachel Belle Barum

Daniel Burow
The Five Ws - Rachel Belle Barum
In this interview, Daniel Burow speaks with Rachel Belle Barum on her work, life and family legacy in the circus:

Why did you become a circus artist?

I was born into a circus family. My father was a high-wire and master performer, Pierre Bauer, whose mother comes from the Nock circus dynasty. My mother, Rebecca Siemoneit-Barum, is an actress and was the junior director of my grandfather’s circus, Circus Barum. Growing up in the circus and traveling with my parents, it was the most normal thing in the world for me not to be normal, but to choose a career in show business.
What has been the greatest challenge in your life as an artist?

Above all, self-doubt has been a constant companion in my life as an artist. How ironic, considering how confident you feel as soon as you step onto the stage and the music starts playing.

What is your favorite circus show and why?

The Monte Carlo Circus Festival is a show whose presentation deeply touches me every time. Circus is celebrated in all its nostalgia and beauty. When the orchestra starts playing the march and the artists proudly enter the ring, I always shed a tear or two.

Aerial acrobatics is Rachel’s passion, even with unusual props. (C) Stefan Gierisch
Where do you see yourself in the future?

For the past year and a half, I’ve only been performing occasionally because I’ve decided to take my career in a different direction. I’m completing vocational training as a social worker and would like to pursue further studies afterward. Working with children fills my heart on a deep level. Nevertheless, I still have circus blood; I love shows and performing. My next engagement is in the Christmas variety show at the Capitol Theater in Nordhorn. In the future, I can well imagine following in my mother’s footsteps and, for example, acting as a presenter and singer in shows around Christmas time.

Who should we interview next in this series?

I would like to recommend my good friend Lili Konyot. She is a fantastic singer, an absolute powerhouse, and an artist through and through.

This article was originally published at Scenic Circus.

Daniel Burow
Writer and Producer -GERMANY
Daniel Burow has been editor of the German circus magazine CircusZeitung for eight years. As member of the German network of circus associations, he was one of the major contributors in the successful UNESCO cultural heritage application of circus arts in Germany. In 2022 he has founded his production company Scenic Circus with the goal to build bridges between the genres of contemporary and traditional circus arts. This is also a main focus of his newly founded online magazine "Inspiring. Circus. Arts.", which is run under the "Scenic Circus" umbrella.

Back to Home

Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.

🎧 Join us on the StageLync Podcast for inspiring stories from the world of performing arts! Tune in to hear from the creative minds who bring magic to life, both onstage and behind the scenes. 🎙️ 👉 Listen now!

Daniel Burow

Daniel Burow has been editor of the German circus magazine CircusZeitung for eight years. As member of the German network of circus associations, he was one of the major contributors in the successful UNESCO cultural heritage application of circus arts in Germany. In 2022 he has founded his production company Scenic Circus with the goal to build bridges between the genres of contemporary and traditional circus arts. This is also a main focus of his newly founded online magazine "Inspiring. Circus. Arts.", which is run under the "Scenic Circus" umbrella.