Aerial Evolution with Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion

This is a week of firsts on Aerial Evolution. We welcome our first man and first rigger, Bryan Donaldson! This is an episode I have been wanting to have since starting this podcast and I'm stoked Bryan was able to talk with us. I am a rigging neophyte and it was awesome getting to speak with such a world renowned expert. Bonus: Lydia Lara is back joining me as guest host! Many of you will know Bryan in association with his rigging course and company High Performance with a stellar client list including Hugh Jackman film The Greatest Showman, but did you know he had an impressive aerial career first? From the wild apparatus he learned on the fly to starting his rigging company, we dig into all of it on this episode. It's a long one so get cosy and enjoy! SHOW NOTES: High Performance Website http://www.highperformanceproductions.net/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/HighPerformance Insta: https://www.instagram.com/hprigging/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HPerformance Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/hpp Black Z: https://blackz.fr/ Join in on the conversation: On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo

I am thrilled to welcome this week's guest to Aerial Evolution. Not only is Erin Ball a phenomenal aerialist, but she is doing incredible work with and for the disability community. We begin the episode with how Erin first discovered aerial and what her career was like before an accident led to both of her lower legs being removed. (As there is a lot of information out there already about what happened, we don't spend much time on that, I provided a link below if you would like to read about what happened). What we do talk about is what it was like to reenter the circus world, what systems were and were not in place, as well as what Erin herself needed to learn both physically and mentally. We touch upon the history of circus and its impact (if any) on the work she creates. With Vanessa Furlong, she co-founded LEGacy Circus performance company, together and individually, they are doing AMAZING work for the disabled community. From education, to inclusion, to apparatus invention, they really are making sure everyone gets to be involved from on stage to off, circus really can be for everyone! Tune in to learn how! SHOW NOTES: Read about Erin’s accident in her own words (NOTE this contains graphic imagery of amputation, hospitalisation and suicidal ideation.) https://www.amputeeconcierge.org/blog-1/2019/1/31/hi-my-name-is-erin-ball www.kingstoncircusarts.com legacycircus.com Instagram: @erinballcircus @legacy_circus Local and national arts council grants and a few others: https://tangledarts.org/ https://www.challengedathletes.org/ https://www.teamcatapult.org/mission Join in on the conversation: On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo

This week I welcome Susan Murphy. In her 70's, Susan is a testament that you are never too old to fly. She is an inspiration to aerialists everywhere proving what career longevity can really look like. As always the episode starts with how she began her aerial dance career (from the Mother of Aerial Dance, Terry Sendgraff herself!) and just how far both Susan and aerial have come. We move on to the twists and turns that led her husband, Don, to creating the carbon fiber trapeze bars he is known for as well as her love a poetry and performing aerial with spoken word. We discuss her teaching style as well the Laban method, what it is and how it changed her creative process.  It has been a pleasure getting to know Susan while making this episode, I can only imagine how special it must be to work with her. If you are need of a dose of inspiration this is the episode for you! After listening you'll want to be sure to click the link below to see Susan's aerial and spoken word performance from her Arts and Humanities Award we discuss on the show! Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: For more about Susan and Marsh Studio visit https://themarshstudio.com/ Instagram @themarshstudio See Susan’s spoken word solo for Arts and Humanities Award here See couch piece for Pandemic performance, 2020 here Join in on the conversation: On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo

Joining me this week is professional aerialist, coach, choreographer, producer, and director, Veronica Blair; I could not be more excited! In addition to her amazing career, I wanted to have Veronica on because we share a passion for circus/aerial history. The episode begins with an overview of Veronica’s unique experience training with top masters in each of the disciplines she has undertaken and the perspectives they each brought. Including the fact that she was raised by clowns and the wildness that is UniverSoul Circus. (Side note we all so need to see this!) Then we dive into The Uncle Junior Project, an evolving documentary she launched in 2010, highlighting the long history of African-Americans in circus. We discuss the impetus for this project, obstacles she faced, and where it is now. We close with the creation of her latest film, The Crown, featuring African-American female performers. Be sure to check out the notes below for links to her website as well as for The Uncle Junior Project and to stream The Crown. SHOW NOTES: For more about Veronica visit her website: www.VeronicaBlairAerial.com For more about The Uncle Jr Project visit: https://www.unclejrproject.com/ To see The Crown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-pqinZTKqQ&ab_channel=VeronicaBlair Follow on Insta: @veronica_blair_aerialist @unclejrproject Follow on FB:https://www.facebook.com/VeBlair https://www.facebook.com/UncleJrProject/ Join in on the conversation: On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo

In this episode of Aerial Evolution I have the pleasure of speaking with Sarah Poole, choreographer and aerial coach at National Circus School in Montreal. Among the topics Sarah and I discuss are circus vs aerial and why one goes to see them. Sarah brings with her an interesting dance perspective as well as an American turned Canadian one. Tune in to find out why she made the jump in both countries and careers. SHOW NOTES: Follow Sarah on Insta For more about the National circus school: https://ecolenationaledecirque.ca/en Join in on the conversation: On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo

In this episode Lydia Lara is back to help me kick off Season 2 with a discussion of things we learned last season and what is left to cover. It’s a lot! One thing that became clear during recording this episode is this podcast isn’t going anywhere for a while. So be sure to subscribe to our mailing list www.aerialevolutionpod.com and reach out if you have any thoughts or comments about the show! Aerial Evolution is funded through the kind support of you, the listeners, so if you are a fan and can afford a one time or monthly donation it is very much appreciated and 100% goes into keeping this going. There is a paypal donation button on the website. Thank you! Aerial Evolution is produced and edited by Rowan Metzner. SHOW NOTES: For more about Lydia Lara: http://aerialconexions.com/ Instagram: @theaerialmermaid Facebook: @theaerialmermaid Join in on the conversation: On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo

In this Season One Finale Episode of Aerial Evolution, Rowan and Jane have a conversation with Italian Vertical Dance choreographer and researcher Wanda Moretti. She shares her journey as the first dancer in Italy to have undertaken this particular art form and why as well as some of the larger global history including the influence of the Moon landing, her book about the history of Vertical Dance, Vertical Dance Pathways and her side passion researching how structured space influences human movements. Wanda explains her specialist technique, called Vertical Suspension Training, what goes into being a Vertical Dancer and her personal performance style in which space and movement merge in a single scene. One of her amazing projects they talk about is bringing Vertical Dance into the women’s prison system offering a rare opportunity for shared language, cooperation, and creativity! This episode is a must for any Vertical Dancer! Great News! Aerial Evolution will be back for Season Two! So be sure to subscribe, follow us on social and on our website for details! SHOW NOTES: Wanda’s Vertical Dance Company: Il Posto www.ilposto.org Wanda’s Research: https://www.verticaldanceroutes.com Vertical Dance Network: http://www.verticaldancecompany.com Facebook: @wanda.moretti @ilpostodanzaverticale @verticaldancecentre Instagram: @wandamoretti2020 @ilpostodanzaverticale @verticaldancenetworkofficial @verticaldancecentre Join in on the conversation: On our website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan and Jane Aerial Evolution is produced and edited by Rowan Metzner. Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo.

In this episode of Aerial Evolution, Rowan and Jane have a conversation with New Zealand aerialist Deb Pope. Deb was one of the very first aerialists in London. In this episode she recounts what brought her to England, those scrappy early days, the massive obstacles they faced and just how far the artform has come. While Deb has had a thrilling and rewarding career that includes performing worldwide on some of the largest stages as well as avant garde ones, she now finds more fulfillment than ever through teaching. Deb’s career arc proves that it is possible to continue to surprise yourself, learn, evolve and share especially within this community. SHOW NOTES: For more about Deb and her company visit: http://www.awkwardproductions.co.nz/index.html Join in on the conversation: On our website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan and Jane Aerial Evolution is produced and edited by Rowan Metzner. Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo.

In this episode of Aerial Evolution, Rowan and Jane have a conversation with twins, Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion, founders of Nimble Arts and NECCA. This is a meaty episode so get cosy! It begins with discussions about Elsie and Serenity’s surprising introduction to circus and aerial and how that led to a lifelong career working with major companies including Ringling and Cirque du Soleil. They then dig into an impressive amount of US circus history, the shaping of aerial linguistics and the 2 types of aerial festivals, circus and dance. The episode closes with the foundation of their own circus school, the New England Center for Circus Arts and it’s evolution. SHOW NOTES: For more about NECCA and to apply for the teacher training program: https://www.necenterforcircusarts.org/ For more about Elsie and Serenity’s company Nimble Arts: http://nimblearts.org/ Insta @neccacircus FB For Serenity: @Serenity-Smith_Forchion and For Elsie: @GeminiTrapeze Join in on the conversation: On our website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook both are @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan and Jane Aerial Evolution is produced and edited by Rowan Metzner. Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo.

In this episode of Aerial Evolution, Rowan and Jane have a conversation with Melissa Colello. Melissa studied at Ecole Nationale de Cirque (ENC), where she was the first student to develop a dance trapeze act. After touring internationally with the aerial arts collective Les Arts Sauts, Melissa co-founded CirkVOST, a French aerial contemporary circus company. Her vast career is all encompassing including being an aerial choreographer and coach for major events and intimate shows such as the Sochi Olympic Games, MGM Macau, Luc Petit Creation, the Qing show, Cirque du Soleil. Her style varies just as much from German cabaret to traditional circus. She is now back in Montreal and working on creating an aerial festival. Melissa reached out to us after listening to our first episode in which Lydia Lara mentioned wanting to know who the first person was to put a swivel on the trapeze, person found! This surprise guest was a delight to get to know and a welcome addition to our podcast. SHOW NOTES: Insta @melissa_colello www.cirkvost.eu Join in on the conversation: On our website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan and Jane Aerial Evolution is produced and edited by Rowan Metzner. Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo.