BRATTLEBORO — New England Center for Circus Arts' circus coaches will be performing a family-friendly, Halloween-themed extravaganza on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m., and October 22 at 4 p.m.
The Circus Spooktacular is a "high-energy circus romp," say organizers, "full of acrobatics, aerials, and stunts featuring elite instructors and special guests of the New England Center for Circus Arts. This creative cauldron is led by Evil Red and the Wolf and is sure to be a frighteningly good time."
Co-director Victoria Quine is a long time coach at NECCA and currently leads the youth troupes. She explains that this show is unique at NECCA in that "it is a peer-led space for coaches and staff to work collaboratively to create a narrative show." The performance will feature ensemble work from the cast, who say they consider it a welcome change from the solo work that they often do when they perform away from NECCA.
One highlight of the show is The Graveyard Act, a big group production number featuring dance and acrobatics. Quine describes the act as "so much fun to create!" Nine acrobats came together to share ideas and collaborate on this piece which, she says, "promises to be the most fun you've had in a graveyard this year!"
NECCA's fall session begins this week and is open for enrollment for youth and adults with many of the instructors who are performing in the show. Katie Schmidt, director of youth programming, is co-director of the show and is appearing as a spider in one "creepy-crawly" aerial act.
Classes include grounded classes, such as trampoline, with another coach-performer, Levi Helton. Helton plays The Wolf in a twisting rendition of the classic tale and will perform an aerial sling duet with Gramma, reimagined as a love story. Other acts include pumpkins on spinning wheels and bats and fireflies.
All performers are coaches at the circus school, housed in the custom-built Trapezium.
Tickets for the Spooktacular are $12 (under 12/senior), $15 general seating, $25 VIP, under 2 free. Reserve tickets at necenterforcircusarts.org. As always at NECCA shows, there is the opportunity to volunteer at the show to receive a free ticket. This information is also on the ticketing portal.
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