In 2006, Jeff Raz started performing with Cirque du Soleil. He toured with 'Corteo' until early 2008, playing the lead role of the Dead Clown. He continues to work with Cirque du Soleil as a casting partner, a trainer and a performer. He is currently back on tour with "Corteo" in Japan. Working with master trainer Lu Yi and Circus Center, Jeff has also established an annual clown training program in Nanjing, China, working with professional acrobats.

Jeff started working in circus and New Vaudeville in the mid-70's, first with the small community troupe Everybody's Family Circus and then a big tent show called J.P. Booker's Early American Circus. He performed with the juggling/acrobatic quartet The Bay City Reds in 1978, who touring with Make*A*Circus in the summer.

Make*A*Circus was one of the first companies in the New Circus movement to experiment with storylines; Jeff wrote, directed and performed for the company periodically for two decades. Everybody's Family Circus and Make*A*Circus were also pioneers in what is now called 'social circus'.

In the early 80's, Jeff co-founded the seminal New Vaudeville company, Vaudeville Nouveau and worked with them until 1990. Vaudeville Nouveau created 5 original shows that toured across the U.S. and Europe as well as performing with the Flying Karamazov Brothers and others in the legendary Broadway show "Comedy of Errors", with Berkeley Repertory Theater, The Magic Theater and others. While working with Vaudeville Nouveau, Jeff founded and co-produced the San Francisco New Vaudeville Festival.

In the 90's, Jeff joined the Pickle Family Circus, partnering with Diane (Pino) Wasnak and training with acrobatic master Lu Yi. He toured the world with the Pickles and with a duet show "Pino and Razz" for 8 years. He also directed and produced shows with the Pickles and for numerous corporate and community events.

Over the years, Jeff has also performed as a juggler, clown and acrobat with Song Circus, Bracebridge Dinner and hundreds of special events and benefits.

Jeff, his wife, Sherry and a number of other Alameda parents produce an annual show Circus for Arts in the Schools to raise funds for arts education. www.circusforarts.org

Circus - Pino & Razz - Corporate Events - Solo Clowning - Circus of Song