He practiced what he preached about performance and teamed with Randy Judkins to present a teams act at the IJA Fargo convention in 1980. The two came on stage dressed as musicians, took juggling props from their music cases and juggled to a Strauss waltz.

 

Unexpectedly pulling props out of their unusual carrying cases was a manifestation of Judkins' mastery of comic timing. Garbo and Judkins knew that comic timing can have a powerful impact in a juggling act, and the lesson became part of their performance.

 

Garbo taught circus arts at Ringling Clown College with Jacobs in 1979, then began a successful and enriching three year association with Michael Moschen and Bob Berky. The three called themselves "Foolsfire," and their creative talents lit up audiences around the world. From the opening routine where they rolled balls all over the stage until the fire swinging finale, their show helped establish juggling as an integral component of New Vaudeville performance.

 

"I wasn't turned off by juggling, but I realized I wanted to go at it more theatrically than technically," he said. "You want a high skill level, but the setup and theatrics around the juggling are definitely as important to serve the piece you're presenting."

 

Garbo believes his former partner, Michael Moschen, is leading the way into the future of theatrical skills performance. "I really believe he's a current day Michaelangelo. He's an artist, dedicated to digging and practicing the craft. He's always working because he can't help himself. When we were in Australia he'd stay in his hotel room practicing, developing things and fine tuning his act. He's a real inspiration and joy to be around, a real perfectionist. And you know, Michaelangelo's art has stood by itself for centuries... "

 

Being an art student in school provided Garbo with the ability to design and build a house and studio barn near Norway , Maine, where he has lived since 1974 whenever he is not on the road. The contemporary cedar-sided home boasts a well­equipped rehearsal studio, complete with high ceilings to accommodate juggling practice and professional, non-skid flooring  for choreography workouts.