About Jayna Lee

Jayna was born in Richmond, Virginia. She spent a lot of time with her grandmother, June Colgin, who inspired in her a love of the circus. Every year, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus would come to town, and June and Jayna would be there. After the trapeze, the lions, and the acrobats, they would come home full of stories and cotton candy. It has been Jayna's dream to be in the circus ever since.

At age 10, her family moved to Concord, NC, and Jayna discovered the Renaissance Festival. She decided to pursue her performance dreams beginning with this venue. Beginning as a court jester and graduating to performing her own show on stage, Jayna soon found herself simultaneously managing life on the road and college courses at UNC Greensboro. In 2004, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. She bought a truck and a trailer, got her first dog form the animal shelter, and took her show on the road full time.

In the years that followed Jayna married fellow performer Dextre Tripp, bought a house, bought a trapeze rig, worked with the circus, and saw one dream come true after another. She wakes up every morning grateful to have such a fulfilling career. Now rapidly approaching old age, for a gymnast at least, she is focused on writing, learning new tricks, and being a good person. She would like to help inspire others, and would one day like to manage her own animal shelter. Until then, she is happy performing her aerial acrobatics show for audiences across the United States and hopefully abroad!

May all your days be circus days!