When Gamma Phi Circus director Al Light decided that the 75-year-old
institution he leads would change its format this year -- to look more like
a European-style, Cirque de Soleil-style production -- he did not anticipate
having an immediate international impact.
Maybe they are not known international yet, but the esteemed Illinois State University performing group is now known by school children in Quebec!
A just-published, second volume of a French-language mathematics textbook in Quebec, Panoram@th, includes a photo of Gamma Phi Circus’ popular Russian swing act to illustrate several mathematical questions dealing with fractions, degrees and angles of rotation.
Light said he received a phone call last year from a representative of the publisher specifically asking for a photograph of Gamma Phi Circus’ Russian swing. She seemed to know exactly what she was looking for, Light said, but he still does not know how she chose Gamma Phi Circus for this request.
Light guarantees that there will be no French questions or math questions for anyone in attendance at this year’s Gamma Phi Circus on-campus shows April 20 and 21 in Redbird Arena, the 71st annual show. Tickets are available at the Bone Student Center box office, (309) 438-5444, or at the Redbird Arena box office at (309) 438-8000.
