At Circa, we love supporting artists. So, in May and June this year, we opened up our studio doors and invited our community in. We call this initiative the Circa Studio Residency program, an annual offering for those in the circus community who are looking for space to create and develop work.
With a number of applicants, we gave time in our studio to those looking for a space to work on new acts, to work on a creative development, or redevelop and remount a work. Over three weeks we welcomed three outstanding creative groups into the studio, to access our specialty circus gear including rigged apparatus, mats, and room to move to support their creative pursuits.
Read on to discover who joined us in the studio this year, what they gained, and how you can become a part of the program next round!
Wilde Applause
Established by Allie Wilde in 2008, Wilde Applause produces new works, promotes existing works, manages artists and collaborates with presenters, agents, managers, councils, festivals, production companies and event managers locally, nationally and internationally. Wilde Applause is deeply committed to promoting art and culture in society and engaging with a diverse range of audiences.
Allie and the team were in the Circa Studio producing a newly staged version of their own production Wizards from Oz. This colourful and dynamic work played in the Quilpie Shire at the Outback Fringe Festival. Learn more about Wilde Applause at their website, and by following their journey on Facebook.
Ellen Grow
If you’ve taken circus classes in Brisbane, chances are you’ve come across Ellen Grow. Ellen trained in both gymnastics and sports acrobatics before falling in love with circus at 15. Upon graduating high school, she moved to China to train for two years at Beijing International Arts School where she focused on handstands, partner acrobatics and aerials.
Ellen used the Circa Studio to work on her technique, and to work on several routines for solo cabaret and performance pieces. Most recently, Ellen performed a new routine at the Vulcana Women’s Circus Annual Cabaret – Barely Contained.
Follow Ellen’s story on her Instagram.
Tanya Scully
Tanya Scully is an extraordinary aerial circus artist and dancer. Based in Melbourne, she combines dynamic and daring aerial acrobatics with mesmerising sensual movement and effortless control. Tanya specialises in corde lisse and also performs silks, Chinese pole, trapeze, hoop and harness work. She also co-designs and creates more unusual aerial apparatus based work.
For Tanya, access to the Circa Studio was an opportunity for her to develop scenes and ideas for her new circus show about post-partum mental health alongside artist Eleanor Beveridge. Keep up to date and discover more about Tanya by visiting her website, and follow her on Facebook.
Circa Studio Residency – An Annual program for our community
The Circa Studio Residency is an annual program and is open to anyone in the circus community who is looking for space to create and develop work. Dates for the Residency change each year, so keep in the loop about what’s going on at Circa by joining our mailing list, visiting our Facebook and following us on Instagram.