Frontiers are part of our human experience. The sooner we surpass them, the sooner they are replaced by even greater towers of impossibility.
The troupe from the SA Circus centre are an ensemble of young artists who are constantly redrawing the edges of their experiences, physical, creative and collective. These artists are the future of the Australian contemporary circus community. Witness artistry that is beyond their years in acrobatics, tumbling, hand balancing, unicycle and aerial trapeze.
Aerial artist Bridie Callaghan (11) and aspiring director Chris Sampson (18) – a troupe graduate who has taken a leadership role in the troupe and has been helping with the direction and management of the show behind-the-scenes – tell more about those who are unseen:
Why do you enjoy being part of the circus, so to speak?
Bridie: I really enjoy trying new things and working hard to learn new skills and I enjoy meeting new people and being inspired by the new people that I meet.
Chris: I love the team atmosphere of the circus. Compared to other sports you don’t just have a physical trust, you also have a mental trust that has to be developed. We are one big happy family here!
What attracted you to the circus in the beginning?
Bridie: I started when I was three, so my parents got me involved. I had a goal from when I was very little and I saw the troupe perform, and I was inspired and knew I wanted to be a part of it, I enjoyed it and I’ve just kept going for eight years now.
Chris: I tried other competitive sports like hockey etc., like you do when you are young, but then I got bored so mum started looking for more niche sporting stuff. She came across Cirkidz and 12 years later I never left!
Posted by Cirkidz on Sunday, 27 September 2015
Did your parents ever want you to play a sport, or are they supportive your creative choice?
Bridie: Well, mum got me into it, she was happy for me to try different things but I loved circus so much and they like that it’s non-competitive as well. And my family can see that I’m well supported here.
Chris: I’ve always been artistic with drama and film throughout school and I’m an aspiring filmmaker so my parents just fostered my natural creativity and were supportive of what I wanted to do.
What is one thing you've learned doing 'We, The Unseen' you didn't think you would learn?
Bridie: Probably how important it is to stay focussed and to improve my technique so that I am able to keep on doing the exact same thing, every time and perfecting my movements. I never thought I would be doing more interpretive and theatrical movement where I am creating a story with my whole body and using my whole body to create an experience for the audience.
Chris: Being in the show and taking on a more leadership role and learning to craft the show. I changed from being a performer to being able to design the creative landscapes as an inspiring director. I am able to facilitate my creativity here and be supported which is just amazing to have somewhere to do that as a young person.
At school, do the kids ask you to do tricks for them?
Bridie: YES!!! All the time. It’s non-stop. Back hand springs, flips. If the sports teacher brings out hoola hoops the kids always ask me where I learnt to twirl them and I say circus!
Chris: I used to balance school chairs on my chin during class!
What is your specialty trick?
Bridie: I do a lot of different things, I don't have one specialty thing, I recently have been doing a lot more tumbling I’d probably say round off back hand spring is what I’m known for.
Chris: Juggling definitely. It’s called 'take-outs' but it’s with another person, it’s our signature trick that no one else does and we are known for it in the circus community.
What are you most excited about with 'We, The Unseen'?
Bridie: For me, probably getting out on to the stage and performing it to an audience and watching two years of hard work all come together. That’s fun to watch as audiences bring out the energy and everyone tries their hardest. Also being backstage and getting dressed up in hair and make up is really fun.
Chris: Seeing all the elements that make up the show come together for an hour, there’s something quite magical in building all the skills over the past two years and then seeing the technical elements like stage, lighting and costumes come together. I’m also excited about the message of the show and shining a light on those that are unseen.
Why do you think people should come and see your show?
Bridie: Because it’s very different even from other circus shows and I think it's pretty amazing that we are so young and we are doing pretty amazing things so people will be inspired when they come and see it. It will make people think. We are giving a message but not by talking, it is through movement. This show is for the unseen, anyone who has been bullied, not been heard and for anyone who has felt unseen and unnoticed, we see you.
Chris: We are redefining what circus is about, particularly for young people and the message is very relevant to society today. It’s subtle in what it is saying, incorporating the idea of where we sit and belong as young people within our society. Sometimes young people are unseen and not noticed but we are here and each person is important and has something to say.
'We, The Unseen' performs SA Circus Centre until 10 October.
