“LOVE” will come to El Dorado this Valentine’s weekend in the form of a circus show featuring 100 daring students from El Dorado High School and Hugh Goodwin Performing Arts Academy, according to Delaine Gates, EHS drama instructor.
She said students will present acts on aerial silks, trapeze, acrobatics, rolla-bolla, hula-hooping and more. “The show is themed around love in all its manifestations, just in time for Valentine’s Day,” she said.
Students have been coached by professional circus performers from the Aerial Angels company, based in Kalamazoo, Mich. The coaches themselves hail from Michigan, Tennessee, Florida and Dubai, bringing experience from the San Francisco Circus Center, New England Center for Circus Arts and Cirque du Soleil.
“We love the Starfish Circus outreach program,” said Starfish coach and aerial angel, Marina Petrano. “Aerial Angels reaches so many kids as audience members, we want to show them that these skills are something they can learn, too!”
Coach Allison Williams added, “What I love the most is that it’s a real show. Parents always walk in thinking it will be like a recital and they’ll only enjoy themselves when their child is onstage. Every time they walk out with their faces glowing, amazed at the level of skill and death-defying tricks!”
With a tight rehearsal schedule, the students have worked like circus professionals.
“We switch from building basic skills to working on choreography and between individual and group work,” said Macy West, aerial hoop coach. “The fun comes from accomplishing amazing things with your fellow performers.”
Gates said, “What I love most about the program is the level of ownership given to the students. They have strong voices in their own choreography and the acts presented. It’s great to see them using 21st century skills like collaboration and critical feedback. Those skills will serve them well in any future career — and they’re having a lot of fun!”
“LOVE” will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday in the El Dorado High School Auditorium. All tickets are $10 and can be bought at the door, or by calling the box office at 814-5392.