Aerial teacher Craig Lewis closed his studio, Night Owl Circus Arts, in mid-March due to COVID-19, and though the studio has not yet determined a re-opening date, having virtual access to a circus arts community has helped Lewis know his studio is not alone.
Just as Chef Gusteau’s motto in “Ratatouille” was “anyone can cook,” senior Appalachian State University student Emily Sharpe’s motto is “anyone can dance,” which she also made the name of her pay-what-you-can dance program she created in Boone, North Carolina.
Haley Kramer did not expect to be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 21 years old, but she is a stronger person and dancer now because of it.
People who go into the circus professionally often have families or spouses who introduce them into the circus world; it’s not usually something someone stumbles upon as a 23-year-old and hopes to get into professionally—but Wil Rhew’s circus journey is more unique than most.
When dancer Danielle Mumpower flew home to Bristol, Virginia, on March 19, she thought she would only be there for two weeks before returning to New York City. At the time, she did not realize how long she would stay in her hometown during the COVID-19 quarantine. Almost three and a half months later, she is still Bristol – where her love for dance first began.
For the past year, a thought has continued to cross my mind: “I am going to get to a point where I need to choose which path I am going to take – dance or journalism – because eventually, I will not be able to pursue both.”
DANCE TRIBUNE 