Even if you’ve never been to a Cirque du Soleil show, you’ve probably seen some of their breathtaking performances online. Or maybe you attended an aerial silk class and fell in love with the mesmerizing art form while testing your own physical limitations. Whatever your introduction to aerialists, it’s only natural to be impressed by these awe-inspiring artists.
An aerial performer is as much an athlete as a dancer. Depending on the choreography, they can also be duelers, lovers, and everything in between.
With that in mind, it probably comes as no surprise that the road to becoming an aerialist is a long one. Those who hope to work for an entertainment company someday must spend years–if not decades–honing their craft. And if they want to keep audiences engaged, they must continuously learn new moves, so they can incorporate different stunts into their repertoire.
Read on if you’re wondering what the specific steps to becoming an accomplished aerial dancer are. While everyone’s path is unique, they all include the following milestones:
1.Build Muscle
Aerial dancers often use muscles that the average person doesn’t. As such, strength training is a critical component of becoming a performer. While trainees will certainly build muscle when practicing, they can progress faster if they lift or do bodyweight exercises on their days off.
2.Master the Basics
Whether using a rope, silk, lyra, trapeze, strap, or hammock, an aerial performer must have total control over their body. They need to have mastered balance, agility, and grip, all of which they should start working on from day one.
Most aerialists turn to a gym, coach, or mentor who is equipped to help them tackle the foundational movements. Once they’re comfortable doing these, they can proceed to the next step.
3.Develop Specific Skills
No matter how complex, every set can be broken down into a series of simpler movements, called tricks, transitions, and shapes. Each movement demands specific skills, which can take hundreds of hours to master. Putting in the work is the next step on the path to performing in any kind of professional capacity.
4.Choreograph an Act
Once an aerialist-in-training has a solid grasp on tricks, transitions, and shapes, they can put them together in countless combinations to create unforgettable acts. The best shows tell a story or have some kind of overarching theme, with the costumes and music to match.
5.Perform for an Audience
If the aerialist is talented enough, they may draw the attention of an entertainment company. They can then take their show on the road to awe audiences all over the world.
Hire an Aerial Dancer to Perform at Your Next Event!
If you’re planning an event and you want to work with an entertainment company that recruits only the most talented aerialists, look no further than Zen Arts. Equipped to put on spectacular performances at high speeds and even higher heights, we can supply both the dancers and the rigging to ensure their show goes off without a hitch. Visit our website to book an aerial performer for your next event.