The Electric Company - The Short Circus

The Short Circus

Another regular part of the show was the Short Circus (the name a pun on short circuit), a singing group of kids whose songs also facilitated reading comprehension. June Angela was the only Short Circus member to remain with the show during its entire six-year run (she was 11 when production began and 17 during its final season); others lasted anywhere from one to four years. Irene Cara appeared only during the first season and would go on to become a pop music star (Fame, Flashdance). Cara was replaced by Denise Nickerson, best known for her appearance as Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Nickerson lasted a single season.

The other three original members of the Short Circus were Melanie Henderson (who at 13 was the oldest of the original group), Stephen Gustafson, and Douglas Grant. For Seasons Three and Four, Grant and Nickerson were replaced by dancer Gregg Burge and Broadway actress Bayn Johnson.

Except for June Angela, an entirely new Short Circus was cast for Seasons Five and Six. The new hires were Todd Graff (Ilene Graff's brother), Rodney Lewis, Réjane Magloire, and Janina Matthews.

In the first season, a number of unbilled children were also used on-camera with the show's cast, as on Sesame Street, but this concept was very quickly dropped.

Because of the frequent reuse of segments, a practice derived from Sesame Street, actors continued to appear after their departures from the cast.

• June Angela as Julie
• Irene Cara as Iris (1971–1972)
• Stephen Gustafson as Buddy (1971–1975)
• Melanie Henderson as Kathy (1971–1975)
• Douglas Grant as Zach (1971–1973)
• Denise Nickerson as Allison (1972–1973)
• Bayn Johnson as Kelly (1973–1975)
• Gregg Burge as Dwayne (1973–1975)
• Janina Mathews as Gail (1975–1977)
• Réjane Magloire as Samantha (1975–1977)
• Rodney Lewis as Charlie (1975–1977)
• Todd Graff as Jesse (1975–1977)