Richard Shipley performed by Jeremy Stiller

Richard Shipley (1903-1973) Stories are often told of restless youths running away to join the circus but, at the age of 16, young Richard Shipley actually did. And while he may have only spent a year with the Ringling Brothers Circus before returning home to his family, it was enough time for him to develop an enduring passion for life under the big top. So great was this passion that 20 years later, Shipley returned to the circus as an elephant trainer—an occupation he would hold for the rest of his professional life. Script written by Kathleen Kirk, performed at Evergreen Cemetery Walk in 2016. Directed by Rhys Lovell.