Pen and Ink: The Shinsplintski Family Circus

The Shinsplintski Family Circus began as a comedic theater piece that I created and performed in San Francisco. It featured an improv comedy cast. The show revolved around The Most Dysfunctional Circus on Earth, where eccentric performers and hilariously underwhelming acts took center stage. At the heart of the circus is Madam Shinsplintski, its imaginary founder and artistic director—a former 911 call center operator who thrives on stress. 

 

When chronic shin splints ended her competitive disco dancing career, she formed a cast of delightfully absurd characters, including Victoria Vargas, a disoriented psychic; Anita Date, a high-wire performer terrified of heights; Sally Jesse Feeling Swell, the company’s decertified resident chiropractor; and Monsieur Monterey, a foreign spy of dubious nationality.

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I bring the antics and misadventures of these colorful performers to life through expressive artwork. Each scene is illustrated on watercolor paper and often enhanced with pen and ink. The Shinsplintski Family Circus continues to evolve, proving with every piece that it’s never too late to join the circus.

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