- Paper Doll Militia

by : Paper Doll Militia

August 31, 2023

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🎈I performed an aerial act at my own birthday p

🎈I performed an aerial act at my own birthday party

In the midst of a very busy time... preparing for a retreat, circus show, and leaving town for a month…I decided to throw a 90’s themed party for my 40th birthday. Not only that, I opted to perform at my own party.

It was a very casual performance surrounded by friends and family. But even so, that decision could have added more stress and overwhelm to my life right now.

But it didn’t.

In fact, it was easy-peasy and joyful all around. Now, as I pack and get ready for the next big thing, I have time to reflect on why.

💭At every big milestone, I think it’s an important time to pause and take stock. What are the lessons of this decade?

Ok, what does this have to do with performing a circus act at a house party? Stay with me…

I was able to have a joyful, stress-free performing experience because of some lessons that have taken me 40 years to learn and integrate into my life

✨Clarity of intention
✨Trust in my creative process
✨Letting go of ego

The intention was CLEAR. This act was to have joyful experience and share what I love with my family and fiends, some of which have never even seen me perform!

I needed to trust my creative practice because I really didn’t have time to create this act, at all. But I did it anyway, and I did it QUICK. No time for self-doubt or decision fatigue.

I chose a song that was nostalgic & inspirational, that I knew would throw me into creation mode. I choose choreography that I knew and loved, throwing only 1 new move into the mix.

I created something I was proud of in only 2 practice sessions. As i was creating it I could zoom out and appreciate how all my years of expirience made this possible.

I even managed to avoid perfectionism. I attribute this to perhaps the hardest and most rewarding lesson in this post…letting go of ego (always a work in progress)

I could write an entire post about shedding ego in performance but this caption is already too long. So I’ll just say this:

Once you let go of trying to IMPRESS people, you make more room to impact your audience. It’s also MUCH more enjoyable for the artist

What are your favorite lessons from this decade? 👇

I was forced to totally change my approach to aeri

I was forced to totally change my approach to aerial . . .

🎪 After 20 years as a circus performer and educator, I’ve learned to push through pain and hunger for the sake of my craft. But with pregnancy came a new reality: Right now I can only take on projects that prioritize my basic needs - eating, peeing, resting - exactly when I need them.

🤰🏻 Enter “Skinbag” - a new circus/performance piece we’re developing at the Studio at Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland. It dives into the beautiful and grotesque journey of pregnancy, exploring both the spiritually sacred and physically profane aspects of creating a new human.

🎭 What makes “Skinbag” unique? It’s fueled by the ideas implanted in me during pregnancy. We’re shaking up our rehearsal process with a “Needs-Based Break System,” putting basic needs before scenes. It’s a departure from my decades-long experience, offering insights into a holistic approach to creativity.

📸 Stay tuned as I document this journey for our online audience!

Thank you for the support to research this concept @captheatres

Other creative who will be a part of this process
@badoreti - composer (and baby daddy)
Monika Smekot - video artist
@Lucy Creative Assistant and Technician

And all of our unborn children, the ones who are not coming and the one who is.

Photo and Video Credit - @MonikaSmekot

🌟 Wow! As luck has it you didn’t miss out, th

🌟 Wow! As luck has it you didn’t miss out, the universe gave you a second chance. So sign up before these spots go too!

😲As week 1 Sold out in 24 hours, we decided to stay in Mexico for a second week! We’re as excited as you are, so come join the party! (it’s gonna be a good one)

Why do we love retreats so much? Honestly, it’s the best antidote to burnout for aerialists! Burnout isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a tangible reality for so many…even those of us who may live and work in a creative workspace. Does any of this sound like you?

🔴So busy with other life commitments (job, kids, etc…) that you feel like you’re not getting enough aerial time

🔴Tons of fun aerial goals you want to tackle, but the saved videos just keep piling up on instagram and you haven’t made a dent

🔴You carve out that aerial time, but are just so darn exhausted, physically or mentally

🔴 Love sharing aerials, so you teach, but find yourself giving more than you receive

🔴Pouring from an empty cup…

Sure, there’s a lot of ways we can manage stress and handle burnout in our day to day life, but there’s just nothing like a good old fashioned reset. That’s why we’re all about aerial retreats – the ultimate reset button.

🌈 Join us and refill your cup by committing to YOU! 🌈

🏝️Aerial Escapades with Sarah Bebe Holmes & Rain Anya
🎊Silks & Sling
💃🏼All Levels Welcome! (we use a group structure)
📅 Dec 7 - 14 2024
📍 Casa Chango, Puerto Escondido, Mexico @sweetretreatsmx

“This retreat was just what this momma needed! It rejuvenated my passion for playing on silks. It brought me so much joy and renewed my confidence in my abilities. I met so many inspiring, kind, beautiful people. Getting to spend the week with them, exploring our shared love of aerial was amazing.” Jenn (Panama Retreat)

So jump on over to the link in our bio to book your spot now…before they disappear again!

🎓✨ The joy of learning! Check out these aweso

🎓✨ The joy of learning! Check out these awesome aerialists who all got together this month in Regina, Canada for our in-person Level 1 Silks Teacher Training.

There’s something special about deep focus - carving out a week of your life to dive into the learning process. These aerialists worked hard, shared stories, spotted each other, and had meaningful conversations about technique and inclusivity.

🎉Applause to our latest graduates

🌟Keep an eye out for these instructors cause they’ve got it going on!

@sasssball
@Hillaryflesher
Christopher West
@ellen_marie25
@BeveGardner
@Victoria.aerials

We’re continually inspired by the unwavering strength and solidarity present in the aerial community. It’s a privilege to work alongside such driven and inspirational individuals.

To our graduates, your dedication and hard work on this journey haven’t gone unnoticed. Here’s to propelling you forward into the next chapter of your aerial adventures! 🚀🎉

Sending an extra special thanks to @FlyFitRegina for bringing us into your community, and @jessicajay for your stellar leadership as a PDM master trainer 🤩

I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, b

I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but this is your invitation to get weird with your art

Take that risk. Experiment with new approaches, new mediums, new styles.

You know that weird idea that popped into your head when you were falling asleep last night? Yes, that one. Try it! Guess what, even if it “doesn’t work” I bet you’ll learn something.

If you’re open to it, I bet it will lead somewhere...maybe even somewhere unexpected and bizarre.

Circus is the artform for the outcasts, the weirdos, the folks on the fringe. Contemporary circus invites us to explore with other mediums and expand the definition of circus.

Aerialists, I’m talking to you. Your apparatus....that’s object theatre right there. How can you push the boundaries of what we consider aerial arts?

I can’t wait to see what you do...

Like this post? Follow our page for more insights on the creation process, we’d love to have you join our community of movers and shakers.

#contemporarycircus #aerialtheatre #creativeprocess #lyra #gyra

Apparatus by @circusgear in creative collaboration with Paper Doll Militia

UPDATE: Those retreat is sold out! But we just ope

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info@PaperDollMilitia.com retreatsaerial@gmail.com pdmteachertraining@gmail.com