Born in the Seattle area, Terry Crane has been avidly practicing, performing and teaching circus arts since 2002. He graduated from Oberlin College and was subsequently accepted at L'Ecole Nationale de Cirque (ENC) in Montreal, where he studied aerial rope, clown, physical theater and various circus arts for three-and-a-half years. After graduating from ENC, he pursued further training at the Beijing International Acrobatics School and No-Fit State Circus in the UK.

In 2012 Terry launched Acrobatic Conundrum. Terry believes in the model of cooperation and the philosophy of embracing one’s own uniqueness, both of which are present in circus performance.

• Terry has either directed or performed in, or both, ALL of the Acrobatic Conundrum shows

Emma Curtiss has been channeling her weirdness into art for nearly a decade. Her love of collaborative performance is always taking her somewhere new to play and create with others. When she isn’t up in the air or on her cyr wheel, she can be found teaching at the School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts in Seattle (SANCA).

• THE CIRCUS OF SECOND CHANCES, 2024 + 2022

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022

• VOLUME 8: CIRCUS FORETOLD, 2021

• RISING SIDEWAYS, 2021

Melissa K. Knowles is "professionally tiny" and can often be found hiding in your locker or being thrown high into the air by pretty much anyone. For the last decade she has toured across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia and has been spent the last 8 years performing and collaborating with Acrobatic Conundrum. Before discovering circus, she received degrees in Art and Psychology from the University of Tennessee. In 2010 she completed the Professional Training Program at New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) in Vermont.

She spends most of her time in Seattle performing, teaching circus, and making art at Equinox Studios. Her favorite thing about teaching and performing circus is the way it empowers people to do things they always thought impossible, but had just never tried.

• THE CIRCUS OF SECOND CHANCES, 2024 + 2022

• VOLUME 8: CIRCUS FORETOLD, 2021

• LOVE & GRAVITY, 2016

Kamila Nasr is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and sound engineer based out of Montreal. She has lived and worked in various parts of the world and loves collaboration of all kinds.  

She started touring at age 18 with multiple bands from around the globe as a singer and instrumentalist. Kamila has composed for film, video games, theatre, and circus.

She's passionate about bringing visuals to life with sound and telling stories through music. 

• THREADS, 2024

• CIRQUE DE PAMPLEMOUSSE, 2023

• THE CIRCUS OF SECOND CHANCES, 2022 

Mackenzie Breda (she/her) is a Seattle Stage Manager and Technician who is passionate about creating a safe an equitable environment within live performance art spaces. She has a Theatre Design and Technology degree from Seattle Pacific University. Some of the companies she has worked with include Taproot Theatre Company, Seattle Public Theatre, Vashon Repertory Theatre, Seattle Historical Theatre Project, and The Feast (fka The Williams Project). She also frequently does live event work around Seattle. She is thrilled to be working with Acrobatic Conundrum and experiencing circus for the first time with so many new friends. Much love to her family and friends! mackenziebreda.com

• THREADS, 2024

Max Sarkowsky (he/him) — Sound Design, Audio Engineering, Scenic Design and Assistant Direction: Max is a designer, musician and collaborative art-maker based in Seattle, exploring the boundaries between design disciplines for live performance. Max creates unique soundscapes, music, and visuals for a variety of projects including plays, podcasts, installations, dance, and film.  His freelance work with regional companies in Seattle and Colorado includes; ArtsWest, Sound Theatre Company, The UMO Ensemble, Acrobatic Conundrum, eSe Teatro, Vashon Repertory Theatre, Tales of the Alchemysts Theatre, and others, as well as Colorado College in Colorado Springs.  Max is thrilled to be back at 12th Avenue Arts working with Acrobatic Conundrum on Threads.  www.maxsarkowsky.com

• THREADS

• CIRQUE DE PAMPLEMOUSSE, 2023

Akrasia Arbogast is a multi-faceted performance artist. With an emphasis on indulgence, Akrasia shares the art of flight.

• THREADS, 2024

French artist Domitil Aillot trained at the internationally acclaimed Annie Fratellini Circus School. Here, he became one third of the acrobatic trio “Les Petits Freres”. Called the “Floating Act” by the European press because of their unique ability to defy gravity, “Les Petits Freres” have been captivating audiences around the world for many years. With the Freres, Domitil performed at some of the best venues in Europe including Cirque d’hiver Bouglione in Paris, Appolo Variete in Duseldorf, Tiger Palast in Frankfurt, and Winter Garden in Berlin. In the United States, Domitil has spent the last 10 years performing with Teatro ZinZanni in three cities. Always looking to add to his repertoire, Domitil trained with Mr. Lu Yi, master teacher and Artistic Director of San Francisco’s Circus Center, to develop a Chinese Pole act.

• VOLUME 8: CIRCUS FORETOLD, 2021

Erika Bergren (they/them) is an aerialist, artist, and writer. In circus they specialize in aerial rope, fabric, and flying trapeze. They began their circus journey under the guidance of Lingít/Athabascan aerialist and artist, Crystal Worl (@crystalworl on insta), who taught Erika in the first six years of their aerial training in an often frigid, but incredibly welcoming rock climbing gym on Lingít Aaní in Juneau Alaska. Erika moved down to Duwamish land, aka Seattle, in the summer of '21 to pursue circus full time. Since then they have had the privilege to learn from incredible aerialists (including Terry Crane and Ivanna Wei), perform locally at corporate events and showcases, and coach the best students. They also manage the Every Body Circus program at SANCA, which means that they get to nurture and coach classes for students of different abilities and underserved populations, including a gender affirming circus class and a class for students with mobility differences. They are constantly in awe of the strength, determination, humor, and wit of their students. Erika recognizes that they are part of a handing down of knowledge from one artist to the next. They stand on the shoulders of giants (figuratively, but often also literally, their acro bases are sometimes quite tall), and will happily middle a three high so the next person can reach higher (again, figuratively, literally if they have good spotters).

• THREADS, 2024

Emma Cady (they/he) is a Seattle based circus artist, actor, dancer, mover, and physical comic, who specializes in aerial arts and clown. As a multi-media creator and performer his work focuses on combining different performance disciplines to tell exciting, authentic, and entertaining stories that explore themes of community, healing, self discovery, and the power of sharing joy. Learn more at emmacady.com

• THREADS, 2024

Carey Cramer

• LOVE & GRAVITY, 2016

Seattle native Oliver Donaldson returns to join Acrobatic Conundrum for Volume 9: Thresholds! His journey to circus took a few unexpected turns along the way. A former member of the Seattle Opera Chorus and a Young Artist with Tacoma Opera, Oliver moved to NYC in 2011 to pursue a Masters in Opera. He found himself diving into the local circus scene in New York just a few years later. This new passion took him all over the world. He is excited to combine his love of opera and circus on stage with this lovely cast.

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022

Dream Frohe is an internationally recognized aerialist with a passion for thoughtful and dynamic movement. She approaches her art with presence and wonder and aspires to offer her audience a uniquely engaging experience. Using her background as a gymnast, in addition to a life long interest in dance and other art forms, she brings strong technique and a fresh style into her work as a performer, instructor and choreographer. She has been teaching and performing aerial dance, for over 10 years and is a founding member of the Bellingham Circus Guild, where she currently teaches and trains.

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022

Julaine Hall Julaine Hall is an acrobat and aerialist specializing in Chinese Pole. She also trains Aerial Straps, Aerial Rope, Handbalance, Juggling, Acro/Tumbling, Acro-dance, and loves to do group disciplines like Teeterboard/Korean plank and Group Acro. She began training circus at the ripe old age of two and a half and since then has performed around the United States in San Diego, throughout New England, and of course in her home town of Seattle. She can also play the guitar and is a prolific song writer.

• UNRAVELING, 2019

• BETWEEN DREAMS, 2021

• RISING SIDEWAYS, 2021

• CIRQUE DE PAMPLEMOUSSE, 2023

Lauren Joy Herley

Lauren is a highly experienced and internationally renowned circus artist specializing in corde lisse / vertical rope, contortion, and acrobatics. Lauren holds 25+ years of acrobatic experience and 10+ years interna

• UNRAVELING, 2019

Leah Jones hails from Portland, OR. She grew up dancing at the school of Oregon Ballet Theater, and transitioned from ballet into circus about ten years ago. Since then, Leah has trained straps extensively in Montreal with Cirque Du Soleil coach Chloe Farah and has performed locally with the Acrobatic Conundrum as well as further away, with companies such as Quixotic(Kansas City, USA) and Stufish Asia (Macau, China). Leah is first and foremost a student of straps, but also takes immense joy from coaching and collaborating with other circus artists.

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022

Faeble Kievman

• Vol. 6

Growing up, Gabby Leiva did gymnastics for 7 years, building a strong foundation of strength and flexibility. However, she yearned to express herself deeper than gymnastics routines allowed. After high school, Gabby decided to submerge herself into the world of circus. She was accepted into SANCA’s Professional Preparatory Program which allowed her to build a learning platform from which she could launch a performance career. She has had the honor to work with local circus companies such as Vuelta La Luna, The Cabiri, Chrysalis Circus, Animate Objects, and Acrobatic Conundrum. When not performing, she trains and teaches aerial arts and tumbling at SANCA.

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022
  

Katie Lynch

Katie is a full-time aerial arts instructor, founder of Ethereal Arts Northwest, and professional performer based out of Gig Harbor, WA. Her passion for fitness and people led her to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science with the intention of becoming an Occupational Therapist. However, she was swept into the world of circus arts and found she could use her skills and education in an entirely different way. Her main disciplines are aerial rope and hand-balancing; though she also instructs in silks, straps, and lyra.

• VOLUME 8: CIRCUS FORETOLD

Maureen Monroe

Maureen Elizabeth began her skyward exploration in 2012 when she moved to Ashland and became captivated by the beauty and athleticism of aerial circus arts.  She is the director of the Levity performance company, and has toured with the New Old Time Chautauqua,  the Acrobatic Conundrum  and annually graces the stages of the Oregon Country Fair.  Maureen also runs her own Pilates studio, Ashland Authentic Pilates.

• CIRQUE DE PAMPLEMOUSSE, 2023

• UNRAVELING, 2019

Christine Morano is a dancer & aerialist who has been coaching aerial since 2009, is a freelance professional aerialist, and is the founder of MoDa Movement Co. She has performed in companies throughout the country such as Asya Zlatina’s Artist House, Thom Lewis Dance Company, DanceFusion, Grounded Aerial, Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Brian Sanders' JUNK and Almanac Dance Circus Theater. Christine is thrilled to be working with Acrobatic Conundrum, which she has been a fan of for years.

Christine earned degrees in Biology as well as Dance from Stockton University, and has completed the Professional Training Program at Frequent Flyers Productions Aerial Dance Theater.  When she’s not circus-ing, Christine loves snuggles & time with her beloved dog Frankie.  She is highly collaborative and is always excited to create with other artists across all mediums.

• THREADS, 2024

• CIRQUE DE PAMPLEMOUSSE, 2023

Rachel Nehmer

Rachel Nehmer was introduced to circus arts at French Woods Festival at the age of 12. Despite her honest attempt to pursue a normal career path, earning her BS in Biology at Haverford College and taking a job in research at UW, she couldn’t stay out of the center ring for long! In 2004, she joined Lara Paxton’s aerial ensemble The Aerialistas. Soon after she began working with her now-husband Ben Wendel as Duo Madrona, which they debuted at the 2005 Moisture Festival and then took to the prestigious Cirque de Demain Festival, an epic tour of Switzerland with Circus Monti, collaborative creation on two continents with Circus Syzygy, an appearance on French television with Patrick Sebastian’s Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde, and over a decade of dinner show productions with Teatro Zinzanni. Rachel’s coaching experience includes teaching at studios and schools throughout the region, such as Versatile Arts, Emerald City Trapeze Arts, Knotty Yoga, and more.

• RISING SIDEWAYS, 2021

Leila Noone is a versatile movement artist who loves to tell stories through circus. As a hair suspension artist and handstand archer, she has toured the world on cruise ships performing her acts at amazing places all over North America, South America, Europe and the Caribbean and at Lost Spirits Distillery in Las Vegas, NV. She is a member of the contemporary circus company, Cirque Vida, based in Austin, TX, founder and one half of an aero-comedy show, The Accidental Acrobats and Unspun Tails Aerial Show. She is a four time American Ninja Warrior who enjoys collaborating with Acrobatic Conundrum on circus projects and is excited to join the cast of Threads.

• THREADS, 2024

• CIRQUE DE PAMPLEMOUSSE, 2023

PJ Perry has been multi-disciplinary aerialist since 2008, specializing in corde lisse since 2013. She was introduced to the rope in 2012 during a varieté theater contract (nothing like learning by performing!). After finishing the contract, she realized she’d found her apparatus. Though PJ is primarily an autodidact, she sought help from multiple coaches along the way and has studied rope with Alex Allan, Emiliano Ron, Gabrielle Tramullas, Ezra Weill, and all of the amazing rope community found at rope meetings. PJ loves the simplicity of this apparatus and thrives on chasing momentum. Her performance work is defined by her love of the narrative with a strong sense of intuitive pathways stemming from training and creating in relative isolation.

• UNRAVELING, 2019

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022

Jody Poth hails from Seattle and brings years of experience in all aerial forms, including duo and trio work. Jody has performed internationally, including engagements with the Newcomer Festival (Leipzig, Germany), Tu Si Que Vales (Rome, Italy), and most recently with Cirque du Soleil at Sea (Dubai, UAE). Jody currently performs regularly at The Pink Door Restaurant in Pike Place Market Seattle.

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022

Erica Rubinstein

• LOVE & GRAVITY, 2016

Hana Sambae

• CIRQUE DE PAMPLEMOUSSE, 2023

• VOLUME 8: CIRCUS FORETOLD, 2021

Driven by artistic passions and a need for movement, Xochitl Sosa spent her childhood in the San Francisco Bay-area immersed in dance, performance and circus arts. A graduate of the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA)’s yearlong professional program, Xochitl concentrated on Dance Trapeze and Duo Trapeze under the instruction of renowned coaches Aimee Hancock, and Serenity and Elsie Smith. She continued her professional training in Montreal, where she worked under coaches from Cirque du Soleil and L’Ecole nationale de cirque. Internationally renowned for her integration of Hispanic dance forms into her aerial work, she has brought her love for flamenco-inspired movement and the intensity of Spanish classical music together to create a unique and fluid style on dance trapeze. Still passionately chasing her dreams, Xochitl is a professional aerialist, dancer, acrobat, choreographer, and instructor.

• BETWEEN DREAMS, 2021

• LOVE & GRAVITY, 2016

Maria Tanitsoi is from Ukraine. She began her sports career at the age of 8; she was on the Ukrainian sports acrobatics team and received a Candidate for Master of Sports. At the age of 15 she went to work in China and since that time has never stopped developing her talents and traveling the world doing what she loves.

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022

Madison Ward is a multidisciplinary artist based out of Montreal. She attended the National Circus School with a focus on aerial rope, and minoring in acrobatics, Chinese pole, and hoop diving. Since graduating in 2019 she has worked for various companies and creative endeavors worldwide, enjoying all ranges of performance and experimentation. When she is not onstage she can be found writing, crouched next to a radio, or thrumming along to music in a studio.

• THREADS, 2024

Ivanna Wei started out in a career dancing with various companies in Chicago, New York city, and Los Angeles, and was introduced to aerial arts along the way. She has always found a deep sense of freedom and connection within dance and was delighted to find that same feeling in aerial, just with a different set of boundaries. She performs on multiple apparatus and sees each one as a different dance partner to create and explore with. She is so excited to be returning for her third show with Acrobatic Conundrum.

• THREADS, 2024

• VOLUME 9: THRESHOLDS, 2022

• VOLUME 8: : CIRCUS FORETOLD, 2021

Ezra Weill is from Seattle Washington, where he grew up street performing with his sister. His act, back in those days, was standing on 5 stacked-up skateboards and juggling knives. After many years of training at circus schools in Seattle, he went onto perform with a Vermont based youth circus, called Circus Smirkus. After graduating high school, Ezra attended l‘Ecole National de Cirque in Montreal, where he completed his studies in 2015 with a degree in aerial rope and hat juggling.

• THREADS, 2024

Ben Wendel

• VOLUME 8: CIRCUS FORETOLD