By Selina Mao
A single dark tent, shadowed by the looming figure of an ancient tree, stood silently. Crimson curtains parted, a group of equally indistinguishable figures briskly infiltrated the previously veiled space. They settled, and a single spotlight appeared, illuminating the figure of an extravagantly dressed acrobat. Another spotlight revealed an exotic caged animal. A third light, revealing a seemingly careless tightrope performer, flawlessly executing otherwise impossible routines in mid air, was center stage. Mysterious, distant, an echo of a dream seems to be the image of circus instilled in me from countless movies, books, and children fairy tales. An organization of people who travel as shadows do, that was what I had believed made up a circus. It was a concept which I had never thought to venture further into, until I came into contact with a person affiliated with such a career. Someone who has kept the circus close to heart and who has treasured it just as anyone would treasure something he loved.
Meet Heather Chambers: circus performer, trapeze artist, trampolinist, tumbler, acrobat, juggler, unicyclist, aerial dancer, and Collingwood alumni.
A single dark tent, shadowed by the looming figure of an ancient tree, stood silently. Crimson curtains parted, a group of equally indistinguishable figures briskly infiltrated the previously veiled space. They settled, and a single spotlight appeared, illuminating the figure of an extravagantly dressed acrobat. Another spotlight revealed an exotic caged animal. A third light, revealing a seemingly careless tightrope performer, flawlessly executing otherwise impossible routines in mid air, was center stage. Mysterious, distant, an echo of a dream seems to be the image of circus instilled in me from countless movies, books, and children fairy tales. An organization of people who travel as shadows do, that was what I had believed made up a circus. It was a concept which I had never thought to venture further into, until I came into contact with a person affiliated with such a career. Someone who has kept the circus close to heart and who has treasured it just as anyone would treasure something he loved.
Meet Heather Chambers: circus performer, trapeze artist, trampolinist, tumbler, acrobat, juggler, unicyclist, aerial dancer, and Collingwood alumni.
I had certainly not expected that such a discovery would replace my movie-situated image of a broody circus vampire (reference: Cirque du Freak). Heather was born in Vancouver, Canada. She was first introduced to the circus around the age of ten, her interest stemming from a circus summer camp that her mother had suggested. By the end of the camp, she was enthralled by the precious art form. “At the end of the camp, my coach did a silks routine and I remember watching it and thinking that I wanted to be able to do everything that she could do. I wanted to be just like her,” Heather claims with enthusiasm. Her inspiration to hone her skill in circus was inspired by her love for aerial silks, “an apparatus that allows you to be very graceful and soft, but also very strong” she said.
As a circus performer, Heather finds influence from other forms of movement arts, such as dance. Heather further specifies her passion for circus: “I love it because it is such an expressive art and it is so unique”. She talks about the society of circus and how it is a very close-knit community, supporting and promoting growth rather than competing and obsessing over the win. She believes the entirety of circus is based upon personal growth, improvement and the “hopes of creating something beautiful”.
Her passion is not limited to the elegant aerial silks that brought her into circus. Heather also enjoys triple trapeze (similar to a static trapeze), unicycling and she aims to add to her repertoire of “tricking style” trampoline skills. Not only does she perform at the circus, but she also coaches. Although she is focusing on getting her undergraduate degree as a current priority, Heather states that she will continue to pursue circus performance and looks forward to the promise of further performance opportunities. Heather also emphasizes the diversity of techniques incorporated in the unique art form, stating that skills such as unicycling are “so specific to their skill base” and “difficult to incorporate with other ones.” However, she also observes that skills such as “trapeze and aerial silks connect very well” and that some skills are somewhat transferable between the apparatus.
As a circus performer, Heather finds influence from other forms of movement arts, such as dance. Heather further specifies her passion for circus: “I love it because it is such an expressive art and it is so unique”. She talks about the society of circus and how it is a very close-knit community, supporting and promoting growth rather than competing and obsessing over the win. She believes the entirety of circus is based upon personal growth, improvement and the “hopes of creating something beautiful”.
Her passion is not limited to the elegant aerial silks that brought her into circus. Heather also enjoys triple trapeze (similar to a static trapeze), unicycling and she aims to add to her repertoire of “tricking style” trampoline skills. Not only does she perform at the circus, but she also coaches. Although she is focusing on getting her undergraduate degree as a current priority, Heather states that she will continue to pursue circus performance and looks forward to the promise of further performance opportunities. Heather also emphasizes the diversity of techniques incorporated in the unique art form, stating that skills such as unicycling are “so specific to their skill base” and “difficult to incorporate with other ones.” However, she also observes that skills such as “trapeze and aerial silks connect very well” and that some skills are somewhat transferable between the apparatus.
Most important of all, beyond skill level, unity, and aesthetics, the circus brings her happiness. Continuing to define herself, Heather believes that circus is a sport, an art, a beautiful unique craft that “incorporates the strength, flexibility, and agility of athletics with the grace, creation and technique of an art”. Circus is a form of performance arts that allows individuals to cast off their shells and to touch the freedom of trying new things and exercising their imagination. Heather ends our virtual interview with this guarantee: “You will meet so many characters at the circus and everyone there has this amazing desire to create and grow which makes me so happy”. Thus, in our heads (those of us who had a previously crazy concept of circus), as the circus lights dim and the music echoes into the depth of precious memories, a sound of resounding and mirthful laughter will also ensue.
