BRATTLEBORO — Two students at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) are in training for an international circus competition later this month.
The Pas de Deux aerial straps duo of Ernesto Lea Place and Caitlin Quinn was invited to compete at the acclaimed Salieri Festival in Verona, Italy, which takes place Sept. 22–26. This world-renowned event is an international gathering of circus artists with the focus on acts performed to classical music.
Lea Place and Quinn are accomplished leading ballet dancers who shifted to aerials after a chance lesson with NECCA founders Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion at an aerial workshop in Colorado. The duo spent many months in NECCA's residency program, in which students are provided space, technical and creative coaching for a specialized act of their choice, as well as career mentoring.
Now, after building their resumes performing for cruise ships and theatrical circus productions, Pas De Deux is competing in an international event for the first time.
“NECCA is truly a home for me,” Lea Place said in a recent interview. “I met Elsie and Serenity while I was still dancing professionally, and they were nothing but encouraging. NECCA opened their doors and gave support and advice throughout different stages of our development. Any time I get to return, it's truly my pleasure.”
Smith organized the return to NECCA for the final preparations of the act.
“There are logistics you can't prepare for unless you're in an environment with all the tools,” Smith said in a news release. “NECCA has these tools, the spacious studio, the height of the ceiling, the weighted system for lifting the aerialists - these tools will help Ernesto and Caitlin prepare to the best of their ability. NECCA is here to help in whatever way they need to shine.”
NECCA offers training to aspiring professionals as well as classes to everyone in the community. Classes include opportunities for youth and adults in many circus arts, including juggling, tumbling, trampoline, aerial fabric, and trapeze. For more information, visit necenterforcircusarts.org.