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What People Are Saying...
I really want to know what you do here. It sounds so cool. Two of my friends are going to be in it so I wish them good luck. I hope they read it. Well if you want to tell me a few things were
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Starfish Staff
A Starfish residency team includes at least two lead coaches who are working circus professionals and an assistant coach, who may be an intern or junior company member. Each coach is responsible for a specific set of skills and works with individuals and groups. One of the lead coaches will also be the liaison with the school, theatre or camp hosting the residency. Our coaches also train and perform with the Aerial Angels.
Shared honors and awards include:
- "Most Daring Act" - London Fringe Festival
- "Top Ten Audience Choice" - Kingston Busker Rendezvous, 2005 & 2006
- Grand Finale Act - Feldkirch (Austria) Gauklerfest
- "Small Business of the Year" - Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center
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Allison Williams, Starfish Artistic Director
MFA Western Michigan University (Playwriting) BA Eckerd College (Theatre).
Other studies: DePaul University, Nimble Arts, Toronto Mainspace School of Circus Arts, San Francisco Circus Center.
Faculty: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College.
Guest Artist: includes University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of South Florida, Otterbein College, Harrison Arts Center, numerous Thespian Festivals.
Performance: Aerial Angels Company Member, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, All Ears Radio Theatre.
allison@starfishcircus.com
The best part of Starfish is seeing the amazing creative ideas and new moves the students come up with - "I'm stealing that to use myself" is the best compliment I can give. |
Zay Weaver, Lead Coach
BA Western Michigan University (Theatre Performance). Other Studies: Nimble Arts, San Francisco Circus Center.
Teaching: Commedia Zuppa.
Guest Artist: Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, Michigan State Thespian Festival, Tennessee Thespian Festival, Raleigh (NC) Charter School.
Performance: Aerial Angels Company Member
zay@starfishcircus.com
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Todd Espeland, Lead Coach
Studies:University of Nevada Las Vegas, Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre, Toronto Mainspace School of Circus Arts.
Faculty: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College.
Guest Artist: includes University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of South Florida, Otterbein College, Harrison Arts Center, numerous Thespian Festivals.
Performance: Daring Devilinis, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, St. Croix Festival Theatre, All Ears Radio Theatre.
Direction: Waiting for Godot, Endgame, Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet |
Colleen McIntee, Assistant Coach
Studies: BA program in Economics and French Language & Literature at Kalamazoo College, graduating in 2011.
Sport: All-state softball player, gymnast for three years in high school, discovered circus arts with the student group, Cirque du K, at Kalamazoo College.
Teaching: Cirque du K, Detroit Flyhouse, Astuces Children's Circus School: Chamalieres, France
Performance: Aerial Angels Company Member, Cirque du K, Frelon Dance, Detroit Flyhouse
colleen@starfishcircus.com
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Rachel Mahannah, Assistant Coach
Currently: Studying Theatre at Florida Southeastern College.
Ambition: Soccer Mom.
Background: Graduate of Harrison Center for the Arts, Lakeland FL.
Starfish Connection: Met Aerial Angels when they came to her school for mask and movement residencies. First cast as an acrobat/aerialist in Hamlet.
Performance: Aerial Angels Junior Company Member, plays including Children of a Lesser God, Hamlet, MORE
rachel@starfishcircus.com
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Zach Martens, Assistant Coach
Currently: BA from Western Michigan University, Currently a MFA Candidate at UCSD for Acting.
Ambition: Actor, Musical Theatre Performer and Aerialist.
Background: Graduate of Jenison High School, Michigan.
Starfish Connection: Met Aerial Angels when they were rehearsing in his high school theatre, then cast as an aerial monkey in Seussical.
Performance: Aerial Angels Intern, plays and musicals including lead roles in Anything Goes, Zombie Prom and Doctor Faustus with Leon Ingulsrud
zach@starfishcircus.com
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Alex Kahler, Assistant Coach
Currently: Studying Visual Art and Everything Else at Bennington College.
Ambition: Aerialist, writer and lifelong nomad.
Background: Graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, majoring in creative writing. Training in aerial at Nimble Arts.
Starfish Connection: Met through a workshop at Nimble Arts, first worked a summer circus camp and then a six week internship.
Performance: Aerial Angels Intern |
MA Harrison, Assistant Coach
Schooling: BA in French Language&Literature and Music at Kalamazoo College; thesis on French rap music, culture and politics written in French
Ambition: Aerialist, musician and a return to France.
Background: Homeschooled, extensive training in ballet, French and piano.
Starfish Connection: Applied for internship through Kalamazoo College summer program, learned hoop and fire and was hooked.
Performance: Aerial Angels Company Member, Frelon dance concert, Imagine Christmas!
ma@starfishcircus.com
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Siobhan Gale, Assistant Coach
Skills: Silk, Hoop, Dance
Schooling: Graduated in Musical Theatre from Harrison School for the Arts in 2010 and currently attending Shorter University for a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Background: Since moving to Lakeland in 2005, Siobhan has worked with Lakeland Community Theatre, Theatre Winter Haven and the Polk Theatre. She has taught theatre and dance classes during the year and for summer camps and has participated in many children's theatre and mainstage productions.
Favorite Fruit: kiwi
Cats: Has 5 - who love the two guinea pigs.
Facts: Had a slight fear of fireworks- until she had to sing during them!
Angels Connection: Was an assistant for a Starfish Camp at Lakeland Community Theatre. |
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