As a fifth generation circus performer, Jan Ashton- Rodriguez has been an active member of the circus industry since birth. Jan began performing as a child with Ashton Circus, her family’s internationally famous circus company that was first licensed by act of parliament in 1851 to James Henry Ashton. The family maintained Jame’s traditional Bareback Equestrian act, which Jan performed alongside her future husband and later with her children until 2004. Jan also performed a variety of aerial acts, including trapeze, Spanish Web and the daring Iron-Jaw Cradle act, and now serves as the circus’ ringmaster.
Jan spent time as a 6-year-old child in the wings of the Tivoli Theatre circuit alongside her mother, Phyllis Ashton O.A.M., and toured New Zealand with the circus/pantomime The Clown Who Lost His Circus. She even performed Trapeze beneath a hot air balloon during the tour. In 2001, Jan opened Circus Xsavia with her family until 2004, before pursuing other opportunities as an administrator for international circus productions. In 2009, Jan co-founded Ashton Entertainment with her husband and two daughters, Chantel and Tamara.
