Circus from Feisworld
By Fei Wu
Circus from FeisworldFeb 15, 2020
Sabine van Rensburg and Brin Schoellkopf: Arial Silk and Tight Wire Artists from PASSAGERS, 7 Fingers
Sabine van Rensburg (@circusbean) and Brin Schoellkopf (@brin_schoellkopf) are two circus artists currently working in the show Passagers from 7 Fingers.
We met these two talented young artists through the artistic director of Passagers from 7 Fingers, Shana Caroll, who appeared in an earlier episode of Feisworld. Passagers (or Passengers in English) is opening in Boston on September 25th, 2019 and leaving the city on October 13th, 2019. Make sure to check out the show with your friends and family! Learn more >>
Sabine, originally from South Africa, is an aerial silk artist. Her parents founded a circus school where she learned to perform as a circus artist, the rest is history. Sabine embraced the opportunity before enrolling in the Montreal Circus School. Soon after graduation, she found herself busy working for 7 Fingers.
Brin was born and raised in Vermont, a jack of all trades type of Circus artist, he’s got a few impressive skills under his belt. He also works as a visual artist and videographer to promote other artists like himself.
What is “Passengers” about?
Departure vs. transit vs. arrival. Chance vs. choice vs. destiny. Stillness vs. acceleration. Reflection vs. transparency. Familiar vs. foreign. Private vs. public. Confinement vs. border-crossing. Bright headlights vs. tunnel-darkness. Past vs. Future…
Our fascination with trains is both a nostalgic one — dreams of another era, another land — and a symbolic one: life happens along this track of sorts, twisting and turning through valleys and plains. We speed through lands all the while staring out the window, at the reflection of our very own eyes superimposed upon the shifting landscape. Tearful goodbyes, anticipatory reunions. Fateful encounters inside the cabin. A community of strangers with one thing in common: we all have somewhere to go. Our reasons for leaving may differ but we are joined in a moment of suspended limbo between two lives, as we say goodbye to one and prepare for another.
Show Notes, Tools and Resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/sabine-van-rensburg-brin-schoellkopf
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Vladmir Lissouba and Connor Houlihan: Porters from La Galerie, Machine de Cirque
Vladmir Lissouba (Instagram) and Connor Houlihan (Instagram) from the incredible circus show called “La Galerie” (The Gallery) from Machine de Cirque. Adam Leffert (Associate Producer of Feisworld Podcast) also joined us as a co-host after watching the show during the Montreal Circus Festival.
Vlad is a Montreal native and Connor is from the United States. They are currently performing in Edinburgh, Scotland (as of August 2019). To check out the show, go to: Calendar from the company Machine de Cirque.
“No one ever told me this [about circus arts]. ‘If you have a passion, and that's what you want, there is a way to make a living out of it’.”
Connor knew circus arts was something he wanted to pursue since age 8. Vlad, on the other hand, was inspired while in college while studying computer science. Together, they shared their perspectives and work and life, and how they’ve been transformed by their experiences.
Circus arts aren’t just passion or passion projects for the two performers. To embrace the art form in the long run, they needed to learn how to make a living doing it as well.
What’s the show La Galerie (the Gallery) about? “White. A ploom of color suddenly appears. It is promptly cleaned up. The visitors at the exhibit are delighted to return to monochrome perfection. Little by little, something seems off, things go haywire. The visitors gradually penetrate another world: the set turns inside out. Color appears once again, but now it is indelible. Amused, intrigued, energized, will it absorb them? After the worldwide success of its namesake show, Cirque’s new production takes you to the boundaries of art. With enticing live music and breathtaking acrobatics, let yourself be drawn into this astounding and unusual exhibit.”
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Andrew, Kevin and Gasya Atherton - A Family of Artists from PARAMOUR, Cirque du Soleil
Andrew, Kevin and Gasya Atherton are a family of circus artists working in the show PARAMOUR from Cirque du Soleil.
After witnessing Varekai in the summer of 2015, I immediately reached out to identical twin brothers, Andrew and Kevin to join me on Feisworld. Since then, we’ve completed two projects together including the buildout of their website AthertonTwins.com (launched in 2015), and their brand new workout series called 10 for 10 (launched in 2018), the first gymnastics and circus-inspired workout series for busy professionals on the go. All you need is your own body weight, no partner, no equipment.
Andrew and Kevin Atherton were professional gymnasts in Britain before joining Cirque du Soleil at the age of 24. 18 years later, they have performed in major Cirque shows (Varekai, Zarkana, IRIS, Paramour) around the world, often as headliners with their one of a kind aerial strap performance.
Gasya Atherton is a Cirque hand-balancer, who has become an overnight internet sensation when she shared her workout videos with her children, Kamali and Kaysen, in early 2017. Since then Gasya has built a tribe of 200,000+ engaging fans, including many inspired parents, on her Instagram page.
Show notes, tools and resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/atherton-family
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Gasya Akhmetova-Atherton - Hand-balancer and Flyer from PARAMOUR, Cirque du Soleil
One of the most requested episodes is here with Cirque du Soleil hand balancer, Instagram sensation, Gasya Akhmetova-Atherton (@Gasya on Instagram).
This is not only one of the very few long-form content with Gasya, it is also a rare podcast interview with her.
Joining Cirque at the tender age of 17, Gasya is now mother to two beautiful and adorable children - Kamali and Kaysen. Over the past 2.5 years, I’ve grown much closer to the entire family and watch the kids grow up. In between that time, something magical happened.
One day when Gasya was just practicing her handbalancing movements at home, Kamali, her 3-year old daughter, bravely jumped on her mom’s back and a short video was captured. Together they were having so much fun, not knowing that they would soon become an overnight Instagram sensation.
Show notes, tools and resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/gasya-atherton
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Shana Carroll: Director and Designer from PASSAGERS, 7 Fingers and CRYSTAL, Cirque du Soleil
Shana Carroll is a Founding Director at the 7 Fingers from Montreal, Quebec. She was a trapeze artist before becoming an acrobatic designer and choreographer at Cirque du Soleil.
After interviewing a number of acrobats from Cirque, my listeners requested to learn more about people behind the scenes. Therefore I started researching directors, creators, storytellers from various shows. Shana jumped out at me, not only because she's been an integral part of many major Cirque shows, but also her daring nature in taking on new projects that have never been done before.
She was an Artistic Director for Paramour in New York City. Paramour was the first-ever Cirque du Soleil and Broadway collaboration. There were plenty of very positive but also negative reviews about the show. I absolutely loved it and watched it four times with families and friends. Not to mention that my two friends, Andrew and Kevin Atherton, were headliners in Paramour.
In 2018, Shana was asked to create the first-ever, on-ice experience for Cirque called CRYSTAL.
Then in 2019, Shana created and directed a new show called PASSAGER from 7 Fingers, premiering in Boston, MA on September 25th, 2019 Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/yytevecx
Show notes, tools and resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/shana-carroll
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Gypsy Snider: Creator and Choreographer, REVERSIBLE - 7 Fingers
Gypsy Snider is one of the Founders at 7 Fingers, a contemporary circus collective, where she works as a writer and choreographer.
Gypsy has a unique childhood. Both of her parents are not only circus actors, but had their own circus as a family business, where Gyspy performed since the age of five.
The show, Reversible, is an interactive experience "inspired by the soaring spirit and simple spark of human nature".
Reversible represents the best of contemporary circus by shining a spotlight on the poetry of the human form and linking every ending to a new beginning. Through an electrifying mix of theatre, illusion, dance, music and acrobatics, Reversible is dedicated to past generations whose stories might hold the key to a better tomorrow.
Show notes, tools and resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/gypsy-snide
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Eric Langlois: Executive Director, National Circus School in Montreal, Quebec
Eric Langlois is the Executive Director at the National Circus School in Montreal, Quebec.
The National Circus School (NCS) is a school for higher education in circus arts, its circus curriculums also includes courses in dance and theatre.
One of our own podcast guests, Anny Laplante graduated from there and since then she has performed with Cirque du Soleil and Circus 1903 in several highly reviewed traveling shows.
The NCS is the largest North American school devoted to advanced circus arts training to offer professional programs in circus arts. It also prepares professional circus arts educators.
Because it's unlike any other traditional educational institutions, it piqued our interest to get on board and find out exactly what they do, and why.
Show notes, tools and resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/eric-langlois
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Roman Tomanov, Strap Artist from KURIOS, Cirque du Soleil
Roman Tomanov (@romantomanov) was born in Moscow, Russia inside a circus family. His father was his coach. He began public performances at the age of 5.
After immigrating to the US (and residing in Las Vegas at a young age), Roman has performed with the largest theatrical production company in the world, Cirque du Soleil. His most recent appearance is with KURIOS the Cabinet of Curiosities.
Show notes, tools and resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/roman-tomanov
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Anny Laplante: Flyer from Circus 1903
Anny Laplante is a "flyer" currently performing with Circus 1903 in a breathtaking act called Russian Cradle Duo.
Russian Cradle Duo is a famously known circus act, where the aerialist being propelled is referred to as a "flyer" (that's Anny), while the one doing the tossing and catching is referred to as a "carrier" (or "catcher"). The flyer usually starts and ends by standing on the frame above the catcher. The flyer then swings holding on to the catcher’s hands, performs releases at the top of the swing, and is re-caught in mid-air.
There are many technical aspects in terms of the strength and speed required for the tossing and throwing to be possible. Needless to say that this act is very challenging and dangerous.
Show notes, tools and resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/anny-laplante
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
David Williamson - Ringmaster and Magician of Circus 1903
David Williamson is currently touring in Circus 1903, a show from the producers of The Illusionists and the puppeteers of War Horse. It's a fun celebration of the golden age of circus.
David isn't a trained ringmaster, but a professional magician. He has been featured on ABC's Champions of Magic, where he appeared with Princess Stephanie as he performed his miracles at different locations in and around Monaco.
"THE CLOSEUP MAGICIAN IS THE SUPREME APPLIED PSYCHOLOGIST." "You know how people are going to look, you know how to divert attention and interest, and you have to put your presentation with some meaning for them to keep them interested. Kids who study magic, come away with a toolset that serves them beyond the magic tricks. "
Working as a magician is a career very few people can pull off. How did David become a magician and sustain a career for decades? What are the words of wisdom he'd like to pass onto our younger generation?
David is going to unveil the world of magic to you, and the life of performing with a Circus.
Show notes, tools and resources: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/david-williamson
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Atherton Twins - Aerial Strap Artists from Cirque du Soleil
In this episode, I speak with Aerial Strap Artists from Cirque du Soleil, Andrew and Kevin Atherton. They are identical twin brothers born and raised in the UK. They were professional gymnasts for 17 years before transitioning to aerialists for Cirque du Soleil at the age of 24. In 2017, they were cast as headliner aerialists for the first Broadway and Cirque du Soleil collaboration called Paramour. This show is currently playing in Hamburg, Germany (as of September 2019).
Learn more about the Atherton Twins: athertontwins.com and my collaboration with them on their first online workout video series called 10 for 10: https://www.athertontwins.com/10for10
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Eirini Tornesaki - Singer from Cirque du Soleil
Born and raised in Greece, educated and lived in the UK for 4 years, Eirini Tornesaki had been working with Cirque Du Soleil in the show KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities since January 2014, touring Canada and the United States. Eirini is the original singer of KURIOS and performed the vocals on the soundtrack album recorded in Montreal and released in November 2014.
When KURIOS came to Boston in May 2016, I was eager to see it live. The music hit me right away. I saw a petit, beautiful woman singing in the background. Her costume so elegant, her voice so pure, and her presence so powerful.
Since then, Eirini made a decision that surprised many of us to leave Cirque du Soleil and pursued her master degree at the world-renowned Berklee School of Music. As of September 2019, Eirini became a professor for the Berklee Global Jazz Institute and Ensemble Department. We couldn't be more proud of her accomplishments and pursuit for music.
Learn more about Eirini and her music: https://www.facebook.com/erinimusic/
-----
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld
Introducing Circus from Feisworld: Conversations with Superhumans
Hey it’s your host Fei Wu and you are listening to the Feisworld Circus podcast: Conversations with Superhumans. This podcast features interviews with more than a dozen circus artists from Cirque du Soleil, 7 Fingers, Circus 1903, Cirque de Machine. Their stories were so well received on our original podcast that we decided to create this new show for you to binge and mingle with these superhumans. They will expand your horizon and make you rethink our mental and physical boundaries. www.feisworld.com/blog/tag/circus
Hugs and much love,
Fei
Learn more about our original podcast and stories from independent creators from many walks of life: https://www.feisworld.com/podcast
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch and get a FREE guide on how I make a living as podcaster WITHOUT counting the downloads: https://www.feisworld.com/newsletter
Our favorite podcasting, creative and business tools: https://www.feisworld.com/tools-we-love
Follow Fei Wu and Feisworld on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @feisworld