Coney Island USA's Sideshow School teaches beginners the tricks of the trade.

"Professa" Adam Realman has been running the school and was one of its students.

He says the key to fire eating is to start beginners slowly and safely. He says his goal is to revive a dying art that he calls the historical heart of America's sideshow culture.

Aside from fire eating, the school for 17 years has taught everything from sword swallowing to walking on broken glass.

For the first time this year, students are being allowed to take the stage alongside professionals at an actual performance.