I got a excerpt from the Gamma Phi website, which by the way, is gammaphicircus.ilstu.edu:

How do students become involved in Gamma Phi Circus?

Membership in Gamma Phi is open to all full-time Illinois State University students, faculty, and staff regardless of major field of study, department affiliation, or gymnastics background.

Students who want to join the circus must audition twice, trying out for at least two acts. They are judged on their progress and skill development, cooperative spirit, variety and execution, and their potential as a circus performer. Students are judged by the circus directors and by Gamma Phi's student leadership-the captains of various acts. Each new member must fulfill a yearlong pledgeship, requiring him or her to attend practices, serve on various committees that help run the circus, and perform in two small exhibitions.

Beginning in the Fall with the first Monday evening of classes, (Spring semester, Monday and Thursday evenings) both active members and prospective members, attend practices. During this time, actives and prospectives work together learning skills, setting up and taking down equipment for practices, putting together acts for various performances, and most importantly - developing friendships that will last a lifetime. These practices are held in the South Gymnasium at Horton Field house beginning at 7 p.m.

Spring semester is spent developing and learning acts, making costumes, creating publicity materials, selling tickets, selling ads for the Circus Program Book, performing in Road Shows and of course, performing in the Home Shows.

Although membership in Gamma Phi Circus requires hard work, dedication, cooperation, and adherence to circus rules, the group is permeated with a spirit of cooperation and "togetherness."

GO GO Gamma Phi!