We would love to take this opportunity during Women’s History Month to highlight a few incredible women currently running circus programs who are making circus education history! Please follow and support these organizations that are using circus arts to empower their communities and contribute to the field of circus education. We are inspired by and learn from them. We are grateful for them and their work.
Alyssa Bigbee, Rebel Arts Movement. Philadelphia, PA
Alyssa Bigbee founded Rebel Arts in 2020, making the decision to launch programming in Kensington, Philadelphia. In 2022, Rebel Arts expanded their offerings to include circus arts after Alyssa became trained in Aerial Bungee, Aerial Silks, and Lyra. Having dreamed of getting involved with circus, Alyssa became passionate about removing barriers to circus through the creation of scholarship programs and partnerships. Now as one of the Co-Founders & Co- Host of National Black Circus Week, she aims to make Circus & Gymnastics more inclusive!
Web: https://rebelartsmovement.com/
Instagram: @rebelartsmovement
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelartsmovement
Jessica Hentoff, Circus Harmony. St. Louis, MO
Jessica Hentoff is the Artistic/Executive Director and founder of Circus Harmony. Ms. Hentoff has been teaching and performing circus arts for 50 years! She has been using circus arts to motivate social change since she founded the St. Louis Arches youth circus troupe in 1988. To expand youth circus opportunities for St. Louis youth, she created Circus Harmony in 2001.
Jessica is the only person to be a founding member of both the Big Apple Circus in NYC and Circus Flora in St. Louis. In 2009, Ms. Hentoff was named St. Louis Arts Innovator of the Year and Outstanding Arts Educator of the Year.
Web: https://circusharmony.org/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/circusharmony
Facebook: www.facebook.com/circusharmony
Carrie Heller, Circus Arts Institute. Atlanta, GA
Carrie Heller is the Founder and Executive Director of Circus Arts Institute, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Carrie has traveled throughout the world lecturing on topics relating to both circus arts and Circus Arts Therapy®. She has served as a Trainer of Trainers for Cirque Du Monde, a Cirque Du Soleil Outreach Program that uses circus arts to help youth in difficulty around the world. She has been involved with the internationally-renowned Camp Winnarainbow in California since 1991 with their Aerial Department and as a Staff Trainer. Carrie has also been involved with the American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO) since it’s inception.
Web: www.circusartsinstitute.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/circusartsinstitute/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/circusartsinstitute