Homework #1

Yes, we do sometimes have homework in circus school that requires using our brains and not just our brawn. Our first assignment was to identify two acts online that inspire us and write a couple paragraphs about why. Here's what I wrote. Read it if you want, but definitely check out the links to the acts. They are both really great. And let me know what you think...

Circus school study buddies homework session
over at Kelsey and Morgan's place.

Assignment #1

I chose two very different partner acro pieces for this assignment. In the first one, titled You & Me, we are drawn into an intimate moment between two young lovers. I like acts that tell a story and start by setting the scene for the audience. In this one we are sitting with the lovers under the stars. He alternately points out constellations and looks lovingly into her eyes. These first moments transition easily into the body of the piece, which highlights the skills of these two well rounded performers in dance, theatrics, acrobatics, hand balancing and contortion. The music and costumes are simple and add to the delicate tension. You really believe they are in love. 

The act itself is gorgeously choreographed, employing movements and shapes that enhance the tricks and allow the lines of the performers bodies to echo and compliment each other. There are so many beautiful little moments, like when she arches to lie down under his handstand. He balances over her in a split with his back leg bent, and she gently pushes his foot into the air once, twice. A number of times throughout the piece she provides a solid platform for his handstand. Her shapes and strength in these moments are impressive. The aspects I love most about this piece are the emotion that is communicated, the acrobats' skills as dancers, and their solidness and strength that adds to the levity and apparent effortlessness of the tricks. 

The second act employs more dynamically powerful tricks and movement than the first. These two women are warriors, super-heroines, amazons, pirates. They're connection is solid as they perform tricks in hand to hand, acrobatic drops, lifts and counter balances. It's an act that I could watch over and over again because of how quickly it moves through unique tricks and transitions. There is no less of a story here than in the first act, but more is left up to the imagination about who these two women are and what they are up to. It's an act that would be hard to watch sitting down, especially because the driving music makes me want to move or at least clap. The costumes are also fantastic. 

These two acts represent aspects of the strength, beauty, subtlety, and dynamism that I aspire to bring to my own act creation and performance. They also reflect an interest that I have in challenging limitations and stereotypes about what it means to be a female acrobat and performer. 

Enjoy!

Amanda