By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT- On Saturday, April 30, 2022, entertainers from the New England Center For Circus Arts wowed the crowd at the Claremont Opera House.
La Prairie des Talons, a capstone project for the school’s pre-professional track, performed what they call, “an ode to the rapidly changing world”. The show featured several different types of acts including aerial stunts on straps, and ground performances with cyr wheels and partnered acrobatics. The show awed its audience of all ages.
The New England Center For Circus Arts was formed by co-founders Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion in 2007. Since then, NECCA has been considered one of the nations top circus schools. Located in Brattleboro VT, the five-story school is completely open concept and features performers hanging from ceilings and swinging around on the trapeze. The school encourages anyone that is intrigued to stop in and see the performers.
Many of the performers have developed their acts over a number of years at NECCA. Each individual has brought their own interests and original flair to the pre-existing art forms. It was Venezualan born and current Montana resident, Director Paul Gomex who brought the show together as a cohesive whole. The group came together over a four week period to create the final version of the show seen on stage.
Directing Saturday’s event was Elena Day, graduate of L’Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, and former member of Cirque Du Soleil. Day is currently the ProTrack Director and Head of Physical Theater at NECCA and has been with the school for four years.
According to Day, “The purpose of the program is to get the students ready for the professional world.” The performers seen at the Claremont Opera House will go on to audition for circus companies such as Cirque Du Soleil and Seven Fingers in Canada. One of Saturday night’s performers has already landed a contract with Aida Cruise Company and will be doing her performance for thousands of people a year on the cruise line.
Day made a point to remind the audience that circus performing is for everyone. The school offers courses for children, young adults, college level students and up to senior citizens. “You don’t have to want to run off and join the circus to come take classes,” Day reminded the crowd. “You just need to have a desire to perform.”
Saturday was not the public’s only chance to catch the act. Different capstone acts will be touring different theaters in the area, hoping to impress audiences all over New England. This tour will help the performers acclimate themselves to different venues and spaces. The students will again be performing their act at NECCA on the weekend of May 6, 7, and 8, but these shows will not be made available to a public audience.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.