Every Wednesday around 9 p.m., the Elder Hall first-floor lounge transforms from a study area to a place full of juggling, balloon animals and talk of unicycles and stilts.
The lounge functions as the meeting space for Cirque du NU, a new student group that plans to put on circus performances and workshops for the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, scheduled to open this summer. Cirque du NU was founded last quarter and has not yet been recognized by the NU Associated Student Government.
The Ronald McDonald House serves as a “home away from home” where families can stay while their children are in the hospital, according to the organization’s website. Taylor Alvaro, president and founder of Cirque du NU, started the group with fellow Elder residents as a way to help the families during hard times.
“It’s such a stressful atmosphere at the Ronald McDonald House,” the Weinberg freshman said. “The staff does a great job with helping people with their stays, but just by the nature of why they’re there, it’s a very hard time for the family.”
Before coming to NU, Alvaro worked at a circus in his hometown of Cincinnati. He said the student group’s dedication to community service is especially meaningful to him, because his younger brother was treated at a Ronald McDonald Hospital in California.
So far, the organization’s membership has been largely confined to Elder residents, but Alvaro said the group hopes to expand to the rest of campus.
Weinberg freshman Marie Donaldson, the group’s vice president, said she joined without having any circus experience because it is a great way to help people in difficult situations.
“I think it’s a pretty unique group with the combination of circus and service,” Donaldson said. “It lets you do many different things at once. This is something I’m really interested in because of the mission.”
Although Cirque du NU is planning to work primarily with the Ronald McDonald House, members have also been communicating with representatives from Children’s Memorial Hospital, 2515 N. Clark St., in Chicago.
“They were really excited about the idea,” Donaldson said. “The problem the group is currently focusing on is becoming ASG-recognized.”
The group began discussions about ASG recognition last quarter with Lauren Masterson, the ASG student groups vice president.
Masterson said it is important to remember ASG recognition is meant to enhance, not launch, a student group that adds something unique to NU’s community, both on and off campus.
“You need to be doing what the mission of your group is before you get recognized,” the Weinberg junior said.
As far as Cirque du NU’s status goes, Masterson said she was impressed with the amount of outside attention the group has earned. At this time, Masterson said the group should be able to secure ASG recognition if it continues to fulfill its mission and operate as it does now.
“We get a lot of repeat groups on campus, a lot of groups that raise money for a disease or sing a capella or do dance,” Masterson said. “This is a new group with new skills, and it’s kind of a fun idea.”
At this year’s Dance Marathon, Cirque du NU set up a booth to make balloon animals for the B+ Heroes, children with cancer who take part in events put on by the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Currently, members are preparing for their first visit to Children’s Memorial Hospital on April 21. In the future, they hope to plan on- and off-campus events with The Actors Gymnasium, 927 Noyes St.
