St. Paul's youth circus kicks off summer show

Details: The story takes place in 2050 on "an alien planet at the edge of the known universe" with conspiracy theories, comedy and high-flying stunts.

• The cast of 75 students trained year-round for the 16 shows, said program director Katy McEwen.

How it works: The school, started in 1994, hosts nearly 1,000 performing arts students at its 21,000-square-foot Big Top in Highland Park.

• Anyone ages 2-22 can sign up for classes. The summer catalogue includes everything from "Handstands 1000" to "Trapeze." Tickets for the 3-hour showcase range from $30-$50.
• Our thought bubble: It's a student performance, but considering a traveling Cirque du Soleil show starts at $60 for nosebleed seats, it's not a bad deal.