CIRQUE
CIRQUE PROGRAM
November 3 & 4, 2023
at Old Town Center for the Arts
at Old Town Center for the Arts
First Showing
Friday November 3, 2023 7:00 pm |
Second Showing
Saturday November 4, 2023 2:00 pm (matinee) |
Third Showing
Saturday November 4, 2023 7:00 pm |
CAST
In order of appearance
Christine Eaton as Adelaide The Ballerina (present) - Modern Dance
Kevin Ringle as The Juggler - Hat Juggling
Grace Livermore as The Starry-Eyed Sky Dancer - Aerial Silks
Ali Brae Geter as The Enigmatic Showgirl - Lyra
Kristen Massey as Madame Soleil - Stage Pole
Colleen Walls as The Columbina - Kung Fu
Jes Palmer as The Tremendous Trapeze Artist - Static Trapeze
Emerald Forest as The Mime - Fusion Belly Dance
Tyler Barnard as Belle Etoile - Stage Pole
Mazzy Rose as The Tattooed Lady - Sling
Taylor Marie Turner as Adelaide The Ballerina (past) - Corde Lisse
Kevin Ringle as The Juggler - Hat Juggling
Grace Livermore as The Starry-Eyed Sky Dancer - Aerial Silks
Ali Brae Geter as The Enigmatic Showgirl - Lyra
Kristen Massey as Madame Soleil - Stage Pole
Colleen Walls as The Columbina - Kung Fu
Jes Palmer as The Tremendous Trapeze Artist - Static Trapeze
Emerald Forest as The Mime - Fusion Belly Dance
Tyler Barnard as Belle Etoile - Stage Pole
Mazzy Rose as The Tattooed Lady - Sling
Taylor Marie Turner as Adelaide The Ballerina (past) - Corde Lisse
CREW
Taylor Marie Turner - Co-Director (Artistic Director), Co-Producer
Logan Turner - Co-Director, Co-Producer, Sound, Safety Coordinator
William Eaton - Co-Producer
Jes Palmer - Rigging Technician, Stage Technician
James Ball - Head Lighting Designer
Stephan Barber - Stage Technician
Armando Kiyama - Photographer
Logan Turner - Co-Director, Co-Producer, Sound, Safety Coordinator
William Eaton - Co-Producer
Jes Palmer - Rigging Technician, Stage Technician
James Ball - Head Lighting Designer
Stephan Barber - Stage Technician
Armando Kiyama - Photographer
CIRQUE
CIRQUE will transport you back in time to a 19th century-inspired vintage circus with a modern twist, following the story of a lovable troupe of characters of the past remembered through a nostalgic lens by 'silent narrator' Adelaide The Ballerina. Played by Christine Eaton (present) and Taylor Marie Turner (past), Adelaide draws cherished costumes and photos out from an old chest, holding them dear and bringing memories of traveling with the circus to life. Adelaide's memory of her younger self and beloved fellow performers swirl and dance around her, and through her mind's eye the audience witnesses each character perform their signature act.
CIRQUE features an ensemble act and solos by Hydrangea Sky Company Artists: Kevin Ringle, Grace Livermore, Ali Brae Geter, Kristen Massey, Colleen Walls, Jes Palmer, Emerald Forest, Tyler Barnard, Mazzy Rose, Taylor Marie Turner, and guest artist Christine Eaton (formerly Christine Lamb of Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre).
Full of wonder, awe-inspiring stories, acrobatic and high-flying feats, CIRQUE rekindles the imaginative, unbridled joy of childhood dreams of running away with the Circus... This whimsical, dazzling adventure features high-flying aerialists, juggling, martial arts, belly dance, and more, unfolding on and high above the stage. Join us at Old Town Center for the Arts this November 3 & 4, 2023 to be enthralled, entertained, mesmerized, and left breathless and captivated by these spectacular feats!
CIRQUE features an ensemble act and solos by Hydrangea Sky Company Artists: Kevin Ringle, Grace Livermore, Ali Brae Geter, Kristen Massey, Colleen Walls, Jes Palmer, Emerald Forest, Tyler Barnard, Mazzy Rose, Taylor Marie Turner, and guest artist Christine Eaton (formerly Christine Lamb of Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre).
Full of wonder, awe-inspiring stories, acrobatic and high-flying feats, CIRQUE rekindles the imaginative, unbridled joy of childhood dreams of running away with the Circus... This whimsical, dazzling adventure features high-flying aerialists, juggling, martial arts, belly dance, and more, unfolding on and high above the stage. Join us at Old Town Center for the Arts this November 3 & 4, 2023 to be enthralled, entertained, mesmerized, and left breathless and captivated by these spectacular feats!
FIRST HALF
I. Nostalgia
Ensemble Circus Cast: Kevin Ringle, Grace Livermore, Ali Brae Geter, Kristen Massey, Colleen Walls, Jes Palmer, Emerald Forest, Tyler Barnard, and Mazzy Rose
featuring Christine Eaton as Adelaide The Ballerina, and Taylor Marie Turner as young (past) Adelaide The Ballerina
Ensemble Circus Cast: Kevin Ringle, Grace Livermore, Ali Brae Geter, Kristen Massey, Colleen Walls, Jes Palmer, Emerald Forest, Tyler Barnard, and Mazzy Rose
featuring Christine Eaton as Adelaide The Ballerina, and Taylor Marie Turner as young (past) Adelaide The Ballerina
II. Pick Yourself Up
Kevin Ringle as The Juggler
Hat Juggling
Kevin Ringle as The Juggler
Hat Juggling
III. Love Story
Grace Livermore as The Starry-Eyed Sky Dancer
Aerial Silks
Grace Livermore as The Starry-Eyed Sky Dancer
Aerial Silks
IV. I Don't Belong Here
Ali Brae Geter as The Enigmatic Showgirl
Lyra
Ali Brae Geter as The Enigmatic Showgirl
Lyra
V. Celestial Invocation
Kristen Massey as Madame Soleil
Pole
Kristen Massey as Madame Soleil
Pole
VI. Valse Fatale
Colleen Walls as The Columbina
Kung Fu
Colleen Walls as The Columbina
Kung Fu
INTERMISSION
SECOND HALF
VII. Roustabout
Jes Palmer as The Tremendous Trapeze Artist
Static Trapeze
Jes Palmer as The Tremendous Trapeze Artist
Static Trapeze
VIII. Ambrosia's Hour
Emerald Forest as The Mime
Fusion Belly Dance
Emerald Forest as The Mime
Fusion Belly Dance
IX. Le Monde
Tyler Barnard as Belle Etoile
Pole
Tyler Barnard as Belle Etoile
Pole
X. Dreaming
Mazzy Rose as The Tattooed Lady
Sling
Mazzy Rose as The Tattooed Lady
Sling
XI. Reminiscence (Nostalgia Reprise)
Taylor Marie Turner as (past) Adelaide The Ballerina
Corde Lisse (Rope)
Featuring Ensemble Circus Cast: Kevin Ringle, Grace Livermore, Ali Brae Geter, Kristen Massey, Colleen Walls, Jes Palmer, Emerald Forest, Tyler Barnard, and Mazzy Rose
Taylor Marie Turner as (past) Adelaide The Ballerina
Corde Lisse (Rope)
Featuring Ensemble Circus Cast: Kevin Ringle, Grace Livermore, Ali Brae Geter, Kristen Massey, Colleen Walls, Jes Palmer, Emerald Forest, Tyler Barnard, and Mazzy Rose
CIRQUE CAST
Christine Eaton
Christine Eaton (formerly known professionally as Christine Lamb) graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and performed on every continent except Antarctica with Nikolais Dance Theatre from 1984 to 1987. Christine danced locally with her duet company Mixed Metaphor in Sedona, Arizona. Christine and William Eaton founded and presently run the Old Town Center for the Arts with daughter Taylor (CIRQUE Director) and Taylor's husband Logan (CIRQUE Co-Director). OTCA was envisioned by Christine to be a venue and creative space for aerial dance and other live performance arts. Christine's passion for modern and aerial dance inspired Taylor to follow in her mother's footsteps; without Christine's original vision, Hydrangea Sky would not have taken flight.
CIRQUE Photography by Armando Kiyama
Kevin Ringle
Juggling and flow arts has let Kevin travel the world. Starting out as just a hobby, this art form soon led Kevin to teach workshops throughout the USA, and later to perform in Berlin, Germany. Kevin enjoys the challenge presented by prop manipulation. Starting out as a poi spinner at the age of 12, he quickly grew to love how one can spin and throw objects to create art and tell a story. Kevin started juggling at 19 and never looked back. It took another 6 years before he found his passion for hat juggling. This niche style of juggling lets Kevin express himself more so than any other prop. The joy brought to the audience by Kevin’s hat juggling is unlike any other circus show.
“My love for juggling and flow arts has created the way I look at life. This art form has taught me patience, creativity, and body awareness. I use what I have learned from prop manipulation in my every day life. I would not be the person I am today without it.”
“My love for juggling and flow arts has created the way I look at life. This art form has taught me patience, creativity, and body awareness. I use what I have learned from prop manipulation in my every day life. I would not be the person I am today without it.”
Grace Livermore
Grace has a background in classical ballet and has dabbled in modern/contemporary, burlesque, hip hop, bhangra, and Latin dance forms. She has been doing aerial silks and lyra for 3 years and aerial rope for 2 years. Recently she has started working in aerial harness, taking workshops with Bandaloop and collaborating with Dark Sky Aerial.
Grace choreographed the Opening Act ensemble piece entitled Earthing for Hydrangea Sky's Spring 2023 full-length production, Unfurl, and created Earthing's concept, story, and costuming.
Grace choreographed the Opening Act ensemble piece entitled Earthing for Hydrangea Sky's Spring 2023 full-length production, Unfurl, and created Earthing's concept, story, and costuming.
Ali Brae Geter
Ali is an acro performer, aerialist, and coach living in Northern Arizona. She found acro in 2011 and aerial in 2017, inspired by the strength and grace required to perform in the circus arts. Her prior experience with partner dance left her with a soft spot for all duos work. She has performed on many apparatuses in several professional shows, including Hungry Hearts Cabaret, Frightful Fête, Imaginary Universe. She specializes in acro adagio, lyra, and rope.
Kristen Massey
Kristen first fell in love with the graceful, dance-like movements of rock climbing. Rock climbing was her first pathway to embodiment, and the strength, freedom, and altitude it allowed her to access paved the way for silks. Kristen has always been drawn to the aerial arts, and her first silks experience was over 12 years ago. Now, two kids and a full time career later, she feels privileged to have access to a local gym and formal classes the last four years. Her aerial interests include silks and pole dance.
Colleen Walls
Colleen Walls is a second-degree black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu and a certified instructor at Sacred Mountain of Fighting and Healing Arts. She specializes in the tiger crane 108 system, northern long fist, and tai chi. Colleen is also an active member of Sacred Mountain's lion dance team and has experience performing the head and the tail parts of the Chinese lion. Her passion is giving martial arts demonstrations in front of a live audience, and she has competed and placed at several state and national championships. In 2021, she received the ICMAC Women's Tai Chi Grand Champion award. Colleen enjoys sharing her passion for Chinese martial arts with her community.
Jes Palmer
After growing up practicing a variety of dance styles and having a strong background in tumbling and group stunting (flyer), Jes found the perfect blend of her favorite part from each of those things when she began training on static trapeze in 2020. Since then, Jes has continued to add new apparatuses wherever they could fit. Trapeze has continued to be her main apparatus, but Jes also trains in pole, silks, and rope, along with the recent additions of hammock and lyra. From her experience with dance, Jes held onto her love for contemporary dance in particular, and loves taking any opportunity to incorporate the style into aerial arts.
As an instructor and administrative assistant at Momentum Aerial Arts in Flagstaff, AZ, she has had the opportunity to continue seeking opportunities that will contribute to her success as an aerialist. This includes completing Paper Doll Militia’s Level 1 Teacher Training for both Trapeze and Silks, along with attending the upcoming American Circus Educators Conference (with administrative experience in both organizations, through being accepted to their work trade programs.
As an instructor and administrative assistant at Momentum Aerial Arts in Flagstaff, AZ, she has had the opportunity to continue seeking opportunities that will contribute to her success as an aerialist. This includes completing Paper Doll Militia’s Level 1 Teacher Training for both Trapeze and Silks, along with attending the upcoming American Circus Educators Conference (with administrative experience in both organizations, through being accepted to their work trade programs.
Emerald Forest
My love of movement and the healing power of kinesthetic practices has most definitely saved my life. After college I moved on to begin a lifelong study of yoga and flexibility training, becoming certified as a teacher in 1999 by Lex Gillan and the Yoga Institute. But it was only in 2015 that I discovered fusion belly dance, and developed an obsession with this form of movement, discipline and expression. I spent the last seven years evolving myself into a dancer and giving myself permission, finally, to follow my joy and to fully express myself through movement arts. I have been fortunate to train with some of the most influential fusion belly dancers in the world—Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Tiare Tashnick and Deb Rubin. I am certified in Rachel Brice's Eight Elements of Belly Dance Level 1, and Deb Rubin's Dance Therapeutics Level 1 and 2. I also completed a year long dance intensive with Deb Rubin in 2021. Finally, I fell in love with aerial circus arts in 2020 beginning with Lyra and have been studying pole at Momentum in Flagstaff for the last year. I am as inspired by creative possibility and expression, as I am about the process of embodiment.
Tyler Barnard
Tyler has a background in several different movement practices, including yoga and capoeira angola. Tyler first dipped her toes into the aerial world with a pole class in August of 2019 and never looked back. She stared lyra not long after in June of 2020 and added in rope to the repertoire of apparatuses she trains in January of 2022. Tyler is passionate about pushing herself and her craft. She has performed in several professional shows including Unfurl, Robot Apocalypse, Southwest Flow Fest, Frightful Fête, Hungry Hearts, Imaginary Universe and more.
Mazzy Rose
Mazzy Rose began her aerial journey in 2018 after being inspired by performances from Circus Bacchus and Dark Sky Aerial. She began training on silks at Momentum Aerial before taking a break from that apparatus to build strength on lyra. When she returned to silks, corde lisse seemed like a natural evolution to add to her training and aerial sling joined the list shortly after. She loves the feelings of freedom and empowerment that come with exploring the aerial arts. Mazzy has performed in “Ephemera,” “Unfurl” and “Frightful Fête,” as well as at the Southwest Flow Fest.
Taylor Marie Turner
Taylor Marie Turner is an aerialist, singer-songwriter, and visual artist. Taylor has a background in modern dance and currently performs on aerial silks, lyra (aerial hoop), corde lisse (rope), trapeze, and invented apparatus.
Special Guest Artist Deborah Heron Williams
Greeting you at the door for the CIRQUE Saturday Matinee (2:00 PM) Performance will be special guest artist Stiltwalker Deborah Heron Williams of High On Life Stiltwalking
As a stiltwalker, I love being a conduit, bridging the earthly world with the sky, the heavens, the divine. There is also great gratification in morphing through characters, seeing who presents next. There is a gift of reminding myself and others to be childlike and whimsical, filled with fantasy and imagination. High on Life!
As a stiltwalker, I love being a conduit, bridging the earthly world with the sky, the heavens, the divine. There is also great gratification in morphing through characters, seeing who presents next. There is a gift of reminding myself and others to be childlike and whimsical, filled with fantasy and imagination. High on Life!
CIRQUE CREW
Taylor Marie Turner
Co-Director (Artistic Director), Co-Producer, HSMA Founder
Logan Turner
Co-Director, Co-Producer, Sound, Safety Coordinator
Logan graduated from OCC with an Associates in Music in 2012 and then the Crane School of Music in 2016 with a BA in Music Business. During his time between The Crane School of Music and OCC, Logan studied with many accomplished percussionists in a vast number of different styles and instrumentation. Logan is a classically trained percussionist with a specialty in world percussion. Logan currently dedicates his time outside of his day job to study percussion at a high level and performing with various group in Arizona.
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William Eaton
Co-Producer
William Eaton designs and builds innovative guitars and stringed instruments and is a founder and Director of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, in Phoenix, AZ. William’s unique one-of-a-kind stringed instruments have been featured in major museums, books, magazines and art exhibits. A four time GRAMMY nominee Eaton has recorded 19 albums for Canyon Records and tours nationally and internationally. He has also produced and recorded several award winning albums in his Wisdom Tree Studios in Sedona, including: Electric Harp Guitar Group, Ananeah, and Quiet Fire Trio.
In 2015 he received the Arizona Governor’s Arts Award in the ‘artist’ category. Eaton has composed for and performed with the William Eaton Ensemble, Electric Harp Guitar Group, Nouveau West Chamber Orchestra, Nebraska Chamber Orchestra and Amadeus Trio among others. He has performed and collaborated with R. Carlos Nakai, Will Clipman, Claudia Tulip, Allen Ames, Mary Redhouse, Arvel Bird, Susannah Martin, Edgar Meyer, Anthony Mazzella, Fitzhugh Jenkins, Gary Stroutsos and others. Along with his wife Christine, William is the co-Director of Old Town Center for the Arts, in Cottonwood, Arizona, since 2005. William has worked towards environmental activism since the 1980’s and is a founder and director of Sustainable Arizona. He is also the founder of Wisdom Tree Institute, an online resource collective that explores the relationship between humans and trees, with a focus on luthiers and artisans who use wood as the primary material for their art and craft. |
Jes Palmer
Rigging Technician, Stage Technician
Jes Palmer is a professional aerialist and dancer with Hydrangea Sky Movement Arts, as well as an instructor at Momentum Aerial and a jewelry designer (The Bandit Botanist). Jes was a Rigging Technician for HSMA's recent production, Unfurl, in April 2023.
See Jes's artist bio for CIRQUE above. |
James Ball
Head Lighting Designer
James Ball (lighting designer) is the director of choirs and Theatre at Mingus Union High School here in Cottonwood. He has been awarded Northern AZ Theatre teacher of the year and runner-up Yavapai County teacher of the year. His plays and musicals have received multiple state awards and accolades. James started helping at the OTCA in 2009 and he is elated to return for this beautiful show! James was the Head Lighting Designer for HSMA's previous productions of Ephemera and Unfurl.
Stephan Barber
Stage Technician
Stephan Barber has assisted in many live productions at Old Town Center for the Arts, notably aerial dance performances with Hydrangea Sky Movement Arts. Stephan was a Stage Technician during HSMA's productions of Ephemera and Unfurl.
Armando Kiyama
Photographer
Professional Arizona photographer Armando Kiyama, Website: Mondo-Photo.com
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SPECIAL THANKS
Special thank you to Momentum Aerial in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Have you ever dreamed of trying aerial dance? Poi and flow arts? Acrobatics? Have you ever seen a Cirque du Soleil show, or Hydrangea Sky Movement Arts show, Dark Sky Aerial, or a local circus troupe perform and wondered to yourself, could I fly like that?
Artists of Hydrangea Sky train and rehearse at Momentum Aerial in Flagstaff where regular classes are held by semester and aerial sampler classes are offered for aspiring artists to dip their toes into the world of dance. 'Every-Body' is welcome to begin and to continue their aerial journey in a safe, inclusive, positive, and nurturing environment. Momentum Aerial offers classes in aerial silks, trapeze, lyra, corde lisse (rope), pole, partner acrobatics (acro yoga), Poi, and Double Staff. For currently enrolled students, Momentum offers Open Gym time for aerial enthusiasts to rehearse skills and hone their craft.
Visit Momentum's website at MomentumAerial.org for more info!
Artists of Hydrangea Sky train and rehearse at Momentum Aerial in Flagstaff where regular classes are held by semester and aerial sampler classes are offered for aspiring artists to dip their toes into the world of dance. 'Every-Body' is welcome to begin and to continue their aerial journey in a safe, inclusive, positive, and nurturing environment. Momentum Aerial offers classes in aerial silks, trapeze, lyra, corde lisse (rope), pole, partner acrobatics (acro yoga), Poi, and Double Staff. For currently enrolled students, Momentum offers Open Gym time for aerial enthusiasts to rehearse skills and hone their craft.
Visit Momentum's website at MomentumAerial.org for more info!
Professional HSMA Company Artists who train at Momentum: Taylor Marie Turner (Director), Tyler Barnard, Heather Elliott, Emerald Forest, Ali Brae Geter, Grace Livermore, Kristen Massey, Sunn Mixon, Jes Palmer, Mazzy Rose. HSMA Guest Artists who train at Momentum: Evan Thibodeau.
Special thank you to Sedona Arts Center in Sedona, Arizona.
Sedona Arts Center / Sedona Arts Center Gallery has been a local artist hub and gem of a space for celebrating, showcasing, and creating visual arts in our local community since 1961. SAC offers classes, workshops, special events, and features a professional Fine Art Gallery showcasing the original one-of-a-kind works of near 100 Arizona-based and regional artists. Currently displayed on the walls of Old Town Center for the Arts (performance venue for CIRQUE) are oil paintings by SAC's long-time instructor and beloved local artist Gretchen Lopez that were created especially for Hydrangea Sky's production Unfurl in April 2023. A special thank you and acknowledgement to CEO Julie Richard and COO Bernadette Carroll for their continual support of Hydrangea Sky Movement Arts, and support of countless local artists in Arizona.
Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and you can support them here: Become A Donor.
Visit Sedona Arts Center Fine Art Gallery in Uptown to view more works by Gretchen Lopez and many others!
SAC Website: SedonaArtsCenter.org
Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and you can support them here: Become A Donor.
Visit Sedona Arts Center Fine Art Gallery in Uptown to view more works by Gretchen Lopez and many others!
SAC Website: SedonaArtsCenter.org
Special thank you to Christine Eaton
Christine Eaton (formerly known professionally as Christine Lamb) graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and performed on every continent except Antarctica with Nikolais Dance Theatre from 1984 to 1987. Christine danced locally with her duet company Mixed Metaphor in Sedona, Arizona. Christine and William Eaton founded and presently run the Old Town Center for the Arts with daughter Taylor (CIRQUE Director) and Taylor's husband Logan (CIRQUE Co-Director). OTCA was envisioned by Christine to be a venue and creative space for aerial dance and other live performance arts. Christine's passion for modern and aerial dance inspired Taylor to follow in her mother's footsteps; without Christine's original vision, Hydrangea Sky would not have taken flight.
Special thanks
Special thanks to contributors to "Valse Fatale" Act by Colleen Walls:
Grandmaster Jerry Cook - horse bench sponsor
Laoshi Sarah Frankum - double daggers sponsor
Helen McDowell - costume sponsor
Bonnie Russell - costuming
Sifu Matthew Banks - creative ideas
Laoshi Sarah Frankum - double daggers sponsor
Helen McDowell - costume sponsor
Bonnie Russell - costuming
Sifu Matthew Banks - creative ideas
Special thank you to Best Western Cottonwood Inn
Thank you to Best Western Cottonwood Inn for being one of our generous sponsors for CIRQUE, with a special acknowledgement to Christine Carillo.