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In addition to our regular session and drop-in classes, we also often offer workshops, either by guest instructors or our own staff. Workshops offer the opportunity to delve deeply into a specific concept, or to work with a new instructor who may not often be available to you. Watch this space for upcoming workshops!
Friday, January 24, 2025 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Back room and Front Room • Cost: $75
“At a given moment I think a plant is about to be born in some corner of me… I can only watch and wait… All I have is the feeling or hope that it will grow leaves of poetry or of something that could become poetry when seen by certain eyes… it will be on guard against the mind contemplating it when that mind suggests too many grand meanings or intentions. If the plant is true to itself, it will give out a natural poetry it is unaware of.”
–Felisberto Hernandez
Butoh is an art focused on the body speaking for itself. Using elements from butoh, we will focus on finding empty space and stillness within our bodies and our movement, letting go of conscious choices to allow outside forces to act upon us, and explore elements of absurd, grotesque, and impulsive movement. This workshop will start on the ground before incorporating aerial equipment.
Pre-reqs: Curiosity, an aerial practice, and a willingness to occupy vulnerable spaces.
About the Instructor: Cody Hayman found the circus in Olympia, WA in 2009, where he was a founding member of Airbound Underground and an instructor at SANCA. Though he started as a rope artist, Cody has picked up many other circus disciplines in the years since, including trapeze, hair hanging, and clowning. He has always had a passion for community-based circus performance, producing countless shows in Olympia and New Orleans, as well as performing and teaching all over the country for events like Sh’Bang, Atlanta Aerial Arts Festival, InFringe Fest New Orleans, and others. He has hosted NECCA’s rope meeting since 2023, and is the head rope and fabric coach for NECCA’s ProTrack program.
Cody’s approach to teaching mirrors his approach to performing: always with a sense of curiosity, enthusiasm, and a dash of flamboyance.
Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Upstairs • Cost: $75
Learn how to defy gravity (on vertical apparatuses) with c-shape and dynamic techniques. Roll-ups, gooey poses, floaty beats, and drops that don’t clunk but just curl back into themselves like fern fronds unfurling in reverse.
Pre-reqs: Some familiarity with c-shaping and beats on rope or silks
About the Instructor: Cody Hayman found the circus in Olympia, WA in 2009, where he was a founding member of Airbound Underground and an instructor at SANCA. Though he started as a rope artist, Cody has picked up many other circus disciplines in the years since, including trapeze, hair hanging, and clowning. He has always had a passion for community-based circus performance, producing countless shows in Olympia and New Orleans, as well as performing and teaching all over the country for events like Sh’Bang, Atlanta Aerial Arts Festival, InFringe Fest New Orleans, and others. He has hosted NECCA’s rope meeting since 2023, and is the head rope and fabric coach for NECCA’s ProTrack program.
Cody’s approach to teaching mirrors his approach to performing: always with a sense of curiosity, enthusiasm, and a dash of flamboyance.
Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Back and Front room • Cost: $75
Come find new pathways to slither around the hoop. This workshop is all about interesting transitions: squirrel into and out of single hip hangs, discuss lyra theory to fine tune your technique, breakdown the ever-illusive beauty roll, so it is smooth as butter. This workshop is great for those wanting to challenge their movement patterns on lyra. We will leave time to improv and play!
Pre-reqs: Strong lyra knowledge and ability to invert.
Things to bring: Sleeves
About the Instructor: Eliza is a captivating circus performer whose dream is to tell stories through circus that inspire, provoke, and entertain. They have a passion for sharing their love of circus whether that is through performing or teaching. Recently Eliza completed a contract on MSC’s Meraviglia where they dazzled audiences with breathtaking displays on lyra, rope, and trapeze. Now they have returned to New England Center for Circus Arts to coach students both recreational and professional. Eliza aims to push students to reach their goals by providing excellent coaching, a caring rapport, and a fun atmosphere.
Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in the Upstairs North • Cost: $75
What does every audience want when they see a lyra on stage but fast spins and splits! Come learn dazzlingly split-y shapes and work on your flares in this workshop. We will learn different twisty transitions to new spilt shapes. While this workshop will contain spin practice and theory, you do not need to be a spinner to take this class. All levels of spin tolerance welcome! A flat spilt is not necessary for class.
Pre-reqs: Comfortable in a pike stretch, strong lyra knowledge and ability to invert.
Things to bring: Sleeves and Ginger
About the Instructor: Eliza is a captivating circus performer whose dream is to tell stories through circus that inspire, provoke, and entertain. They have a passion for sharing their love of circus whether that is through performing or teaching. Recently Eliza completed a contract on MSC’s Meraviglia where they dazzled audiences with breathtaking displays on lyra, rope, and trapeze. Now they have returned to New England Center for Circus Arts to coach students both recreational and professional. Eliza aims to push students to reach their goals by providing excellent coaching, a caring rapport, and a fun atmosphere.