A high-flying creative residency is setting up a showcase in Downtown Brooklyn this week.
Aerialists & Acrobats will make their debut at City Point’s BKLYN STUDIOS starting on Jan. 8. The showcase will highlight some of New York’s top circus performers, who have been furloughed since March when ticketed performances were canceled and rehearsal spaces closed due to COVID-19 and will mark the first time that these artists will be able to show off their acts while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.
“The performing arts sector is a vital element of NYC’s economy, and extends far beyond Broadway and Lincoln Center. Our government is past capacity, so it is up to our private sector to support the performing arts,” said Kyla Ernst-Alper, who conceived of the creative residency and is a producer, aerialist and founder of Änver Entertainment. “City Point has stepped in as a leader in that effort by offering over 30 of NYC’s top professional aerialists and acrobats a 2-month residency in a space that seems to have been designed for this purpose! We are all so thrilled to invite the public to watch us as we showcase our talents, and workshop new ideas.”
The showcase will feature Ernst-Alper as well as Kris Olness (co-owner of Aerial Arts), Lani Corson (Broadway’s Chicago national tour & co-owner of 2 Ring Circus), Rebecca Fey (aerial director of the soon-to-launch recreational aerial program at VITAL Climbing Gym and producer of Cat’s Eye Cabaret), Crista Marie Jackson (Zendaya’s stunt double on The Greatest Showman), and Ivory Fox (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). The venue was rigged by Noah Price, resident rigger at Capitale, The Box, head rigger at House of Yes & Paradise Club, with assistance from Rob Williams.
Ernst-Alper and photographer Giles Clement collaborated on an installation of images featuring images of leading New York aerialists, burlesque personalities, clowns, and dancers. The exhibit will be on display in the Atrium at City Point and each image will be sold as a limited edition print and as a part of a set of 10 postcards. Proceeds from sales will be shared with the performing artists to help them through the pandemic.
Strict COVID-19 regulations will be enforced for everyone who comes to the showcase. Masks will be mandatory for all observers, and those who come can watch indoors through public windows into the performance space. Attendance numbers and traffic flow will be monitored at all times.
“Since we opened, City Point has embraced creativity through our ongoing cultural programming, and we are well aware of the plight of New York City’s performing artists due to the pandemic,” said Paul Travis, Managing Partner of Washington Square Partners. “Providing a venue for the Aerialists & Acrobats circus performers is our way of giving back to the arts and our community. We are excited to see their gravity-defying acts come to life at City Point, and to bring COVID-safe culture back to Downtown Brooklyn.”
Aerialists & Acrobats will be on display from Jan. 8 through Feb. 28, with showcases taking place Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 12 p.m. Rehearsals will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Due to overwhelming response and to make the performances available to more people, the Showcase format will be a pop-up series of surprise showcases through Feb. 28. Pop-up showcases will livestream on IG Live @citypointbklyn.
City Point’s BKLYN STUDIOS is located at 445 Albee Square W. For more information, visit www.
