Circus Spectacular Cast

Hayley Brown is an aerialist specializing in dance trapeze and fabric. She graduated from NECCA’s ProTrack programs in 2018 and has since taught at the Sellam Circus School, SHOW Circus Studio, and NECCA, where she also served as an artistic advisor to ProTrack students. She performed nationally and internationally with the Massachusetts based ensemble Double Edge Theatre from 2003-2016. Hayley is most interested in aerial training, creation and performance as a method for inner storytelling and creative expression over virtuosity; when the body itself is the art. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work.

Jay Clement is a NECCA ProTrack graduate based in Aotearoa (New Zealand) with a background in dance, music, and fine arts. He has performed with internationally renowned circus company The Dust Palace, as well as many other arts companies within Aotearoa, including the world recognised World of Wearable Arts. He specialises in Duo Trapeze and Aerial Straps, and has choreographed many large pieces as well. Further contributions include co-founding an award-winning circus theatre company, Manubrium Circus Theatre, and co-directing Aotearoa’s premiere youth circus company HighJinx, which has also received awards for fusing circus arts and film, and a postgraduate degree from The University of Auckland where he has also guest lectured.

Ariele Ebacher has been a performing circus professional for 24 years. Coming of age in the traditions of dance and theater, she takes great joy and pride in fusing the spectacle and virtuosity of circus, with the poetry and storytelling of dance and theater. She has had the great pleasure of traveling the world performing in every context imaginable, from black box theaters to international festivals; small circus tents to cruise ships; and everywhere in between. Some of the circus companies she has worked with include The Midnight Circus, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, NoFit State Circus, Circus Flora, Cirque Mechanics, Flynn Creek Circus, Big Apple Circus, Venardos Circus, and Circus Bella. She is also a co-founder of the American Circus Alliance, which aims to unite and champion circus arts and circus workers across the nation.

Elsa was first introduced to circus while at college in the form of partner acrobatics. From there, she found her way to NECCA, where she specialized in aerial straps and handbalancing. Since then, she has performed in the US, as well as internationally at Cirque De Demain, Sandals Resorts International, Boston Circus Guild and Nimble Arts. Elsa is excited to be debuting her first solo act on aerial hoop at Circus Spectacular this year!

John Higby The Yo-Yo Guy has performed his high energy comedy Yo-Yo show in 27 countries and has 4 Guinness World Records as well as a World Yo-Yo champion title.

Alex Jackson is a Boston based circus performer who is never happier than when he is upside down. He began his circus career learning to juggle while earning degrees in Biology and Theater from UMass Amherst. After graduating, his passion for rock climbing led him to Esh Circus Arts, where he trained a variety of aerial disciplines before attending the Professional Training program at the New England Center for Circus Arts. While his first love was aerial rope, his main disciplines now include straps, hand balancing and partner acrobatics. Alex performs regularly with the Boston Circus Guild and teaches at Esh Circus Arts and Eastern Acrobatics and Circus. Follow his adventures on instagram @alex_on_straps.

Hayley is a multidisciplinary circus performer specializing in aerial silks and Cyr wheel. With a BA in dance from Oberlin College, she utilizes her movement background to bring a crisp, complex style to her choreography that underscores her commanding stage presence. Currently residing in Chicago, Hayley performs at live events across the country, pursues duo aerial as both porter and flyer, and tours internationally in the ensemble of Brave Space by Aloft Circus Arts.

Nick is an award-winning Asian American circus artist known for his dynamic style peppered with moments of emotive stillness. He recently fulfilled his dream of joining the cast of Messi10 by Cirque du Soleil as a corde lisse specialist and rotating character. Let him bring you on an adventure.

Together, Katie Schmidt and Victoria Quine are Duo Levity, a partnership that aims to seriously lighten things up. They met while teaching at NECCA and have been making weird, joyful, irreverent art together since 2018. Between them, they have over 38 years of circus experience on four continents, have taught at over fifteen circus schools, and have spent countless hours laughing at each other upside down in the air or in a pile on the ground. As artists, they delight in being with each other and sharing that love with the audience. You can follow along with their antics on Instagram @DuoLevityCircus.

Originally from New Orleans but currently calling Vermont home, Rachel is a magnetic multi-disciplinary performer specializing in aerial rope. After earning a degree in Theatre Arts from Boston University, Rachel went on to train at the New England Center for Circus Arts, graduating in 2019. Recently, Rachel has performed aboard Virgin Voyages and with Cirque Dreams in their show, Holidaze.

Stacey Strange is a quintuple threat. A multidisciplinary circus, musical, and visual artist, she often combines art forms to create transportive entertainment rooted in meaningful storytelling. Her creations include circus short films, touring productions, and the occasional novel. She is the founder and creative director of Air Temple Arts in Connecticut and has taught and performed myriad circus arts across the US and internationally. Her work has been called ‘As smart as it was entertaining—and it was very entertaining indeed.’ (The New Haven Independent) You can learn more about her at www.staceystrange.com or on Instagram @seriffim.

Doug graduated from the New England Center for Circus Arts and has worked for Circus Smirkus, Chicago’s Midnight Circus, AIDA Cruises, Live305Entertainment, Westchester Circus Arts, All Wheel Sports, Cirque Dreams and Cirque Us tours. In 2023, Doug received a speciality award at the NewComers show in Germany for his Duo Straps Act.

Troy Wunderle is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of art, and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. He performed with Ringling and has been featured on the Disney channel, The Today Show, Martha Stewart, Chronicle, Fetch, Fox and Friends, and Americas Funniest Home Videos. Troy is the founder of Wunderle's Big Top Adventures . He spent 6 years as Director of Clowning for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and 26 years as a director for Circus Smirkus. Troy is the 2022 recipient of the American Circus Educators - Excellence in Circus Education Award.