The Aerial Creation Lab
A 3 day workshop in L.A.
to help you find innovation
through collaboration
With Rain Anya of Paper Doll Militia
Get unstuck. Tell bigger stories…together.
If you've ever thought, "I don't just want to do tricks. I want to make art."
this workshop was designed for you.
If you want to create innovative and surprising aerial work...
...you won’t get there by training your butt off in isolation, hyperfocusing on getting that next hard trick. Beacuse the most memorable moments are usually found through experimentation and collaboration.
Of course, that's easier said than done.
Getting a group of aerialists together consistently (especially in LA!) can feel impossible. And even if by some miracle everyone shows up, where do you start? How do you move beyond skills sharing and actually create something together?
Enter the Aerial Creation Lab.
Guided by Paper Doll Militia co-founder Rain Anya, you'll spend the weekend exploring a collection of theatrical devising tools, creative prompts, and collaborative experiments drawn from more than two decades of creating original aerial theatre. Together, you'll generate movement, images, and theatrical moments that no one aerialist could have created alone.
This workshop is built on these simple core beliefs:
- Aerial can be as emotionally engaging as it is physically impressive.
- Collaboration unlocks ideas that rarely emerge in isolation.
- The most memorable moments onstage are found through experimentation, not a burst of inspiration.
You’ll leave with practical creative tools you can return to again and again. Come see what happens when aerial becomes one part of a much bigger story.
Mixed Apparatus | All Levels
September 18 - 20, 2026 @ Dragonfly Studios, Los Angeles, CA
This workshop is for aerialists who…
- Want to create innovative aerial work through theatrical methods
- Are comfortable enough on your apparatus to explore beyond prescribed movements - there are no pre-requisites or level requirements
- Are excited to devote an entire weekend to your creative practice in a focused environment
- Thrive working in-person and collaboratively with other like-minded aerialists
- Are curious about Vertical Theatre Method, and want to see what it’s all about
- Have attended Vertical Theatre Method workshops before and want to dive deeper into ensemble creation
“This workshop fed my aerial and movement soul.”
- Nafeesa Islam, Los Angeles, CA
You do NOT need a background in dance or theatre to attend this workshop, the material is designed for aerialists of all backgrounds and embraces a wide scope of approaches.
Stand on the Shoulders of (Theatrical) Giants
Circus and aerial work is largely “devised,” as in the artists usually create their acts themselves. This is unlike traditional dance, where a choreographer creates material for dancers, or theatre, where actors lean on written text and a director.
In circus, we tend to have a lot of creative freedom when developing our own acts. In fact, we’re usually expected to be the performer, the choreographer, the costume designer, director, and more!
But here’s the problem. There’s a HUGE gap.
Circus artists are expected to create everything from the ground up, but rarely given any devising tools or structures. In other words, we are not taught HOW to devise work, just expected to figure it out on our own.
Meanwhile, theatre practitioners have been developing theatrical devising methods for decades. There are rich, detailed frameworks for creating performance, building ensembles, and shaping ideas into theatrical experiences. Yet much of this knowledge has remained disconnected from the circus world.
We’re here to bridge that gap.
Since 2006, Paper Doll Militia has been developing the Vertical Theatre Method: a collection of theatrical devising tools adapted specifically for aerial and circus artists.
In this workshop, we’ll explore approaches inspired by Frantic Assembly, Viewpoints, and Moment Work, exploring how these methods translate into a suspended world. You’ll learn how to move beyond “what should I do with my arm?” and explore movement that communicates ideas, emotions, and stories.
Meet your instructor
Rain Anya
Rain is co-founder of the international aerial theatre company, Paper Doll Militia and has been creating, performing, and coaching with the company since its inception in 2006. With over 3 decades of experience on stage, Rain continues to push the boundaries of aerial arts through her work with her innovative approach to choreography and poignant use of theatricality.
Rain has created and produced 6 full length aerial theatre productions and played a leading creative role in numerous other projects. Her work has been presented at internationally recognized festivals including Manipulate Visual Theatre Festival (Edinburgh), Vault Festival (London), and Revolutions International Theatre Festival (Albuquerque), as well as on stages throughout the U.S. and UK.
Rain’s devised work often sprouts from the seed of a strong scenographic vision; she brings that vision to life through the integration of theatre and circus arts.
Drawn to unique and invented apparatus, Rain has crafted aerial pieces on aerial clockworks, a crooked ladder, a swinging streetlamp, to name a few. Her latest project, Homeostasis, takes place on a large-scale visual interpretation of the human nervous system made entirely out of ropes. To find out more about Paper Doll Militia’s projects, visit the website here.
"Rain has a magical way of translating your expertise and singular approach to aerial in a way that is accessible, inspiring, safe, brave, and fun. The workshop was confidence-boosting, relationship-building, and artistically gratifying. Check, check, and check.”
- Sarah Atenhan – LA and Nashville. @lazy.aerialist
What is Vertical Theatre Method?
Vertical Theatre Method is Paper Doll Militia’s unique approach to devising original aerial performance. VTM has been the basis for the company’s own original productions and continues to evolve through the process of sharing the material in specialty workshops.
Rain & Sarah continue to travel teaching workshops to help aerialists approach their aerial work with curiosity and play.
VTM provides tools to deepen your creative practice with exercises in improvisation, physical theatre, musicality, character, and stage presence. Utilize your aerial skill set to tap into personal expression and tell stories of the heart.
"The Vertical Theatre Method invites just the right amount of structure to facilitate the creation of truly amazing art."
- Casey Gardner
What Vertical Theatre Method is NOT
- Expecting you to “be creative” with little guidance or structure
- Asking you to be vulnerable without a safe container
- Surface level “creative prompts” without real tools to support the process
What to expect
- Strong use of structure; clear frameworks and helpful tools to guide the way
- A focus on collaboration over competition - support from your ensemble so you feel safe to express
- An opportunity to go deep and access your authenticity as an artist
“But I’m not creative…”
Ok, time for some myth-busting. Creativity isn’t something you’re born with.
Creativity research consistently shows that it’s a skill that can be developed, not a personality trait.Just like strength or flexibility, creativity grows through experimentation and repetition.
We aerialists dedicate so much time and focus to skill building, conditioning, and flexibility training. But we rarely dedicate the same time and attention to our creative skillset.
I get it. Practicing creativity alone can feel uninspiring, and isolating. But creating with others can feel intimidating and overwhelming.
A facilitated creative container gives you the best of both worlds: structure to guide the process and a supportive environment where you can experiment and feel safe to take artistic risks.
So…are you ready to flex your creativity muscles??
Cost: $450 - Full workshop weekend
*Because creative magic loves company…sign up with a friend (or two), and you’ll each get $50 off your tuition. Email Rainanya@gmail.com to unlock the discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What apparatus will we be working on?
We’ll be using a variety of apparatus throughout the weekend. Participants will be given a pre-workshop survey so that the apparatus in the room reflects the preferences of the group. For many exercises, since we will be working in an ensemble, you may find yourself branching out to new apparatus frontiers.
Do I need to be at a certain level to attend?
Not at all! The beauty of this kind of work is that the exercises we will be working on can be applied to a broad range of levels and skills. For example, you can work in a low fabric knot and you will still be exploring the same theatrical concepts as someone working with higher level skills. The material is highly modular.
Will we be learning any skills or sequences in this workshop?
You will not be learning any new skills or sequences from the instructor. However, we will be doing some explorative exercises where YOU and the other participants will discover YOUR OWN material through experimentation and play.
Is this only for performers?
This workshop is not just only for those who perform. We’ll be working with tools to develop and deepen our own creative practice, which can be fulfilling and even cathartic, as it’s a way to bring something that’s inside, out to the surface.
Movement is a form of expression just like speaking, writing, painting, singing, etc…Some people do these things to share it to the world, and others choose to express for the sake of personal expression.
I’m really interested in this kind of thing, but I’m really nervous about improvisation in front of others
You’re not alone! Improv / creativity-based classes can feel intimidating and even scary for many people. Just know that you will undoubtedly not be the only one at this workshop a little nervous. Part of this work is becoming more comfortable with being seen, and this workshop is a chance to do this at your own pace (you always have the choice to step out and be an observer) and in a safe environment.
What folks are saying
“This workshop helped me find my inspiration again, to dig deeper in my own work, and to feel more confident in finding my choreographic voice.” - Heather Meyer, NYC
"Vertical theatre method and the art of performing was the missing piece of my aerial practice that I didn’t realize I was missing."
- Shelly Murphy
"The Vertical Theater method has had a big impact on my practice! It helped me develop my style and become more versatile and expressive, which is so very rewarding and i continue to use the exercises all the time."
- Lena Selivanova
"My favourite part was the Vertical Theatre Method. I have never attended a class quite like it. They created a safe, judgement-free, and inclusive space.
It was a delight to allow them to guide me to explore different theatrical and creative elements in the air. I have come home feeling inspired and motivated to continue that exploration on my own."
-Emma Ayling
"Sarah and Rain provided spaces and opportunities for self-revealing, creative, and empowering movements. It dawned on me that it wasn’t a lack of dance or theater expertise that prevented me from being a good aerial performer.
Rather, I need to pull away layers (tendencies, unhelpful cultural or personal judgments) to reveal a wonderfully unique performer that already exists inside of me.
This new confidence in myself as an authentic aerialist and performer emerged within the safe and encouraging community under Sarah’s and Rain’s leadership."
-Katherine Lindeburg
“[Rain] inspired me to think out of my aerial box and bring more uniqueness, personality, and expression to what I do in the air (and on the floor). ”
- Allie Mitchell - Los Angeles, CA
“PDM is such a creative force, and the fact that Rain and Sarah are also such generous and talented educators is a gift. They create such a warm and welcoming space to learn, and they're talented teachers, able to break down concepts into bite-size, digestible pieces.”
- Arisa Kim - Los Angeles, CA