Circus Voices

In this week’s episode, Social Circus Stars, we will be taking a listen to 6 local stories about individual circus practitioners from around the world. In collectively sharing these voices, we hope to capture a sense of what it is like to practice Circus as a tool for social change and what motivates so many of us  to want to do so. Guests: Jessica Hentoff of Circus Harmony in St. Louis, US. Learn more.  Paulina Chodnicka of Odskocznia in Warsaw, Poland. Learn more.  Javier Morales Gonzales of Malabicirco Compañia in Valparaíso, Chile. Learn more.  Kristy Seymour of Circus Stars in Queensland, Australia Agata Quintero of Escuela de Circo del Caribe in Cartagena, Colombia Jamie Moore  of Stiklings in Stoke-on-Trent, U.K.

In this week’s episode, Academic Frontiers, researchers Adam Woolley, Dr. Veronique Richard, and Dr. Dean Kriellaars get together to discuss and share some of their scientific curiosities and thoughts about the beneficial impacts of Circus. Guests: Adam Woolley  was the Creative Outreach Director for the Circadium School of Contemporary Circus in Philadelphia, PA. He's been a circus coach for the past 10 years, has served on the Board of Directors for the American Circus Educators Association, helped to produce contemporary circus showcases in NYC and Philadelphia and served as an advocate for the circus arts throughout his career. Learn more.  Dr. Veronique Richard earned her doctoral degree in sport science from the University of Montreal then went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in sport psychology at Florida State University. Her specialization in performance psychology and creativity has brought her to work in both research and applied environments. Learn more.  Dr. Dean Kriellaars Scientific Director, Center for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, Ecole nationale de cirque, Montreal Canada. His research is directed to physical literacy for wellness, in rehabilitation as well as in high performance circus and sport. He has pioneered physical literacy tools and programs that have been adopted internationally. Learn more. 

In this fourth and final episode of Circus Voices presents Circus Re-Imagined, we welcome Kenneth Feld, Chairman & CEO at Feld Entertainment. This legendary impresario has steered the reins of live family entertainment for over half a century, facilitating the thrills and wondersChildren of All Ages have come to cherish with such properties as the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & BaileyThe Greatest Show On Earth®

On this episode we welcome, Lisa B. Lewis, Founder & Executive Director at Omnium Circus. Propelled by a stirring desire for an even more inclusive big top - this author, artist, and scholar would endeavor to birth the kind of circus that would welcome, not only, the multicultural talents the genre is renowned for, but create an authentically inclusive space for the contributions and artistry of the multi-abled community, all the while servicing and accommodating the diverse needs of its audience. The kind of circus the New York Times hails as, “genuinely extraordinary.”

Johnathan Lee Iverson and the CircusVoices podcast presents Chris Lashua, the BMX wonder kid turned visionary founder of one of the circus world’s most ingenious offerings, Cirque Mechanics. Paired with a team of brilliant creatives and a deep love for all things circus, the proud Massachusetts native has crafted a mesmerizing new world of circus artistry. Fusing the majesty and agility of the human form with the innovative precision of machines, Cirque Mechanics has astounded audiences across the entertainment spectrum and is heralded by the New York Times as, “exceptional, evocative…and…engrossingly entertaining.”

Johnathan Lee Iverson and the CircusVoices podcast presents the legendary Vanessa Thomas, dazzling showgirl to history making ringmaster. In this episode, the proud alumna of the storied Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, guides us through her spectacular journey from aspiring dancer in her native Philadelphia to center ring with the likes of Big Apple Circus and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, The Greatest Show On Earth® to now, sharing her time tested wisdom as a cherished board member and mentor for Circadium, School of Contemporary Circus – nurturing the circus professionals of tomorrow. Johnathan Lee Iverson from Center Ring is the host of this podcast. Circus Voices, a podcast by CircusTalk.com, features engaging conversations with acclaimed  international experts including professional artists and talent seekers, creative leaders, influential coaches and teachers, and industry innovators. These interviews offer you insight into the diverse and dynamic world of circus and performing arts.

Zinzi Oegema, Understanding Circus Dramaturgy--Audio Explorations with the Editor Circus Voices, a podcast brought to you by CircusTalk is pleased to present an interview with Zinzi Oegama. In this episode of Audio Explorations with the Editor we speak to Zinzi Oegema. Zinzi Oegema is a circus artist, a director, a dramaturge, and an author based in Holland. In her book GRIP, produced with the support of TENT Circustheater Producties, Oegema set out to satisfy her own curiosity about the elements and methods that can be used to construct a circus show. Drawing on her own expertise and weaving in her interviews with seven circus directors, the book takes a non-linear approach to exploring the emerging codes of contemporary circus. Listen to the podcast to learn more about Oegama's work.

Circus Voices, a new podcast brought to you by CircusTalk is pleased to present a series called see u down the road with creators and co-producers Book Kennison and Zoë Kennison. In each episode, a circus artist tells the story of a big, transformational moment in their life – and the aftermath. Heart-wrenching, funny, and real, see u down the road is an unprecedented piece of work in circus media. In episode 5, Sebastian Kann and Natalie Oleinik explore what remains of a show they planned, but never executed. They read an excerpt from the new book Thinking Through Circus, to which they contributed. Visit CircusTalk.com, the leading online network and resource for circus professionals, for show notes and additional episode information.

Circus Voices, a new podcast brought to you by CircusTalk is pleased to present a series called see u down the road with creators and co-producers Book Kennison and Zoë Kennison. In each episode, a circus artist tells the story of a big, transformational moment in their life – and the aftermath. Heart-wrenching, funny, and real, see u down the road is an unprecedented piece of work in circus media. In Episode 3, aerialist and contemporary dancer Léah Wolff discusses the experience of being unemployed as a circus artist – a situation the entire circus world finds itself in at the moment. Also, co-producers Book Kennison and Zoë Kennison share audio snapshots they’ve received from artists around the world in quarantine, stuck on ships, and otherwise waiting, as we all are, to find out what happens next.  Visit CircusTalk.com, the leading online network and resource for circus professionals, for show notes and additional episode information.

Circus Voices, a new podcast brought to you by CircusTalk is pleased to present a series called see u down the road with juggler and musician Book Kennison and co-producer Zoë Kennison. In each episode, a circus artist tells the story of a big, transformational moment in their life – and the aftermath. Heart-wrenching, funny, and real, see u down the road is an unprecedented piece of work in circus media. In Episode 1, aerialist and acrobat Elliana Hentoff-Killian tells the inside story of her time as a human cannonball on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.  Visit CircusTalk.com, the leading online network and resource for circus professionals, for show notes and additional episode information.