There was a time when Jack Weinstock shied away from performing. While a student at San Marin High School, she found pleasure in the behind-the-scenes technical work she did through the school’s theater program.

Life looks a little different these days for Weinstock, who, on Saturday, will juggle a table and jars with her feet as part of Circus Bella’s “Hoopla!” show in West Marin, one of the stops of the circus’ 16th annual Circus in the Parks series.

The 2 p.m. show, which features acrobats, aerialists, clowns and more, is at Mesa Park at 100 Mesa Road in Bolinas. Admission is free, but a $20 donation is recommended.

Bring your own low-backed chair or blanket to the show. More information at circusbella.org.

Ahead of the show, a “modern twist on a one-ring circus,” the Novato resident, who graduated from the Circus Center’s Clown Conservatory, took the time to speak about her work for Circus Bella as a foot juggler, roustabout and company artisan.

Q You’ve shared that Charlie Chaplin inspired you growing up, and at one point you worked as a Chaplin impersonator. How did Chaplin’s comedy influence you growing up?

A I always just loved being able to find humor, simplicity and the small joys in life. I grew up with Dick Van Dyke and “I Love Lucy” and all these clowns that were in my life. I felt like, where is this in our world anymore? Circus seemed to be my easiest access point to it.

Q You’ve focused a lot on behind-the-scenes work, including returning to San Marin High School to serve as their technical director for a time. What inspired you to then want to clown around?

A I wanted to take a mime class but found an intro to clowning one instead at the Circus Center. I was like, I can be as weird as I want to be. I don’t have to be masking all of this weirdness. People will watch me and be like that is normal. It opened up this possibility for me to feel a little less trapped and confined in how I was supposed to be presenting, which is quiet and to be not seen or heard, like just move the scenery. That was nice, freeing and exciting.

Q Was this realization at the conservatory?

A It was right before I went to the conservatory. At the clowning class, the teacher was like, “You should go to the conservatory.” I applied, and he didn’t tell me, but he had told the program director to come to the last show, which was our showcase of what we’ve been working on over that session. And she’s like, “Congratulations, you’re in.”

Q How did you get into foot juggling?

A At Circus Bella, our production manager, Carlo Gentile, who’s a foot juggler, was doing an act. I looked at that like, wow, that looks hard. I could never. And then, five years later, I’m on my back in China kicking things for six hours a day.

Q What made you decide to try it?

A I was visiting my brother, and I was in the airport a lot. I had many long layovers, and I got bored. I started trying to foot juggle my backpack out of a feeling that I needed to be doing something. The pandemic was starting to lessen, but I was itching to learn something, like I needed to be productive in some way.

Q When did you train in China?

A I went over there in mid-April last year and I was there for six months. It was a surreal experience. There are a lot of different types of foot juggling, and I focused primarily on jar foot juggling.

Q What else will you be doing at the show?

A True to my roots, I will also be carrying tables on and off and handing props to people. That’s how I started and continue on with Circus Bella is as a roustabout. I love that aspect of it, just making sure that other people have what they need to spread their little slice of joy.

Q Have you always been into making things?

A I’ve always drawn and made stuff. My dad’s a cabinetmaker so there were always tools lying around. I love a framework and having a problem to solve.

Q What are some of your favorite things you’ve made through Circus Bella?

A The clowns always manage to surprise me in delightful ways. One of our clowns plays the harmonica. One year, he’s like, “I’d love my harmonica to look like a banana.” So, we made him a banana harmonica holder.

Q How does it feel to be a part of something that at its core is about spreading joy?

A That is my favorite part of this. There’s a lot that’s happening in the world that you’re like, I feel very helpless. And then you go out and you perform and people are smiling and they are having a good time, and you leave feeling like can be enough — to spread some joy.