Being an aerialist basically means I perform acrobatic feats in the air. My apparatus of choice for quite some time was Vertical Rope, also known as Cord Lisse. Recently I have diversified more, and enjoy performing on Silks, Trapeze and Sling as well. My unusual ground skills include Fire eating, Fire Poi spinning, and Partner Balancing.
I am a former aerial teacher and student at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts in SODO, which I highly recommend for childrens aerial classes.
I am a current teacher at Versatile Arts in Greenwood, which is owned and operated by my trapeze partner Beverly Rose. As a duo, we are known as Chimera. I have an out dated website for our work at http://chimerials.com.
“Zita the Aerialist”
Usually, I perform aerials under the guise “Zita the Aerialist”. Zita the Aerialist was concepted by writer Winda Benedetti. I first became Zita when I played her in the short film “Geek like me”, in 2004. I fell in love with the character and asked if I could adopt the stage name of Zita for future performances. Winda agreed and the rest is history!
You may have seen Zita at:
- How Art Saved My Life, Jan 2011 (Silks)
- There Must Be Something In The Air, June 2010 (Silks)
- Little red Studio, NYE 2009/2010 (Silks)
- The Pink Door, Aug - Nov 2009 (Trapeze, Sling)
- Circus of Dreams Benenfit, Sept 2009 (Rope)
- Rip Roarin’, Soul Soarin’ Summer Spectacular Benefit, July 2009 (Silks)
- An Intimate Spectacle, June 2009 (Silks)
- Daedalus Rising, May 2009 (Rope, Trapeze)
- The Ghost Game: Tales of 13 Witches, Halloween 2008 (Silks)
- The Obsidian Show , 2008-2009. (Director, Silks, Doubles trapeze with Beverly Rose)
- The Seattle Erotic Art Festival Gala, March 2008. (Director of aerials, Silks)
- Little Red Studio, the Fall season of 2007. (Silks)
- Aerlift II Benefit, May 2007 (Doubles Trapeze)
- Critical Massive, June 2006. (Rig technician)
- Little Red Studio, with Beverly Rose. May 2006.
- Circo Vivo Benefit, May 2006. (See the video!)
- Northwest Folklife, May 2006 (Trapeze demonstration and instruction)
- The Seattle Erotic Art Festival, with Beverly Rose. March 2006.
- Cirque Du Noc, Dec 2005 (See the video!)
- Westlake Center, Sept 2005
- Circo Vivo Benefit, a celebration of life! May, 2005
- Musica Vitae! Cabaret!, With Mike Ehmann. Winter 2004
- On the set of “Geek like me” Nov 2004, as Zita the Aerialist.
I have trained with the following teachers and institutions:
- Versatile Arts (Silks, Rope, Trapeze, Sling, Hoopeze)
- School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (Everything!)
- Bobby Hedglin-taylor (Silks)
- The Toronto School of Circus Arts (Static trapeze, Silks, Corde Lisse)
- The Cabiri (Fire eating, Character Portrayal, Static Trapeze, Aerial Sling)
- Trapezius (Corde Lisse, Static Trapeze, Aerial Hoop, Silks)
- The UMO Ensemble (Aerial Hoop, Low Flying Trapeze)
- Donia Love, formally of Ignis Devoco (Fire Spinning)
Zita has a newly redesigned official site, at http://zitatheaerialist.com (formerly LoftyArts)