In the days since Circus Arts Conservatory co-founder Dolly Jacobs’ Sept. 11 announcement that she had been terminated by the organization’s board of directors, fans of the legendary aerialist, supporters of the nonprofit and members of the Sarasota circus community have reacted with shock, outrage and vows to discontinue support for the organization.

“The circus community is beyond outraged,” says Kay Rosaire, an eighth generation circus performer and founder of the Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota. “This was her dream. I remember when they started. She actually painted the bleachers with the volunteers and started in her garage. She is our queen. Circus people are outraged and we’re not going to help them anymore.”

Others stunned by the news expressed concern about the impact of Jacobs’ ouster on the CAC’s annual winter big top show, its historic Sailor Circus Academy and other educational programs and long-term prospects for the organization’s future.

Jennifer Mitchell, who became CEO and president in 2024, said she could not specifically address any issues that led to Jacobs’ removal from the CAC board of directors earlier this summer or her dismissal from the organization, where she served as a vice president and the public face of the circus.

In an interview with ArtsBeat, Mitchell says, “I can’t speak to the process. We’ve had a lengthy transition and every effort to recognize the many contributions of our founders and to keep them affiliated has been made at every level.”

She says it was Jacobs who chose to make a public announcement about the changes.

On Sept. 11, Jacobs released a statement through her attorneys to the media that said the “CAC unexpectedly terminated Ms. Jacobs’ employment and removed her from its Board. This brings to a close her formal role with the organization she co-founded and helped build from the ground up.” Friends said Jacobs was traveling on a cruise and could not be reached for further comment.

Rosaire says several colleagues with long circus ties met on Sept. 16 at Showfolks of Sarasota, a social club to many to many in the circus community, to discuss possible actions, including seeking a meeting with the board of directors.

“I’m just stupefied. I’ve been getting calls from performers across the country and from Europe. She’s truly a circus star with friends all over the world. She’s been the main fundraiser. Donors gave because of Dolly,” Rosaire says. She added that the board has “no idea how our community is going to react to this.”

There was no direct incident that led to Jacobs’ removal, Mitchell says.

“In an organization’s lifecycle, you’ve got to structure for the future," she says. "An organization of our size, going from a mom and pop operation to a community-based institution, requires change.

“The organization has held her in the highest regard and couldn’t be more grateful for her contributions and understands there are confidential matters that should stay exactly that, confidential,” she continues.

On social media, one supporter said if Jacobs wants to return to her positions, “we should band together to bring a lawsuit.” Another said the move has “insulted our entire circus family.”

One commenter called Jacobs a “treasure. The incredible work she has done inspires so many to be better humans,” adding that “I also absolutely love CAC and hope their wonderful work continues.”

Mitchell joined CAC in 2008 as a marketing and public relations coordinator and had been serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer, when she was promoted two years ago. It was part of a long-planned transition that saw Jacobs and her co-founder and former husband Pedro Reis move into new roles with the organization. Reis is now serving as a consultant and advisor. The transition occurred as the couple was moving through divorce proceedings after 17 years of marriage.

Jacobs’ statement noted that “she has dedicated her life to the performing arts and to preserving, teaching and advancing the circus arts tradition.” Jacobs is the only circus artist to receive the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, one of the country’s highest honors for folk and traditional arts. She also received the Silver Clown Award.

She is the daughter of Lou Jacobs, one of the world’s most famous clowns, who spent more than 60 years performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. She got her start as an aerialist training at the Sailor Circus and then toured with Ringling Bros. and performed with the Big Apple Circus. She also was inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame on St. Armands Circle in 1997.

Jacobs, who is often billed as the "Queen of the Air," launched the National Circus School of the Performing Arts with Reis in 1997. It eventually became known as Circus Sarasota, took over operations of the Sailor Circus program and was rebranded as the Circus Arts Conservatory in 2013. 

Mitchell says she has fielded many calls from supporters and donors since Jacobs’ announcement was released, and she is aware of some of the angry messages online. The CAC “is standing strong and the people who are here for the mission and to support our kids and future kids to take part in the circus arts will remain,” she says.

Mitchell knows that some of the negativity has been directed toward her. “I’ve been with Dolly and Pedro and the organization almost two decades," she says. "They were part of the succession planning and along with the board, elevated and selected me as the next CEO and president. And there’s likely nobody who has more respect, administration and has learned more from them than me.”

“I think people who really care about CAC are not going to let the negativity or emotional reactions impact the work we do,” Mitchell continues. “We’re doing personal outreach to our supporters and our team has great conviction in the mission we deliver. We don’t want one child to be turned away or to have an experience taken from them because people don’t want to see the mission continue. We’re going to keep doing what we do.”