Direct from China, the National Circus of the People's Republic of China, performing Cirque Chinois, comes to Givens Performing Arts Center at UNC Pembroke on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m.

The troupe was founded in 1953, making it one of the longest running and most distinguished circus troupes in China. The event is Educators Night at GPAC. Educators will receive a discount ticket for the performance.

The National Circus of the People's Republic of China is especially acclaimed in China because of the unique acts in their program such as Great Teeterboard, Grand Flying Trapeze, Group Contortion, Straw Hats Juggling, Girls' Balance With Bowls and many other outstanding acts.

Many of the artists in the troupe have won international awards, including Ms. Li Liping, the first Golden Clown winner from China at the renowned Monte Carlo International Circus Festival; and Madame Xia Juhua, the "Chinese Ulanowa" of the circus world and chairwoman of the International Chinese Circus Society since the early 1980s.

The company has won more than 20 gold and silver medals and various other awards at international circus festivals, including the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, Cirque de Demain, Wuqiao International Circus Festival, Wuhan International Circus Festival and China National Acrobatic Competition.

During the 1980s, the company started to change the concept of the "animal circus" to a new style of "non-animal circus," which influenced the then-pioneers of "Cirque du Soleil," who invited many coaches from the company to teach them acts that culminated in the revolutionary program "Circus Reinvented!"

The company has toured in 80 countries around the world.

Tickets range from $12-$25. For more information, contact the GPAC box office at 910-521-6361, or visit the GPAC website, www.uncp.edu/gpac.