Rope and Fabric
Trapeze
Lyra
Sling and Net
Any Apparatus
Handstands and Ground Movement
Flexibility and Contortion
Act Creation Intensives
Other Workshops
Earlybird registration goes til Feb 25, after which 10% will be added to all workshop costs.
Saturday, March 16 from 10:00 – 12:00 am in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
In this workshop, you will learn choreography filled with intricate nuances, tricky transitions and whimsical wraps. T is known for his unique and vivid transitions. This workshop will spark new ideas in your mind and hopefully challenge your perceptions of what silks can do for you.
Prerequisites: Be advanced. Have endurance.
Saturday, March 9 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
In this class, we will be focusing on fun and unusual fabric moves,
transitions, and phrases cultivated from Tanya’s personal collection of original repertoire over the years; working fabrics together, split fabric, and open fabric. Designed for the advanced intermediate student, we will focus on creating and honing beautiful, creative, and efficient transitions between standard and original repertoire with movement quality in mind. These movements are open ended, with the intention of the student taking them and creating their own version or add-ons, so that you can be re-inspired in your studio practice.
Prerequisites: Two years consistent study of aerial, and solid technique. Must be working straight arm straddle ups, have a decent windmill and have a moderate to high flexibility range.
Sunday, March 10 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
This workshop is for newer aerialists who have tried a few drops and want to learn more comprehensive strategies to work with them as they progress. We’ll break down strategies for slowing down, speeding up, changing directions and launching that you can take with you long term.
Prerequisites: Inversions from a Climb, Same Side or Opposite Side Straddle Climb, Front Salto, Single Star
Sunday, March 10 from 3:00-5:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
This workshop will focus on advanced drops that change directions, have multiple rotations and take advantage of the Cathedral’s unique height.
We will work on dynamic wraps and entrances as well as using the recoil from a drop to “pop” into another position.
Prerequisites: Students should be at an advanced level on fabric with solid double star, fast windmill and back salto.
Monday, March 11 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
In this workshop for fabric enthusiasts and aerial brainiacs Anna will walk you through puzzles and games galore. You’ll be activating your brain AND your muscles as well as building creative problem solving skills while playing along.
Prerequisites: Must be able to climb aprox 20ft up the fabric.
Can invert in the air through tuck or straddle.
Experience with multiple pose based skills
Monday, March 11 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
In this workshop Anna will guide you through her series of techniques for innovation on fabric. How do you take a skill you have seen over and over again and make it your own? How can you find new transitions? Where do you start? How do you know you’re still safe? What do you do if you’re not feeling that “creative”?
Come to this workshop with a skill or sequence in mind and you will begin to unlock its endless potential.
For advanced beginners and up.
Tuesday, March 12 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
This workshop will explore a selection of the fundamental pieces and parts of ascending, descending and rotational movement. Students will then learn a specifically designed sequence that emphasizes structure, progression and the methodology to combine it all to tell a mesmerizing story.
Students can expect to learn new skills and methods that translate and interconnect in many meaningful ways. Together we will twist, spiral, invert, roll, wrap and construct our way up, down and through the vertical canvas.
Level: Intermediate and up on rope.
Wednesday, March 13 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
“Let’s play Belay” Get to know the versatile Belay wrap in this workshop which will explore entrances, poses, drops, exits and partner work from Belay.
Prerequisites: Students should be able to invert in the air repeatedly and have endurance to work on split fabric sequences for 3 minute intervals.
Thursday, March 14 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
You don’t have to do release moves to make an amazing rope act. There, I said it.
Dynamic Transition (on rope): A movement that starts in one wrap, hitch, or open pose, and uses momentum or gravity to help move the body to a different wrap, hitch, or pose in one rotation or less.
We may do some half releases, but there will be nary a pirouette in sight. One catch does not a rope act make, you Trick Fascists.
J-flips, cartwheels, front flips, jump throughs, roll outs, roll ups, jump ropes, all the beats, et cetera.
Prerequisites: Strong bell beats, scissor beats, back balance, working C-shapes, mostly decent one arm hang.
Friday, March 15 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
This workshop is geared towards those who love to get their stretch on and use flexibility in the air. Over the course of this class we will go through a series of exercises to warm up and activate flexibility safely and then get up and use it! Expect part flex class and part aerial extravaganza of splits, backbends, straddles and open shoulders!
Prerequisites: Able to climb to the top of the fabric 2x in a row without losing grip strength.
Comfortable sitting into footlock splits.
Working on front balance & back balance.
Able to hold a bridge on the floor with straight elbows for 10sec.
Friday, March 15 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
Footlocks can deliver more than the classic split! Spiraling movements, dives and drops, roll ups, intricate sculptural shapes and surprising transitions are all possible from footlocks.
And not all footlocks are created equal! In this workshop we will explore creative applications for some standard and lesser known variations.
Students can expect to learn: fabric knot theory, footlock combinations, half lock skills, climbs using footlocks, shapes and creative movement skills using footlocks appropriate to their technical skill and strength level.
Prerequisites: figure 8 footlock, aerial dance footlock (egg beater)
Monday, March 11 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $60
Come learn the building blocks of duo trapeze movement from a professional duo that has been working together for over a decade! We will cover the basics like communication, grip, and hanging alignment for both base and flyer, as well as introduce how to effectively use momentum for fundamental skills like mounts and various positions.
Tuesday and Wednesday March 12 and 13 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $120/person for both classes OR $65 per class
In this 2-part series, come learn the timing and body positions necessary for momentum-based duo trapeze skills and sequencing. We will dive into counter-tempo technique, learn drills and progressions for release tricks, and use hand spots and safety lines to try them out! It’s a good idea to come with a partner or at least know there are some folks you feel comfortable flying or basing in the class.
Friday, March 15 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
This is a low-flying dance trap exploration to help us discover what we can do without using our hands to move around, onto, and off of the trapeze. How can we create shelves and stable places to rest on and under the bar? How can we hold on? How can we get off the trapeze? What can we do in the ropes? C-Shaping will come in handy here, but is not a hard and fast pre-req. Bring your sense of play and your youthful curiosity.
Prerequisites: Solid knee hangs, front balance, fall to catchers, and working on C Shaping.
Thursday, March 14 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
Feeling stuck in a choreo rut? Don’t know where to take your moves? Wanna get out of the standard routine? Come to T’s B*llsh*t Sequence workshop. The reason it’s called that is that T created this sequence generating series of prompts for days when you feel like everything you make is b*llsh*t. This workshop is great for any level of student comfortable with trapeze to advanced performers looking for a new method of choreography devising. Bring your mind, a note book and a camera to record your final result.
Saturday, March 9 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Blue Room
Cost: $50
Lyra is a beautiful apparatus and flexibility lends itself to it very nicely. Flowing from one pose to the next effortlessly is what we all want, transitions make the trick so learning to use your body’s flexibility will make it all the better. In this workshop we will be learning safe, strong & bendy poses and tricks to up your lyra game.
Prerequisites: Comfortable being upside-down, straight leg Straddle up, comfortable back bending, flat split in at least one position, able to pull foot to head
Tuesday, March 12 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
Would you like to get behind the wheel and take lyra for a test spin? In this workshop we will concentrate on techniques for spinning. Participants should be intermediate aerialists, however absolute beginner hoop artists are welcome!
Thursday, March 14 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
Start your engines and let’s play with interludes on hoop. What makes hoop a fun challenge is that there are less wraps to remember, so it’s all about how you go from point A to point B. In this workshop, we will approach creating transitions from many different methods. By the end of the workshop, you will have the tools to flesh out your 5 or 6 move sequence into a fully realized movement piece. This is a great workshop for those students who are eager to start putting together all the moves they are learning.
Prerequisites: Must be able to complete a sequence of 5 or 6 moves. Can be very simple skills, but confidence moving on hoop is great.
Saturday, March 9 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Cathedral
Wednesday, March 13 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
Aerial sling is a unique apparatus in that it’s extremely accessible to all levels, but can be used to create exciting new twists on repertoire from all other apparatus. We’ll be exploring my original sling material using rope and trapeze beats, flips, drops, rolls, and fun transitions. This workshop with give you a toolkit to add some pizazz and spark to shake up your sling routine, and get you comfortable moving fast.
Prerequisites: Comfortable working with straight arms and inverting in the air, knowledge and comfort with rope type body beats and creating momentum, experience with the dynamics of release moves and direction changing drops.
Tuesday, March 12 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
To succeed in this workshop you need some general aerial training, however, experience on the net is not necessary.
In this introductory workshop to this specialty apparatus we will get to know the net through three points of focus. Firstly, fussy apparatus management! Oh yes, this one’s a biggie and no one should be left without strategies. Secondly, we’ll learn to execute traditional net skills in order to create a basic knowledge and last but not least, Anna will guide you into creating your own vocabulary on the net.
Prerequisites: Able to climb a tissu or rope comfortably. Can invert in the air through tuck or straddle. Working on, or, master of pull overs.
Tuesday, March 12 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Blue Room
Cost: $50
This class is open to those who are trying sling for the first time as well as those who have taken sling before. It will cover skills, poses, and movement on the single-point sling.
Thursday, March 14 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
Explore this exciting apparatus using pathways and transitions unique to the nature of double loops. Participants will learn a sequence utilizing many of the different base positions available on this apparatus.
Thursday, March 14 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
Love trapeze, rope, and sling? Love to sway back and forth? Adore playful and surprising transitions? You might just fall in love with Cloud Swing! You’ll never know unless you try this workshop with Tamara, so come and give it a try – and if you love it, you can sign up for her cloud swing class next session!
Prereqs: 1B (advanced beginner) and up. Some trapeze and/or sling experience helpful.
Sunday, March 10 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
How do I connect the dots between tricks and really dance a movement phrase? In this workshop we will explore the importance of transitions in act creation. Bring a phrase (or at least two tricks that you’d like to string together) and come with ideas about music. We’ll choreograph AND dance!
Through the air they keep flying, like a duck that is dying
Instead of dance it’s choreography.
— Irving Berlin (White Christmas, Choreography)
Level: Beginners and up!
Wednesday, March 13 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Ballroom
Cost: $50
When learning Aerial, the technique of the skill is primary. As we become proficient with skills and sequences we’re able to begin moving beyond basic technique and start finding an our own unique, organic quality of movement.
In this workshop students will learn an easy and simple piece of choreography [or can feel free to bring their own piece] to explore various movement within. We will explore how make the most of timing, use of space, directionality, focus and full bodied movement. This will not only expose you to new techniques, skills and transitions but to a new perspective on creating dance like movements in the air. We will explore the use of many ideas in order to create work that surpasses skill and becomes art.
Level: All Levels/All Apparatus
Thursday, March 14 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $50
In this workshop, our whole goal is to examine what’s beyond “pretty”. Can we redefine grace and beauty in the air without keeping them stuck in gendered expectations. Come as you are, and find out how to elevate yourself to your own most fantastic movement quality in the air. Through different exercises, we will break down what is believed to be “graceful” and celebrate new expressions of mastery. All genders welcome.
Prerequisites: Advanced-beginner and up. Must have at least one sequence you are comfortable enough to experiment with.
Saturday, March 16 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Ballroom
Cost: $50
aka: “Who are you and why are you here?”
This workshop uses techniques borrowed from theatre that will help you find the character and story in your act and shape it into something compelling and memorable. Never do a boring gesture again. For solo and duo acts on any apparatus.
Saturday, March 9 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Ballroom
Cost: $50
Want to spend more time upside down? As you build a consistent handstand in this workshop you’ll do just that. Learn proper technique and drills you can practice alone and with a friends, working towards weight shifting and drills for one arms.
Putting an emphasis on core stability, shoulder mobility, and handstand transitions will contribute to a handstand practice that is safe, productive, and FUN.
Prerequisites: Comfortable being upside-down, Ability to kick up to handstand on the wall.
Sunday, March 10 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Ballroom
Cost: $50
This workshop is for those who are solid in their foundational handstand positions and are moving on to trickier projects. We’ll cycle through progressions for variations on that are off the traditional alignment like hands together, flags, crocs, hollow backs and presses.
Prerequisites: Regularly balancing for 20sec or longer in free space. Reasonably straight alignment in straight body, straddle and tuck body. Hovering L, tuck, or straddle sit on blocks, canes, or floor.
Thursday, March 14 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Ballroom
Cost: $50
We all want to move in a way that is aesthetically pleasing, feels fun and is safe to perform. In this workshop we’ll be focusing on exploring dynamic movement and expanding our repertoire of skills. Moving in and out of handstands, incorporation dance & basic acrobatics. Creating a flow to take us through to the next scene. Focus will be on flowing movement, basic handstands, and stage presence.
Prerequisites: Comfortable going on your hands. Rolling backwards over back.
Monday, March 11 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Ballroom
Cost: $50
Functional Range Conditioning is a very effective method for increasing range of motion, creating active flexibility, and strengthening end range control. In this workshop, we’ll explore some of the fundamental concepts of the system, learn exercises, and discuss how to implement it in your training program. This work is appropriate for all levels and abilities as it is highly modifiable. If you’re interested in strong, healthy, and stable joints, this is the workshop for you!
Saturday, March 16 from 12:30 – 2:30 pm in the Ballroom
Cost: $50
This workshop explores inversions – the whole family of ground based inverted movements – as choreographic vocabulary. We explore the ways we can come into shapes and balance ourselves on our hands, arms, back, chest, and head, learning how to shift, share, yield, and pour our weight into the floor, the walls, and any props we can scare up to create an interesting landscape to dance in.
This workshop is good for aerialists who want to discover new movement for their entrances and exits, as well as folks looking to make acrobatic dances or ground acts who want something more than the same old cartwheels.
Prerequisites: Ability to kick up into a handstand on the wall comfortably. Low or no anxiety around attempting inversions in the middle of the floor. Cartwheels and backbends a plus. 🙂
Saturday, March 9 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Blue Room
Cost: $45
Flexibility is one of the key aspects of all circus arts. The ability to expand your body’s range of motion takes a lot of time and effort, but also intelligence to do it properly. This workshop is going to focus on teaching you the technique of flexibility. By combining passive flexibility and active flexibility, we will cover a vast range of flexibility training methods to help you discover your body’s custom flexibility regimen.
Saturday and Sunday March 9 and 10 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Blue Room
Cost: $120
Contortion is a beautiful ancient art based in movement and poise developed in Mongolia. I’ll teach you the basics to begin your contortion journey.
Focus will be on proper warm-up techniques, shoulder and back openers, and conditioning exercises for building a strong core.
We’ll working on controlled standing backbends, chest-stand prep, and drills for strengthening your back and opening your hips.
Prerequisites:
Able to bend forward and touch floor w/ straight legs
Bridge with straight arms chest on the wall
Splits or close to being flat
Able to pull foot to head in back arch (i.e pigeon pose)
Monday, March 11 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Blue Room
Wednesday, March 13 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Blue Room
Cost: $50
In this open level workshop circus artist Anna Thomas-Henry will guide you through her high energy flexibility regimen. She is serious about training adults to get flexible, get strong and advance safely whether they come to her with experience or not.
Over the course of this class you will work with techniques to open up your flexibility while staying stable and confident in your body through the process. If you are dreaming of that perfect “strong and flexible” balance, this workshop is for you.
Beginners and professionals welcome.
Tuesday, March 12 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Blue Room
Cost: $50
Learn the beautiful art of Contortion, a circus tradition going back hundreds of years. We will be learning how to warm up muscles properly and drills to gain deeper access of Flexibility. Focus will be on active flexibility to better help your training and deepen your existing flexibility. We will be going over how to properly do backbends, walkovers, cheststands, elbowstands, and handstands.
All levels welcome.
These workshops will all have showings at the Saturday matinee, March 17 from 4-6 pm. Talk to the instructor if you are available for the creation sessions but not the performance.
Saturday, March 9 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Ballroom
Sunday, March 10 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Cathedral
Saturday, March 16 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm in the Blue Room
Cost: $135
Every performer starts somewhere, and at VA, we believe that beginner aerialists have a lot to offer our aerial stage. In this Beginner Performance workshop designed especially for first-time performers, you’ll learn how to conceptualize, score, and jolt your first aerial act right to life! Back in the PNW fresh off a 3 year stint touring their music nationally, Courtnee is coming back to VA specifically to offer this workshop, bringing nearly 20 years performance experience to help jump start your stage dreams! Drawing from their 13-year aerial performance career, experience as a theater director, circus stage manager, and arts nonprofit co-founder, Courtnee is here to encourage and inspire the sh*t out of your newbie asses! By the end of this approachable, fun, low pressure 3-class series, you’ll have the opportunity to recite your new performance piece for a captive audience: though doing this is NOT a requirement to take the course! What is required, though, is a solid proficiency of any level 1 sequence, and a burning desire to eat up some limelight, someday. Don’t miss this one folks!
Saturday, March 9 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Cathedral
Sunday, March 10 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in the Cathedral
Monday, March 11 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Cathedral
Wednesday, March 13 from 5:15 – 7:15 pm in the Cathedral
Saturday, March 15 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $200
This workshop will give young performers the opportunity to experience creating in collaboration. We will explore different ways to use familiar apparatus with friends and how cooperation can fuel creation. At the end of the workshop there will be a presentation of our truly unique finished work.
Saturday through Wednesday, March 9 – 13, from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $150
An opportunity to research with a group of vertical conversant aerialists, rehearse, and perform a 5-20 minute piece. Time permitting, participants will explore working with multiple ropes, multiple performers on one rope, and ropes as counterweight apparatus (similar to the counterweight loop). The group will develop a piece with collaborative artistic direction by Terry Crane, to be performed at the end of the week.
Prerequisites: 2 years of experience with rope or tissue. 3 public performances on apparatus. Desire to work with other performers and to put oneself at the service of a cohesive show concept. Willingness to research, interpret artistic direction, and communicate with others. If there are questions about the above, contact Terry @ terry@acrobaticconundrum.com
Monday through Thursday, March 11 – 14, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Ball Room
Cost: $180
An extension of our regularly scheduled Dance Hammock class. This 4 (or 5) day immersion experience will build a group performance piece that will be performed on the show weekend. Performance is optional but encouraged.
Hammock can be a great exploratory and performance tool because it allows you to simply DANCE! Without the entanglement of a fabric tail or the defined edge of a steel bar, you can learn to feel as though you can move as freely as if there were nothing there at all!
This class will learn a complete piece of choreography over the week. We will explore specific technical skills, pathways and transitions that are particularly dance like in nature as we refine and develop our movement quality though practice and drills. We will also examine the space between the fabric loop and floor and supported floor choreography to enhance your hammock vocabulary. No background in dance or hammock is required. Level 1B
Thursday through Saturday, March 14 – 16, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Cathedral
Cost: $135
In this workshop, you will learn a choreography created by T and by the end we will perform it as a “company” set to music”. This choreography will be filled with intricate nuances, tricky transitions and whimsical wraps. T is known for his unique and vivid transitions. This workshop will spark new ideas in your mind and hopefully challenge your perceptions of what silks can do for you.
Level: Be advanced. Have endurance. You will be expected to be able to do gorgeous windmills, straddle switches, in air inversions many times…
Part One: Shoulder – Sunday, March 10 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Blue Room
Part Two: Shoulder/Trunk – Sunday, March 10 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm in the Blue Room
Cost: $75 per part
6 total hours of Anatomy and Kinesiology…with CLAY!! Build muscles in systems as pertaining to location and function for aerial. For example, build the rotator cuff, then add the big name muscles you always hear about but don’t really know what they do like the serratus anterior, Lats, biceps, deltoids, etc…and wham! You now really understand that shoulder! Or what about the mysterious Core?? Hint: it ain’t just yer abs, folks, but learn why by building each muscle in clay and affixing it to a 3 ft skeleton. Sooooooooo fun. Taught by master Pilates instructor, kinesiologist, and roll-up-on-the rope princess, PJ Perry, MS, NKT
Prereqs: none, except maybe a curious mind and idle hands. You may sign up for either half, or both.
Thursday, March 14 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the Ball Room
Cost: $40
Learn the art of stage makeup with Tamara!
Everybody’s favorite circus PT brings us not one but TWO workshops on anatomy for aerialists. Both are open to all, no prerequisites.
Cost: $50 for both or $30 apiece.
Thursday, March 14 from 7:30 – 8:30 pm in the Chapel
Learn how your core, hips, and shoulders work together to turn your body upside down. Figuring out which muscles are working, when, and why is the goal of this course. We will answer the questions of
When are my shoulders supposed to close?
How much and when should my spine round?
Why are inversions hard for me?!?
Once you understand how an inversion is supposed to work, we will discuss common mistakes and how to fix them to make everything from tuck-ups to straight-arm straddle-ups and even levers achievable
Thursday, March 14 from 8:30 – 9:30 pm in the Chapel
Create an aerial training plan that will push your limits while preventing injury. This class explores the science of what the body needs to become a strong, flexible, and dynamic aerialist.
Learn about the science of sleep and how it helps your training. Recognize the difference between muscle soreness and genuine injury, and how to respond to each.
The secret to unlocking that next skill, it turns out, isn’t what you expect.
Tuesday, March 12 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the Chapel
Cost: Free!
Join Rachel Nehmer, half of Duo Madrona and mom of two, in this discussion of strategies for maintaining/recovering both fitness and identity as an aerialist during pregnancy as well as post partum.