Story by Marisa Crumb/Photos by Carolyn Bates
W
alking up to the stained shiplap-and-cor-
rugated-metal-wrapped home, one could
wonder how an active, industrious, and
energetic couple could possibly live in such a small space
and make it all happen. But Erin Maile O’Keefe and Kev-
in O’Keefe definitely do…and then some. The conscious
choice to down-size their domestic footprint—they came
from a huge rent-stabilized, 1,800-square-foot apartment
in New York City with 11 huge closets—while also decid-
ing what to permanently toss, was a process that wasn’t
especially difficult for this enterprising couple.
Stepping inside the 30-foot-long, 8-foot-wide, 11-feet-
high (at the angled end) dwelling however, it was quite ap-
parent that this husband-and-wife team not only make it
work, they genuinely thrive here and derive joy from their
tiny house. At just 300 square feet, the challenge could
potentially be to pare down too many belongings and neces-
sities, causing regret, or the opposite temptation, keeping too
many things, making the space feel cramped and
claustrophobic. Neither was the case for Erin and Kev-
in, who both work out of their home as well as take their
projects on the road.
Their venture, CircusYoga, teaches children and fam-
ilies circus arts, movement, and connection through
workshops; in-school residencies culminate in students
performing an authentic circus for their community.
Erin and Kevin have taken the program as far as India
(and are planning another trip there soon), training other
educators as well as implementing movement arts
curriculums that Erin has developed; teacher training
is her specialty, she says. As artistic director of Circus
Minimus, Kevin has traveled the world teaching and study-
ing theatre, yoga, and circus; the One-Man Circus-in-a-
Suitcase works together with community centers, theaters,
and schools worldwide. Their tagline, “Giving communi-
ties a chance to join the circus, discover their gifts, and still
be home for dinner!” inspires one to sign up their chil-
dren for this entertaining adventure that’s geared toward
families.
Erin’s background in architecture (she studied at Cornell)
started early—at age 7 to be precise. “I always knew I was
going to design my own house,” she beams. She took—and
taught—design courses at Yestermorrow Design/Build
School in Waitsfield. Construction began in fall 2016 and
took two years to build.
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