Our Story
With the leadership of Shenea Booth, known on stage as Shenea Stiletto, we have been speaking to city and state representatives to advocate for the circus workers in America since 2020. The starting mission was to put pressure on the NEA to recognize circus arts as its own category (read more here) But our sights expanded as we realized that the circus industry itself needs much broader protections and regulations to support the daily labor of the dedicated workers that make up this vast art form.
It is from here that the Circus Arts Guild Of America evolved. We believe as a collective movement that we can better amplify the concerns that have put circus workers at risk. In its first stages, we orchestrated the Performers Safety Act (read more here), laying out the necessary protections to legislate and safeguard the everyday circus worker. The Performers Safety Act continues to evolve in proximity to the successful passage of the Fashion Workers Act and the continued efforts for the Musicians Act. Inspired by the Dancers Alliance, we have compiled an Industry Rate and Working Conditions template as a way to push standardization and/or ground work for fair wage and compliance (read more here).
Join our coalition... both to support the ongoing advocacy work for our industry and to be a part of a growing community that promotes equitable working environments through safety standards, fair wage and contracts, awareness to better diversity and inclusion policies, and arts accessibility in America. Only as a collective force can we build a stronger industry.
Join Us
Founder
Shenea Stiletto
Shenea Stiletto is a world-champion acrobat, celebrated hand-balancer, and visionary founder of the Circus Arts Guild of America (CAGA). A two-time World Champion in Acrobatic Gymnastics, Shenea first rose to prominence as a USA Gymastics Hall of Fame Member, and later as one of the few elite gymnasts to transition successfully to an international circus career, performing with Cirque du Soleil, America’s Got Talent, and productions around the globe.
As a survivor of the USA Gymnastics system, Shenea channels her lived experience into systemic advocacy, championing policies that protect artists, empower survivors, and elevate the circus arts as a respected category within the American creative economy. Through CAGA, she continues to build bridges between artistry, equity, and policy — ensuring future generations of performers can thrive safely and sustainably.
Advocate
Elena Brocade
Elena Brocade has been an international circus performer for over 20 years and a social justice activist for closer to 30. As an aerialist and illusionist, her credits range from Flynn Creek Circus to The Magic Castle and Edinburgh Fringe Fest to Italy's Tù Sì Que Vales TELE5.
Working as a Safety Consultant for the American Youth Circus Organizations/American Circus Educators and as a member of the American Circus Alliance, she has supported the circus community in implementing safety standards and workers rights. Elena has called for the reallocation of funds away from the military industrial complex to support the arts and community support resources, such as social services, housing, and education. More broadly she authored Citizens Manifesto, a 3-part outline that calls for structural changes to our institutions, moral values and economic frameworks.