Founded in 2018, Breaking Circus is a contemporary circus arts production company based in Kjipuktuk / Halifax. They develop, produce, promote, and present contemporary circus arts performances for live and digital audiences. The company works with local, professional circus artists from diverse backgrounds to develop original content for their in-house productions and for external clients. The Breaking Circus Studio is located in the heart of the north end of Halifax.

Breaking Circus’ mission is to create innovative, contemporary circus works that inspire meaningful dialogue amongst audiences while being socially responsible and endeavouring to work closely with community for mutual benefit.

The company’s co-founders and co-directors are Dawn Shepherd and Ryan Gray, partners in business and partners in life. Both founders were educated at the prestigious École national de cirque in Montreal and returned to the East Coast in 2014 to begin building a contemporary circus arts production company together. Dawn Shepherd is the only contemporary circus arts director of African descent in Nova Scotia.

Alongside contemporary circus production, Breaking Circus also offers services and support in aerial rigging, circus instruction, community outreach, studio/venue rental, and project consultation and development.