|
What People Are Saying...
What a great experience for my students and my children. Thanks so much!
Todd Avery
Jenison High School Drama Teacher
|
| |
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
|
Melissa Marie Wilhelm, Starfish Executive Director
BA Illinois Wesleyan University (English, Public Relations and Dance).
Other studies: Education at Asahikawa University (Japan), dance at The Laban Center for Movement Analysis (London).
Administrative/educational: Deputy Director of Cambridge College Program, teacher at St. Thomas Summer School.
Performance: Aerial Angels Company Member, Disney, Li Chiao Ping.
melissamarie@starfishcircus.com
|
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 and Associate Artistic Director
zay@starfishcircus.com
|
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 |
Kimberly Olson-Wheeler, Lead Coach
Studies: Bio-engineering program at Berkely, including study at INSTITUTE in Moscow.
Sport: Internationally-ranked figure skater.
Teaching: Gymnastics and circus skills through Midnight Circus, CircEsteem, private figure skating coach.
Performance: Aerial Angels Company Member, Midnight Circus, AMEBA, Aloft Aerial Dance, the Flying Gaonas, Seaworld San Antonio.
kimberly@starfishcircus.com
|
Rachel Shepherd, 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
|
Zach Martens, Assistant Coach
Currently: BA program in Theatre at Western Michigan University.
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 Suessical.
Performance: Aerial Angels Intern, plays and musicals including lead roles in Anything Goes, Zombie Prom and Doctor Faustus with Leon Ingulsrud
zach@starfishcircus.com
|
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
Currently: Studying Music and French at Kalamazoo College. Year-long study abroad in France.
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 Intern, Frelon dance concert, Imagine Christmas!
ma@starfishcircus.com
|
| |
|
|
|
|
