September 20, 2010
A lot of work goes into a performance that looks effortless. Though the planning and preparation time can exceed the duration of a performance, members of Elemental Artistry would agree that a good performance is worth the time and effort.
For Michelle Larson, the work is also worth the risk. Larson is an aerial acrobat, a belly dancer and a fire dancer. She is also the Assistant Director of Elemental Artistry, a local performance group. For choreographic inspiration she draws on experience and training, but with fire comes many additional considerations. “Fire dancing is an animal all it’s own, that’s for sure,” she says.
“Pyrotechnics, sometimes can be limiting,” says Michelle Baas, Director of Elemental Artistry. “You have to be really careful and really safe.” Clothing, environmental conditions, physical location and audience members are just a few things to consider when planning an event involving fire.
As a manager of Elemental Artistry, Matthew Johnson has many roles. Like the rest of the group leaders he is also a performer, so he knows first hand the necessary precautions for a performance involving fire. “There are a lot of situations where fire isn’t appropriate or you really need to work closely with your fire department and with your event organizer,” Johnson says. His knowledge and planning helps keep both the audience and the performers safe.
Thoughtful precaution is not the only preparation for a performance. Baas says she is constantly planning, creating and choreographing. An award winning baton twirler, she decided to take her talent to the next level by adding fire. “It was 12 years dedicated in the gym starting at the age of five that led me to doing this today.”
Plenty of effort is behind the dancing and acrobatics. The tremendous demands of trapeze work keep Larson in the gym for hours every week. Aerial work itself builds strength, endurance, and balance, but the extra time spent lifting weights and swimming helps her maintain presence of mind while performing difficult maneuvers high above the ground. Physical training also helps prevent injuries. “When you’re up in the air its exhilarating, it’s so much fun, but it does take a lot of physical strength to make it look beautiful, and hopefully effortless.”
Such preparation allows the performers to focus on captivating the crowd. Some audience members even sign up for lessons. “Fire can be scary and intimidating, but anybody can try it,” Bass says. She teaches with beanbags and streamers until trainees are ready for fire.
Every audience and location is different, but preparation and safety are always on the minds of the performers and managers. Larson says that with time and practice, performing safely comes as second nature. “I don’t know that I’m always thinking about fire safety, but I am thinking about performing cautiously and aware, and just having a really good time and making it fun for the audience.”
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A arte e a emoção circense, retratada por pessoas pode ser muito mais encantadora. Basta que se deixe expor o talento e o amor ao que se faz. A reportagem faz uma excelente abordagem. Gostaria que o ambiente estivesse melhor iluminado para expor os artistas em cena. Uma iluminação maior poderia permitir vê-los sem prejudicar a bele evolução das chamas.