September 2011
33 posts
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It’s an undisputed truth that circus life that tends to lend itself to a romantic, dramatic narrative. There’s a reason why the phrase “run away and join middle management at a global telecommunications conglomerate” doesn’t ignite the collective passions in our cultural psyche the way the promise of the midway does. It’s probably a large reason why so many of us were drawn to Cirque School in...
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Single Point Trapeze
The single point trapeze differs from the traditional trapeze in that it’s anchored not to two parallel spots, but a single point suspended from whatever it’s suspended from (hence, the name…those early circus folk were SHARP, I tell you!). As a result, the single point spins. And spins. And spins. I tried it once a few months ago, and I STILL get woozy just thinking about it. I was...
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Community
Community’s not only one of my favorite shows on television right now, it’s also a very important aspect of the arts (read: life). Whether it’s making a film, a play, a circus, a dance, or an over-sized street art mural, you need help. You can’t do it alone. Even your audience is a part of your community (read: if a tree falls…). In this world today, we get so caught up in our own shiz, our...
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October ‘11 CSLA Student Showcase Auditions
Here’s what I remember about my audition….. Yeah, not much. The whole thing was a blur. However, I witnessed some positively amazing auditions from my fellow students. Grace, strength, humor, unabashed sexiness…you name it, it was expressed. And my thanks to Aloysia, Rick and Elizabeth for making the afternoon not only about the auditions, but also about the community of...
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Just Another Cautionary Tale
Cirque School readers… I did something for you. I went to a Fabric Tricks 3 class, for a story for you. And the story is, I have no idea what the hell I’m doing on the silks. It was like trying not to die while climbing up a wet noodle. It was like a bulldog puppy trying to play with a paper bag. It was like I grew Popeye arms after an hour and a half of just trying to be up, off the...
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PRE-SHOW WIG-OUT
I jokingly told Kat that I was going to write this entry the night before my first performance in order to really capture my pre-show jitters. Except…now I realize I wasn’t really joking. But the really funny thing is, in the process of pacing back and forth and drinking yet another glass of water and listening to the song over and over again tonight, I found my inspiration…and it...
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Oooooh, that smell...
Los Angeles provided us with the usual late summer heat wave and the temp inside Cirque School went from a balmy 70 to a nearly unbearable 150 degrees farenheit…and of course, this all coincided with my rehearsal schedule really ramping up. Rosin only went so far to counteract the sweat that ensued. But aaaahh…all was not lost. For Elizabeth, the aforementioned trapeze...
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The Who: A Quick One (live at the Rock and Roll Circus) (this last one is only tangentially circus-related, but this is a great song and it will now forever evoke fond memories of ‘Rushmore.’)
* LJ
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WARNING: What follows actually belongs on a coffee...
The fabulous Lucinda K. and I were running through our routines on Saturday; Ms. K. being a far more experienced performer, had some incredibly valuable advice for me. However, our conversation rapidly degenerated into the following: REASONS WHY THE TRAPEZE MAKES A SUPERIOR BOYFRIEND 1. The trapeze is always there when you need it. 2. The trapeze allows you to express yourself freely. 3. The...
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Arnica
While chitchatting with a friend at work, I told him I had a mondo-bruise all the way around my knee from trapeze class last night. He replied with, “Whose fault was it?” And I was speechless. It blew my mind. Then I thought, “Oh, I guess most people don’t know that trapeze-ing really means beating and bruising yourself senseless with bars and ropes until your stronger...
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Hi. My name is Lisa, and I’m an aerial addict.
I’ve been thinking about performing ever since the last CSLA Student Showcase; the show was no rinky-dink affair – it was thought out to the very last detail. It’s an understatement to say I was truly astounded by what I saw my fellow students accomplish that night. Not just the tricks and routines, but the stories and emotion (I’m looking at you Kat!!). It was inspired – and inspiring. So when...
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