Conceived by Ashlin Halfnight and Melanie Sylvan at New York’s Electric Pear Productions, Synesthesia can easily be classified in the “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” Department. The performance piece (actually, eight performance pieces in one) is a multi-medium event with such a clever concept that one would suspect the outcome would pale compared to the idea, but in its west coast premiere now playing at the Bootleg, Synesthesia is as fun, quirky and inventive as its notion.
Five months ago, an aerial artist and dancer named Ruby Karen sat before a bowl of fortune cookies, and arbitrarily plucked one out and cracked it open. Ms. Karen would now have two weeks to generate an aerial performance piece based simply on the fortune in her hand – whatever the fortune inspired was fine as long as it remained within her specialized form of art.
Workshops in Italy – Special Announcement
We are thrilled to share exciting news with our international community! Directors/ Instructors, Ruby Karen and Luca Cecchini will be making special appearances in Italy and Spain. They will be representing Aerial Arts America and the Ruby Karen Project through guest appearances, school visits, and exclusive workshops focused on Aerial Silks and Contortion in Tuscany.
Don’t Miss Out – Join a Workshop!
Sponsored by: Squilibrate Aerial School
What: Aerial Silks and Contortion Workshop
When: August 23, 2024
Where: Parco della Comasca, Marina di Massa, Tuscany
Presented by Aerial Arts America and proudly sponsored by The Ruby Karen Project, this TRAPEZE workshop aims to celebrate and elevate the foundational role that this discipline plays in the aerial circus arts community, emphasizing both its historical significance and contemporary relevance.
Instructor: Ruby Karen
Workshop Fee: $70 (All proceeds go the Aerial Arts America)
Date & Time: August 31, 2024 10am – 12pm
Location: Aerial Dance Theater, 3001 Red Hill Ave. 1-107, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (Corner of Kalmus and Red Hill)
Join us as we explore the beauty and significance of Trapeze, a discipline that has shaped and continues to inspire aerialists worldwide. This workshop is a testament to Aerial Arts America’s commitment to promoting and educating on the enduring artistry of Trapeze.
Secure your spot today and be part of this transformative experience!
About Ruby Karen: An esteemed educator in her own right, Ruby brings over 40 years of experience teaching dance, acrobatics, and aerial arts. Her mentorship has guided numerous artists from recreational enthusiasts to successful professionals in the circus and performing arts industries.
Sofia Govela, 7, left, and Molly Jensen, 6, work to hold spinning plates during circus camp at The Ruby Karen Project in Costa Mesa, CA, on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Description: The workshops are designed for individuals with a strong interest in enhancing their aerial skills and simultaneously developing strength, endurance, and flexibility. Participants will engage in immersive sessions covering aerial Silks, Hoop, Trapeze, Rope, and Sling/Hammock. Additionally, ground skills such as Contortion and Hand Balancing will be incorporated. Skill adjustments will be made based on the teacher’s assessment of each student’s proficiency level.
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Tuition: Week Fee: $400*; Day Fee: $150.
**The weekly rate is valid only for specific dates. If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled dates, which span three days within the week, you forfeit that session, except in the case of a genuine life-and-death emergency. Please refrain from purchasing this package if you are uncertain about your availability.
Trapeze (Dance & Static)
Lyra/ Hoop
Silks/ Tissu
Hammock
Contortion
Rope (Corde Lisse & Mallakhamb)
Inventive &
Other Apparatus
Hand Balancing
Contortion
Geared towards all levels, these workshops will enhance your skills with additional coaching and tips from masters of the trade. And you would have speed up your training by 3-6 months. Coaches and Instructors are certified teachers as well as established teachers in their respective fields. Also,
The workshops are geared for those seriously interested in escalating their aerial vocabulary while at the same time building strength, endurance and flexibility.
The workshop will immerse you on aerial Silks, Hoop, Trapeze, Rope and Sling/ Hammock. Ground skills will include Contortion and Hand Balancing. Skills will be adjusted based on teacher’s assessment of the student’s level.
******** For full day camps, students need to bring their own snacks, lunch, water and/or other beverage. Please wear leggings (no zippers) that cover up the ankle, a tight fitting top, and bring a small towel and sneakers for stilts. Please take out all jewelries.******
*The weekly rate is valid only for specific dates. If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled dates, which span five consecutive days from Monday to Friday, you forfeit that session, except in the case of a genuine life-and-death emergency. Please refrain from purchasing this package if you are uncertain about your availability.
How to sign up for summer camp – Please follow below instructions:
At Check Out, put the Promo Code (see above) and follow the prompts
What does the summer camp include?
Each camp package consist of five (5) consecutive days from Monday – Friday, 9:15am – 1pm. Students learn circus arts consisting of the selected disciplines from the following:
Circus Arts (Selected Items): Acrobatics, Hand Balancing Contortion, Stilts, Juggling, Hula Hoop, Tight Rope Plate Spinning, Dragon Flow, Butterfly Wings & Isis and other similar activities
Faculty: RKP Instructors and Orange County Aerial Arts junior coaches
The PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE is scheduled on the last day of the camp (Friday) at 1pm. Family and friends are invited to watch. Costumes are required and can be provided for a rental fee, however students can also wear their own costume.
******** For full day camps, students need to bring their own snacks, lunch, water and/or other beverage. Please wear leggings (no zippers) that cover up the ankles, a tight fitting top or leotards, and bring a small towel and sneakers for stilts. Please take out all jewelries.******
Summer Camp Sample Schedule
9:15 AM Warm Up and Acrobatics/ Contortion/ Hand Balancing
10:15 AM Break
10:30 AM Circus – Object Manipulation/ Aerials (group Switching)
In celebration of its 16th year, the Ruby Karen Project/ Orange County Aerial Arts will once again be gracing the stage at the Orange County Fairground. This daytime family oriented event, OC Fair’s IMAGINOLOGY is our student’s performance training platform comprising of kids and adults alike on multiple aerial acts.
The schedule shall be as follows:
Saturday and Sunday, APRIL 13 & 14, 2024 @ Santa Ana Pavillion – OC Fairgrounds
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Schedule of Activities
• 10:15 am: Information and Registration for open trial classes
• 11:15pm – 12pm: Aerial Circus Show by Orange County Aerial Arts
• 12:15pm – 12:55pm: Trial Aerial and Acro Class
• 1:20pm – 2:05pm: Aerial Circus Show by Orange County Aerial Arts
• 2:15:pm – 2:55pm: Trial Aerial and Acro Class
• 3:15pm – 3:55pm: Aerial Circus Show by Orange County Aerial Arts
Productions for both teams have been organized, conceptualized and choreographed by
Artistic and Program Director/ Choreographer: Ruby Karen
Technical Director & Choreographer: Luca Cecchini
For tickets: http://www.ocfair.com/steam/2024/information.php
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Students of the Ruby Karen Project Aerial Performing Arts and its Apprentice performance team, the Orange County Aerial Arts will be celebrating its 16th Anniversary Spring production featuring aerial circus acrobatic and dance acts.
Location: Aerial Dance Theater, 3001 Red Hill Avenue 1-107, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
ABOUT YIN-YANG IN MOTION
Welcome to “Yin-Yang in Motion”, where the collision of opposing forces gives birth to a symphony of compromise and understanding. In this captivating show, we delve into the intricate movement between love and hate, pride and humility, black and white, high and low, destiny and ambiguity.
As viewers journey through each episode, they are transported into a world where these contrasting traits, energies, and ideologies converge, challenging conventional notions and inviting exploration of the shades of gray that exist within the human experience, eventually finding common ground towards harmony and unity in diversity.
Prepare for mesmerizing acts by the students of the Ruby Karen Project and together with its apprentice group, the Orange County Aerial Arts, as they display captivating twirls, spins and dynamic tapestry of ‘Yin Yang in Motion‘, where the journey takes you to a transformation and exploration of the shades of gray that we experience.
OTGO WALLER
Famous Mongolian Contortionist from Las Vegas
WORKSHOP DATE AND TIME: SATURDAY MARCH 2, 2024 @ 2:30PM 1hr. 15 min.
WHERE: AERIAL DANCE THEATER, 3001 REDHILL AVE. BLDG. 1 SUITE 107, COSTA MESA, CA 92626
Otgo Waller is a professional contortionist as well as the creator and owner of Flexible Body Art LLC technique and school. Otgo grew up in the shadow of the holy mountain Bogd Uul near the Mongolian capital city of Ulaanbaatar. When Otgo was 7 years old she dreamed of becoming a contortionist, and by 13 years old Otgo was one of the best contortionists in the world. In 1980, Otgo graduated from the Mongolian State Circus, specializing in Contortion Art. She also appeared on Mongolia’s postage stamp as one of the most prestigious contortionists in Mongolia. In 1991, the Ringling Brothers & Barnum Bailey circus discovered Otgo and she immigrated to America. After arriving in America, Otgo’s career exploded.
Otgo was featured on the NBC, Discovery Channel, SyFy Network, PAX Network, MTV, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Donny and Marie Show,” “ Ripley’s Believe it or Not,” and E Network’s “Talk Soup.” She has also been a featured performer with Cirque du Soliel’s “O” Show, the NBA halftime shows, NHL halftime shows, NCAA halftime shows, and Britney Spears “MTV Video Music Awards.”
Otgo Waller’s choreographic works have been featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening and Closing ceremonies, The International Contortion Convention, and the San Diego Circus.
After performing for many years, Otgo began to teach the art of contortion and flexibility. Otgo created her own training technique to help every individual become more flexible. Otgo has trained people of all ages and levels. Her most notable clients include Olympic athletes, top professional contortionist and circus artists, international high fashion models, competitive body builders, and national level ice skaters.
“My country is well known for its contortionists. In Mongolia, contortion is a traditional art form that has been passed on for generations. This is why we have the best training programs for contortion. I started to study contortion in Mongolia at eight years old. I’ve spent 30 years performing and perfecting my art. Over the past 10 years I have been teaching people, of all ages, how they can increase their flexibility. I’ve learned it’s necessary to treat each students body individually because their needs are all so different. This is why I have created my own unique program to help every individual become more flexible and reach their potential as a contortionist. We are all unique, different ages, and different pasts. However, if we do the right exercises we can all can learn the art of contortion. It is amazing how the human body can transform.”
Performance Opportunities for our Apprentice and Regular Students
*Asterisk means Regular Students can Participate
*Spring Recital and Showcase March 30
Imaginology @ OC Fairgrounds April 13 & 14
Summer Camp Demonstrations @ ADT June – August
Festival of the Arts. Laguna Beach July 14
Festival of Children @ South Coast Plaza Sept. 22
Newport Beach Film Festival Oct 17–24, 2024
West Coast Aerial Arts Festival Nov. 8 -11
*Holiday Showcase @ ADT Dec. 5
Other Demonstrations and Showcases
If you are interested in participating in any of our performance activities, please contact us. Shortly after, we will ask you to fill out the Casting Form and purchase theRehearsal Package as early as possible so we can start choreographing your personalized recital piece. Feel free to reach out to us for questions.
Conceived by Ashlin Halfnight and Melanie Sylvan at New York’s Electric Pear Productions, Synesthesia can easily be classified in the “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” Department. The performance piece (actually, eight performance pieces in one) is a multi-medium event with such a clever concept that one would suspect the outcome would pale compared to the idea, but in its west coast premiere now playing at the Bootleg, Synesthesia is as fun, quirky and inventive as its notion.
