Creating Community
Moving from a different country, let alone to a town I had never heard of before, hasn’t been easy. Integrating into an already tight-knit village where every family has known each other for multiple generations has felt almost impossible to feel like I can make friends here. The cultural shock is also an isolating feeling- topics of conversations or activities I can’t relate to make me feel like an outsider. Like I don’t belong.
Luckily, there was someone I felt I was able to connect with. Someone who was searching for something similar as me. With our common goal, Kayla came into my life and we worked hard to establish the ground work for something new and different to bring to the village. Combining our strengths, passions and expertise we created a place for the outsiders.
Bringing Aerial Circus Theater to town has been the best thing I have done for myself. I have stopped trying to integrate in order to fit in, I now attract the people who don’t.
Photo by Iden CrockettIt’s not easy to try and explain to people what it is you do when you say “I’m in a circus group.” No, we don’t tame lions or jump through hoops, although that’s not too far off of an assumption. Circus forces you to take a hard look at yourself and let go of the things that scare you. Circus is about bravery and hard work, but it’s also silly and fun and gifts you the opportunity to grow in a way that you can’t do anywhere else.
Circus is also about teamwork. Getting to know the person you are about to trust your life with, and make a joke about it! You have to learn to trust each other.
Photo by Iden CrockettKayla and I recently debuted our very first performance in the village of Yellow Springs, Ohio. We learned a lot about all the details that goes into putting on a show and to be honest, a lot of it was hard. Scheduling, creating, teaching and general oversight was no easy task, but what made the whole thing worth it was the circus community we had created. Our group of performers stepped up in ways that felt invaluable. For the first time, I didn’t feel isolated. This is the community I feel a part of. The circus people. The Outsiders.
Photo by Matthew CollinsBelow are a few testimonials from Ensemble members on the latest performance:
“Maya and Kayla are an excellent teaching duo that bring their separate strengths together to create an accessible and welcoming learning environment. Maya’s passion for aerial shines through in every aspect of her teaching, and Kayla’s knowledge and passion for performance art is a real asset to GravityWorks Circus. Their support and patience gave me the confidence to do things I didn’t think previously possible. I feel fortunate to have aerial classes so close to home, and I can’t wait to learn more from them!”
“Becoming a part of GravityWorks has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. The skills, the strength, and the confidence I’ve built over my time here has been absolutely wonderful. Maya and Kayla both bring such enthusiasm to teaching you cant help but be excited to learn.”
Photo by Iden CrockettIf you are interested in joining our circus community, welcome!
Aerial classes are listed on our website whether you are interested in Youth Classes or Adult Classes.
In the meantime, follow us on social media to stay tuned on dates and events.
