Hickman Heads Odditorium

Zachariah Hickman is a senior Jazz Studies and English major. In addition to preparing for graduation this spring, Hickman created and is the director of this weekend’s Odditorium, a student produced circus. 


Christina Morgan: How did the idea for Odditorium begin?


Zachariah Hickman: Early in the year I came up with the idea of putting on a musical freak show instead of a senior recital. And in just a couple a weeks the concert idea turned into a big circus. I think I was just looking for an excuse to grow a handlebar mustache.

CM: And the name?


ZH: Actually the name is a historical reference, not original to me. The name comes from a building that was the historical predecessor to Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

CM: Was it difficult to find enough performers?


ZH: This is Oberlin! No, I have a really big company and a lot of great performers. It’s just hard to join those people with just an interest in the circus with those with a long term commitment to a project. We have about 40 performers including Jack Bettin, a dancer from the Washington Ballet.

CM: Some people probably don’t consider circus acts legitimate theatrical performances. Do you see a relationship between the two?


ZH: People go to the circus sometimes and take for granted what’s real. In my research I found that circus performers complain that people believe the real things to be fake, such as sword swallowing and believe what’s real to be fake. I think there’s a lot of theater in my circus. Each circus wagon is its own little stage.

CM: So do you think that there is a big difference between writing and directing a circus as opposed to a play?


ZH: Yes and no. There’s a lot of creation involved and a lot of ‘thematicism,’ but the circus isn’t nearly as concerned with a narrative. We’re telling the story of the circus through the circus.


CM: Is there something about Odditorium that differs from traditional circuses that people might be accustomed to seeing?


ZH: This show is like a celebration of the totality of circus culture, both good and bad. It kind of has it all.

CM: What personally fascinates you about the circus?

ZH: Besides the mustaches? Well, originally what fascinated me most was the dark carnival Barker archetype, the sort of scuzzy Tom Waits style of popcorn and prophylactic circus. The Odditorium in practice isn’t nearly that dark. But, it includes elements of that for sure.


CM: Do you plan on continuing any circus work after graduating from Oberlin?


ZH: Short answer: no. Big answer: I’ve briefly considered joining a circus band after school for a while to see what it’s all about.

CM: What’s your favorite circus act of all time?

ZH: The last act of my show –– when I’m done.