Paul Binder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Binder (born c. 1942) is a juggler who became, along with Michael Christensen, one of the original creators of the famed Big Apple Circus in New York City, New York. The native of Brooklyn, has earned many doctorates, including one from Dartmouth College, where he graduated from. At Dartmouth, he would have his first show business experience, when he acted in some plays. He also graduated with an MBA from Columbia University.
After college, Binder went north to Boston, where he was hired by WGBH-TV as a stage manager for "The French Chef", and he also worked as talent coordinator with Merv Griffin. Later on, Binder went to San Francisco, where he joined the "San Francisco Mime Troupe", meeting his life long friend, Michael Christensen, while performing with that company.
Binder became known across the city of New York as well for his juggling abilities, but he wanted to reach more people. With this in mind, he set to tour around Europe, bringing in his performing instruments with him.
Binder was basically a street artist when he and Christensen decided to make circus performing their profession. At the time, they were in Kent, England. Soon after, they finalized an accord to sign a contract to participate in France.
Along with Christensen, Binder participated in the famed Casino de Paris, as well as on French television shows. Then, they joined the prestigious Nouveau Cirque de Paris.
Binder and Christensen became the co-founders of the Big Apple Circus after they returned from Europe in 1977.
Binder's dedication to circus life and the success of the Big Apple Circus have helped him get many of the honorary awards and honors, most of which he shares with Christensen, who has been equally recognized.
In 2001, Binder was declared a "New York City Living Landmark" by the New York Landmarks Conservancy society.
