Another day, another death-defying trick during practice in the Kooza rehearsal tent. Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

Wardrobe Assistant Collette Livingston keeps track of the 300 pairs of shoes in the Kooza costume collection. Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

Livingston holds up an acrobat’s shoe to show the distinctive “wire path” that reflects the way its wearer walks the high wire. Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

The Kooza production travels with 1,200 costume pieces, including these multi-colored wigs. Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

A unicyclist practices his routine on the rehearsal floor adjacent to the wardrobe area; the plumes hanging above his head are costume pieces. Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

During a rehearsal, an acrobat on stilts stands at the end of the Teeterboard, about to launch as soon as his compatriots… Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

…land on their end of the seesaw, sending him into the… Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

…stratosphere, some 30 feet above the stage, before… Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

…landing on his feet. Or rather on his stilts, and still right side up. Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

One of the actors who plays Bad Dog is fitted for his costume, in which he’ll be able to wag his tail, wiggle his ears, stick his tongue out and, yes, pee. (Watch out if you’re sitting in the front row.) Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette

Teachers Thierry DeGagne and Melissa Mungo in the school trailer. Their five students, grades 4-10, include three Mongolian contortionists. Credit: Photo by Shanna Gillette