Ben Hoffinger is an LA Arts intern this summer in Lewiston, a Bates College senior this fall and a student of the circus arts whom you might find juggling someday on a street near you . . .

Name: Ben Hoffinger

Age: 21

Lives: Arlington, Massachusetts

What first drew you up to Maine and Bates? I was originally drawn to Maine because I love the outdoors and the Maine coast! I was interested in attending Bates because I felt that the college community was very supportive and positive, and I really liked that many Bates students volunteer in Lewiston and Auburn.

What led you to LA Arts this summer? What sort of work are you doing for them? I was interested in expanding my involvement in the arts (beyond the circus arts) and engaging with the community (I love living in  Lewiston). I also previously worked at a Maine overnight summer camp and I really enjoy the summer weather and summer culture of Maine. At L/A Arts, I am primarily helping to organize local arts events, especially the recurring L/A Arts Music in the Parks events, during which local bands play live music, throughout the summer in Simard-Payne Park and Kennedy Park, along with creating posts for the L/A Arts social media pages.

Practicing the circus arts sounds so cool. How’d you first get involved? My grandparents got me a “Learn to Juggle” book for Christmas when I was in ninth grade. Over the same December break, I learned how to juggle three balls and the rest is history! When I got to Bates, I immediately joined the Circus Arts Club on campus and, since joining, I have learned how to walk on stilts and juggle pins/clubs, rings and knives. For the most part, I come up with tricks on my own in addition to learning new skills from YouTube videos.

Wildest thing you’ve juggled: Traffic cones. Juggling traffic cones was very tough, they are very heavy and rotate unpredictably in the air, but I am still able to juggle three cones at a time!

Do you have a favorite trick or one you’re trying to master? I am currently trying to master five ball juggling (or as jugglers call it, the “five ball cascade”)!

Sounds challenging! Do you see yourself performing in a troupe or publicly someday? I would love to someday perform/busk in the street. I really enjoy sharing juggling with other people and I love that juggling can be performed almost anywhere!

Senior year is nearly here! Three things you’re looking forward to over the next 10 months: Taking senior-level classes for my major, American cultural studies. (Hopefully) learning how to ski. Having a *relatively normal* year of college with the friends I have met over the past three years.

What are you hoping to do with your degree after you graduate? I am hoping to do work in education after I graduate. I love working with kids, especially teaching them new skills and helping them to develop as good people!

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