About the SHOW

The Pieces is a new circus show about shared weight. The ladders are not props but partners: they demand listening, negotiation, and trust. Nothing stands alone for long. Towers only rise when responsibility is distributed. Collapse is not failure — it is information. Breath, impact, friction, and suspension create a live architecture that evolves in real time. The performers are not demonstrating tricks; they are testing systems. In a cultural moment defined by division and noise, The Pieces offers something physical and immediate: a reminder that resilience is built collectively, and that strength is not domination, but support.

Age 8 and up.

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About THE COMPANY

Founded in 2005 by Shayna Swanson, Aloft Circus Arts creates contemporary circus that lives in the space between daring and tenderness. Drawing from the innovation of the new circus movement, the spectacle of the traditional big top, and the wit and warmth of vaudeville, our work invites audiences into moments of shared risk, joy, and recognition.

We believe circus is a powerful language—one that speaks directly to the body and the heart. Our performances are designed as an emotional conversation, accessible to all, regardless of age, background, or familiarity with circus. Whether intimate or expansive, playful or profound, Aloft’s work centers human connection and the beauty of being present together.

Our current repertoire includes Brave Space, a critically acclaimed, internationally touring immersive performance that creates an environment of trust, vulnerability, and collective experience; Sanctuary Cabaret, our ongoing monthly performance series in Chicago celebrating circus, variety, and experimentation; and The Pieces, a new work in development designed for outdoor performance (and adaptable for stages), premiering in summer 2026. Each project reflects our commitment to curiosity, courage, and the evolving possibilities of circus.

Aloft’s work takes many forms—from full-length productions and immersive environments to cabaret, short-form performance, and custom-created acts for unique spaces and events. We approach each collaboration as a creative partnership, shaping performances that respond to the energy of the audience and the character of the space.

Based in Chicago and touring internationally, Aloft has performed from Houston to Hong Kong, Chicago to Shanghai. Our artists are known for exceptional training, inventive choreography, and striking custom costuming, paired with a deep respect for safety, professionalism, and care. Whether on a stage, under the open sky, or in unexpected places, Aloft Circus Arts crafts experiences that linger—performances that invite audiences to feel deeply, laugh freely, and imagine what might be possible when we choose to be brave together.

https://www.aloftcircusarts.com

NECCA is built on a foundation of support. We cannot do what we do without the generosity of our sponsors.  Please join us in thanking them.

Annual Sponsors

• Trapeze Annual Sponsor: Brattleboro Savings & Loan, The Porch
• High Wire Annual Sponsor:  Back Roads Granola, Holiday Inn Express
• Acrobat Annual Sponsor:  Reuter Foundation Repair, Brattleboro Veterinary Clinic, Brattleboro Tire
• In-Kind Sponsors: Brattleboro Portable Storage, Renaud Tree Care, Minuteman Press,

Fall Season Sponsors

• Vermont Country Deli

We believe that the arts, youth empowerment, and mental and physical wellness are critical for our community, and we are deeply grateful to these businesses who strengthen our circles of support by being NECCA sponsors.