Fritz Grobe

For the first twenty years of his life, Fritz wanted to be either a designer for Lego or a mathematician. Then came juggling. While attending Yale University, he founded the Yale Anti-Gravity Society, the university’s juggling club. After leaving Yale, he turned to Celebration Barn Theater’s renowned performing arts school where he studied physical theater with Avner Eisenberg, Julie Goell, Fred Garbo and Tony Montanaro.

In 1993, he won the International Jugglers Festival individual championships, the first of his five gold medals at the festival. He also briefly held a world record for juggling way too many objects, bouncing 15 balls between two people.

Fritz was artistic director of the juggling and dance ensemble “blink” from 1995 to 2000, which won both the Dance Portland Professional Choreography Showcase and the International Jugglers Festival Team Championships in Las Vegas. blink toured theatrical venues for five years, including performances in London, Edinburgh, Montreal, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles.

From 2000 – 2001, Fritz served as the Managing Director of Celebration Barn Theater before creating two new touring productions: “Bride and Broom: A Story of Marriage & Messes” with Meghan Strell, directed by Avner Eisenberg, and “The Odd Company” a touring comedy & juggling production with Michael Miclon and Amanda Huotari.