2021 Virtual AYCO Festival Showcase

A dream-state theme from our Lucid Dream Showcase - inspired by slow & controlled movements while performing on a hard and soft, lyra and hammock combo apparatus. Created at VertiFit Aerial Arts Studio & choreographed by Barrie Michaels. This was 13 y/o Ashley's very first performance after only 6 months of aerial training with no prior experience. Organization: VertiFit Aerial Arts & Flow Arts - Ormond Beach, FL. Performer: Ashley M., she/her, 13 y/o, her very first performance!

My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus' annual Circ-A-Thon was held virtually in 2020. Each circus student chooses a skill to master, and just like a Walk-A-Thon, collect pledges. It is an excellent demonstration of their perseverance, focus, and courage to perform a new skill in front of a live audience. Due to the pandemic, we could not gather our friends and families. We found it was more difficult without an audience. Thanks to videographer Samiya Shamma, a former circus student, who pulled together an incredible video of their work. This was shown on December 12, 2020. Organization: My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus Performers are Jean St. John, Steve Roenker, Jesse AlFord, Natalie Roenker and 18 youth circus students.

From our creative dream-state themed show. Inspired to show the artistry of various Flow Arts props. This performance inspired many youth to begin to learn hoop & poi. Organization: VertiFit Aerial Arts & Flow Arts - Ormond Beach, FL. Performer is Dixie M. & Payton R., she/her, teen students, illustrating various Flow Arts Props

This act was created to showcase hula hoop and contortion together. It was created at home. The music is by Peter Bufano. Performer is Eva Lou Rhinelander.

During the pandemic, our performing has been on hiatus. So we don our masks and hope you enjoy what skills we have been working on! Organization: Florida Aerial Dance & Circus Arts Performers: Gabrielle Alfieri, Jacqueline Anson, Gabby Benedetti, Emily Buda, Celeste Cahill, Soleil Chang, Gaby Dunn, Glenna Dull, Codi Gumbinner, Celine Haber, Bella Holt, Kiowa Kavovit, Alyson Oates, Molly Rainis, Sarah Timperman, Kitty Torkaman, Emma Viveros, & Paige Williams

I created this video for my classroom virtual talent show. I wanted to share all the new circus skills I've learned. I went to a local park to film some of it. I also filmed some at my house, including my basement where my mom made me a stage. I also filmed some at the community center where I take classes. I made this film because I wanted to share my unique talent with my classmates because it's something they don't normally get to see. Organization: Circus Moves Performer: Myla Krasovetz, 9 years old

A short demo that illustrates the beauty of circus and the possibility of bringing youth performers to local events. Organization: Thrive Movement Studio, Harwinton, CT Performers: Aurelia Gemino, Sarah; Leah Reeves, Meta Grover, Jasmine Allen-Sengupta, Margaret Hopkins, India and Ivy Altman, Amelia Kearney

Our socially distanced showcase of work by current SHOW students and Youth Troupe from March 2021! Each act has a different theme/style. (The second half of the video is adult students and staff). Organization: SHOW Circus Studio Performers: Raia, Izzy, Bethany, Evie, Georgia, Shahana, Paige, Wren, Rebecca, and Sadie G

In the middle of a pandemic, Circus Harmony in St. Louis and Circus Circuli in Stuttgart formed a Peace through Pyramids partnership and co-created a show to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their two cities being sister cities! Through a series of online meetings, workshops, and classes, the two troupes created 6 different circus acts and then filmed them at iconic architectural locations in each of their cities. Please enjoy: Sister City Circus Organizations: Circus Harmony, St. Louis MO. USA and Circus Circuli, Stuttgart , Germany Performers: Students from Circus Circuli and Circus Harmony

Because we are so close to my 94 year old great-grandmother, my family made the decision to not attend any in-person classes for the past 12 months. Virtual training has been the best thing for increasing my circus knowledge and improving my skills. I have taken classes in acro, tumbling, contortion, hand balancing, dance, and more! I created this combo to perform outside on the first sunny day in spring. Location: Virginia Performer: Jocelyn Bridges. She/Her. 11 years old. @dancingunicornjj

Our Community Troupe, Kirkos, collaborated with a local band, Band Land Brass Band, to create this video to participate in the virtual Honk Festival over the summer of 2020! This was Kirkos' first ever performance. This video was created at the Commonwealth Circus Center. Organization: Circus Up, Boston, MA Performers: Kirkos Community Troupe

Wise Fool New Mexico is excited to announce its first virtual Teen Troupe Showcase! A cabaret-style circus showcase, the show has been entirely choreographed and composed by the youth performing in it. The group meets during the school year on Tuesdays to collaborate, build community, and practice performance skills across circus disciplines. Teen Troupe members are involved in community events, social actions, performances and represent Wise Fool at conferences and events, including AYCOfest 2021!

Take a trip to Candy Land with the San Francisco Youth Circus Programs! Be dazzled by the performances of several generations of Youth Circus students, from current members of our pre-professional programs, to alums working as professional circus artists. Join us as we journey through the magical Candy Land Circus! Candy Land is a fundraiser for new equipment and next year's youth program scholarship fund. Please give if you can, and enjoy the show! To find more information or donate go to www.circuscenter.org/candyland Organization: San Francisco Circus Center Performers: San Francisco Youth Circus Performance Troupe Members and Alumni

Created in April - May 2020, immediately after shelter in place measures began, Quarantine Clowns tells a story of the experiences and feelings of a group of Oakland children stuck at home during a very confusing time. Organization: Prescott Circus Theatre. Oakland, CA Performers: Prescott Circus Theatre students from Sankofa Elementary School

S.T.E.A.M. Circus Afternoon EditionAn online summer camp that combines S.T.E.A.M. education and Social Emotional Learning in a radically inclusive environment, produced in partnership with The Danbury Library, Danbury Connecticut. Performers: Connecticut Youth Organization: Circus Moves

From October - December, advancing Prescott Circus students in Oakland, CA met weekly at DeFremery Park in West Oakland to connect, train, create, and celebrate their brilliance. This piece was created from these sessions and shared as part of our December 17 online event, The Show Goes On. Organization: Prescott Circus Theatre. Oakland, CA Performers: Students of Prescott Circus Theatre's Pathways for Older Youth Program

The Balancing Act: Walking the Pandemic Tightrope gives the pandemic perspective of students, staff, and alumni from Circus Harmony, St. Louis' social circus school, as they try to keep their balancing in unbalanced times. This film looks at the impact of the pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement, and the presidential election on young people whose lives will be most affected. Organization: Circus Harmony

We struggled how to do an in-person intermediate/advanced summer camp during the pandemic With the help of ACE's work, the Evendale Cultural Arts Center, ArtsWave, and our board of directors, we were able to hold camp. We divided the group up by ages and kept them separate. This is their reflection of the camp, their circus training, and the need to be together during the pandemic. Organization: My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus - Cincinnati, OH Performers: Jean St. John, Steve Roenker, Jesse AlFord, Sam Sake, David Taffe, Carleigh Saberton, Hasan Badran, Ollie Davies, Henry Volck, Elie Volck, Chelsea McIntosh, Myleta Powell, Rosalyn Brown

An online summer camp that combines S.T.E.A.M. education and Social Emotional Learning in a radically inclusive environment, produced in partnership with The Danbury Library, Danbury Connecticut. Performers: Connecticut Youth Organization: Circus Moves