Everyone loves a circus.
Kaelyn Schmitt, however, isnB次元官网网址檛 just interested in enjoying the show. Back on the Island following international circus performances in Berlin, Seoul and Las Vegas, this seasoned professional is back on the West Shore, with an eye on bringing the circus back with her.
B次元官网网址�(Circus is) a mix of acrobatics, dance, acting B次元官网网址� but in the air, on something thatB次元官网网址檚 moving and spinning B次元官网网址� and it is lot of fun,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 would love to see a bit of the circus world come here. We really just want to build awareness and support for circus in the community.B次元官网网址�
To do that the Colwood resident, along with partners Jacob West from Victoria and Erin Eckert from Saanich, formed Island Circus Space. Their first show, Catalyst, runs this Saturday and Sunday (April 2 to 3) at the Metro Theatre in Victoria.
The goal however, isnB次元官网网址檛 just to offer a place for artists to perform, itB次元官网网址檚 paired with the dream of opening Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 first circus school.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a big plan, but Victoria is a great place. A lot of peopleB次元官网网址檚 eyes light up when you say there might be a circus school B次元官网网址� I would love for that to happen and build that, because this is where I grew up,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚n Montreal and Quebec, the growth is extraordinary. I would love to see that come out west.B次元官网网址�
A 2007 Belmont secondary graduate, Schmitt started doing gymnastics at five and eventually trained at Falcon Gymnastics before specializing in circus after high school.
She moved to Montreal to train at the LB次元官网网址� 脡cole Nationale de Cirque and graduated from the circus arts program in June 2010, specializing in double-bar trapeze.
She has since been around the world performing with travelling circus acts, but an accident during a show in Germany in early 2015 brought her back home.
B次元官网网址淭he cable attached (to the rig) gave out, the whole structure was eight feet off the ground and I landed on the left heel, so it shattered,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淏ut it was non-life threatening, itB次元官网网址檚 not something I ever wish on anyone performing or watching, but it was a huge learning experience.B次元官网网址�
ThereB次元官网网址檚 no doubt about it, there is a certain amount of risk she said. At the professional level, the athleticism and challenge of being a top circus performer is comparable to elite-level sports.
As such, given that she is still healing her injury, Schmitt is preparing for the upcoming show as director.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the most present I have ever felt in my life when I am on stage. I have the capacity to connect with the audience and feel that energy reciprocated. ItB次元官网网址檚 amazing, because itB次元官网网址檚 a moment that can never be duplicated,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淭o be able to travel and work and do what I love, I canB次元官网网址檛 complain. I love being in the air and the feeling of freedom in the air is incredibly liberating B次元官网网址� I love it, I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 change it for anything.B次元官网网址�
There are two performances each day at the Metro Theatre (1411 Quadra St.). TomorrowB次元官网网址檚 shows go at 4 and 8 p.m., while SundayB次元官网网址檚 times are 4 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children under 12. For more information visit islandcircusspace.com.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
