Meet the Team

Kelly "Texas" Holly

Chief Creative Strategist
Kelly “Texas” Holly is a singer, dancer, and physical comedian who has built a career out of making people laugh—on purpose. A native Texan, she grew up in the Dallas area, attending Berkner High School before earning a BA in Dance from the University of North Texas.
After graduating, Kelly headed to San Francisco to train at the renowned Clown Conservatory, where she studied clowning, mime, acrobatics, physical comedy, and circus skills—useful tools for both stage performance and occasionally managing large groups of children.
She went on to perform and teach at the San Francisco Circus Center, where she also served for fifteen years as Director of Camp and Community Engagement. In that leadership role, she developed programs for a wide range of participants, from youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities to Stanford Business School students—proving that circus skills are useful in many environments, including boardrooms.
Kelly also launched city-funded collaborative programs that brought circus arts into underserved San Francisco communities, helping thousands of young people discover confidence, creativity, and the occasional ability to juggle.
A founding member of JoyRide Circus, Kelly is the creative mind behind the organization’s circus skills workshops. Known for her energy, humor, and ability to wrangle both children and adults, she is thrilled to bring her experience—and a little joyful chaos—back to the Dallas area.
Ben Allen

Vice President Of Buffoonery
Ben Allen was born and raised in Texas and is an experienced clown, comedy writer, and children’s circus instructor. He trained at San Francisco’s Clown Conservatory and the San Francisco School of Circus Arts.
In addition to performing and teaching at the San Francisco Circus Center, Ben has toured with numerous circuses, including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. He is a founding member of JoyRide Circus and serves as the troupe’s video content creator.
Ben is thrilled to be back teaching and performing in his home state of Texas.