abound in “the Aftermath.”
I’m honored to count
myself among the inspiring
people on the AYCO/ACE
“ad-hoc advocacy commit-
tee,” which is working on
distinguishing circus as its
own arts category. Invita-
tions have arrived to lead
stilt workshops and teacher
trainings and to co-direct
a holiday break camp on the
east coast in December
and January. It looks like
I’ll have enough work to
return to the east coast for
spring and summer! And,
yes, I even found a circus
host in Toronto, who
welcomed me three days
after the conference
with warm hug and a bottle
of wine.
creates space for ideas
to flourish in a way
that we cannot manifest
as individuals, and the
ACE community did not
let me down, providing
me with the support and
connections I needed
to feel confident about my
plans to leave California
and get back to my roots—
the East Coast and work
in social/therapeutic circus.
M
Aftermath
DISCO
wants to find a place to fit in
and a way to stand out.
If you’re reading this, odds
are you already know that
the circus arts community
is one marvelous place
to find both. My first EdCon
was in Seattle in 2012 and
I walked—or rather floated
away—completely trans-
formed. I had found my
people. I was hooked and
could hardly wait for the
2014 conference to get
the next fix of inspiration,
connection, and play.
But I’m not here to gush
about my experience
at the 2014 conference.
I’m here to tell you about
“The Aftermath.”
so many people who
speak the same circus
language as I do was
the highlight of my 2012
EdCon, and in 2014
I was there to dial in.
I did not just want
to interact with people
who shared similar
experience, values,
and objectives; I was
there to get involved.
I wanted to find
opportunities to
participate more
directly in AYCO/ACE
related projects and
connect with peers
looking to collaborate
on professional
projects compatible
with my skill set.
Incidentally, I also
hoped to meet
someone from Toronto
to crash with on
my drive back to
Oakland, California.
AYCO/ACE! Thank you for
providing such a sensational
opportunity for circus
artists, educators, and
administrators to come
together and create a
community in which we
can all fit in and stand
out together. Connections
made! Collaborations
started! Corny EdCon
acronym complete!
08