David Shipman says he has a wonderful job.
Shipman is the ringmaster for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus presents Fully Charged, Gold Edition. The circus is at the Civic Center through Jan. 27.
“I get to interact with all the performers and introduce the performers,” Shipman says. “I get the audience fully charged.”
Shipman digitizes the network as he introduces acts from around the world. In true modern fashion, he learned about the ringmaster auditions through Facebook.
“I was living in Orlando and sent off for information,” Shipman says. “I had been doing the 9-to-5 for several years.
“I wanted to do things and put myself out there,” he says. “It had always been my dream to run away with the circus.”
Ironically, it turned out that Shipman had missed the auditions. He called Ringling Bros. directly to see if there was any chance he could still try out.
“This wasn’t your typical role ― this was The Greatest Show On Earth,” Shipman says. “I had to take the chance.”
Fortunately, Ringling Bros. talent scouts and producers Nicole and Alana Feld liked what they saw. They sent Shipman to meet director, Fred Tallaksen, who offered him the job.
“I’ve done a lot of musical theater,” Shipman says. “I saw my first Ringling Bros. show when I was 2 1/2.
“That really sparked something and now it’s come full circle,” he says. “At that first show, I got a little baby elephant stuffed animal and it’s stayed with me.”
Originally from Pensacola, Fla., Shipman attended a performing arts magnet school where his first solo was at age seven. He was a member of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, where he performed in front of thousands.
As a teen, Shipman was always involved in theater. But after college, he put performing on hold to earn a living.
Shipman was encouraged in his dream by his mother, Karen. “She is absolutely an undying supporter,” he says.
“She’s been wonderful throughout the entire process. She inspired me to put myself out there and take chances.
“I was working at an art and design school,” Shipman says. “Working with the students was fulfilling and working 9-to-5 is fantastic for some people, but I always wanted more.”
Today, Shipman has plenty more. “The most exciting part of the job is watching the acts,” he says.
Fully Charged, Gold Edition, is a new show, Shipman says. “It’s an opportunity for me to get the audience pumped up,” he says.
“In some ways, I’m still that 2-year-old with the wide eyes. We have the elephants, the really great high-wire artists, jugglers, the Globe of Steel where the motorcycles race around inside the globe.
“Our strongman is a descendant of Genghis Khan,” Shipman says. “It’s a true testament to why the circus has been popular for so long.”
On a typical day, Shipman goes to work and runs through a couple of acts before the show goes up to finalize everything. “I’m literally getting to interact with people and see the excitement on everyone’s face,” he says. “The best part of the job is interacting with people.
“There’s lots of singing and dancing. Out of 44 weeks, we have 44 stops so I get to see everywhere.”
Shipman wants to remind audiences that the pre-show is included in the price of tickets. “You get to come in for a free backstage tour, interact with the animals and performers and hang out with me,” he says. “It’s a great experience for the entire family.”
IF YOU GO
What: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus presents Fully Charged, Gold Edition
When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 and 25; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Jan. 26; 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Jan. 27
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Arena, Civic Center, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave.
Cost: $20-$35
Info: 912-651-6550