G: Tell us about what you do? What did inspire you to start?
I started as a dancer and was in in a dance group with a few friends, we got involved in a project for youth that BASSLINE CIRCUS organised, i really enjoyed it and they introduced me to Circus Space. There I specialised in a discipline called Aerial Straps, which is essentially two long belt like pieces of material that i wrap around my wrists and perform tricks similar to those on the gymnastic rings apparatus, with added spinning and ‘flight’ elements. Whilst at Circus Space there were a few students in the years above me that were training Straps and i tried them and i liked it, we are also encouraged to research artists and performances in videos and shows and i came across a video of a guy called Michael Lanphear training it and i saw that there was so much more to the discipline to learn.
G: How has the National Centre for Circus Arts influenced your career?
The National Centre (Circus Space) introduced me to the wider world of circus, prior to that i had the assumption that most people about circus, clowns, animals, tents and leotards. I learned about contemporary circus which is more modern, artist and meaningful, and this found more appealing to me. Without the National Centre i would not have the skills i do today or the knowledge about the circus industry.
G: What were your most successful shows so far or what projects did you enjoy the most so far?
A few months after graduating i signed a contract with a Canadian based circus company called Les 7 Doigts De La Main (7 Fingers of the hand), to be in one of their most successful shows called TRACES. I feel so lucky to be apart of this show as i saw it when i was in my first year at Circus Space when it came to London. After seeing another show of theirs PSY, and TRACES again for the second time, i knew that it was this type of show and company that i wanted to be apart of. I have been with the company for almost 2 years now and i plan on staying with them for a while.
G: Tell us a bit more about your current project?
TRACES is poetic and explosive, humorous and thoughtful. Combining traditional acrobatic forms with street elements such as skateboarding and basketball, mixed in with some theatre and contemporary dance, it surprises, awes and delights at every turn. It features 7 artists (6 guys and 1 girl) on stage for 90 minutes leaving their ‘Trace’ on the audience via sharing their stories, names, likes, dislikes even hight and weight; making the audience feel closer and connected to them. Along with making them question how will or how have they left their own ‘trace’ on the world.
G: Who/what are your favourite Artists/Businesses in the area?
A lot of artists and companies from around the world pass through the National Centre and its always nice to see new face there, as well as catching up with people i have met abroad. I would have to say that BASSLINE CIRCUS has a special place in my heart for they were the company that introduced me into circus and practically changed my life.
G: What are your favourite places in Shoreditch?
There are a few places around Shoreditch that hold fond memories, Bluu (now Bill’s) in Hoxton Square would be one of our go to places, as well as Trafik. Hoxton’s cafe does some great food, and the George and Vulture on Pitfield street does great pizza’s and does a pub quiz on tuesdays!
G: What are your future plans?
For now i am staying with the show TRACES, in the long term i would like to perform in other shows and perform in Circus festivals. Further in the future it would be nice to experience creating a show with friends and people i have met on my travels.
Twitter: @Freeze_pop (i aslo look after the Traces twitter account @tracesusa)
Facebook: also the Traces FB page www.facebook.com/tracesusa
