The Expressive Aerialist
A 3 day workshop in L.A.
to help you turn up the
volume on your creativity
With Rain Anya of Paper Doll Militia
Own your movement. Find your flow. Create in community.
For aerialists who want to go beyond the tricks and develop
your own unique style, with authenticity & theatricality.
If you want to develop a style that's unmistakably yours...
....and explore the edges of your creativity; you won’t get there by learning more tricks and drops, or replicating other’s movement. This weekend intensive will help you transform your aerial skills into works of art with guided performance techniques and creativity practices from Paper Doll Militia’s Vertical Theatre Method. By adding layers of theatricality, no one will be focused on what you're doing. They'll be captivated by how you're doing it.
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Mixed Apparatus | All Levels Workshop
August 1 - 3, 2025 @ Dragonfly Studios, Los Angeles, CA
This workshop is for aerialists who…
- See the potential for expression within aerial arts, and want to hone thier craft
- Are comfortable enough on your apparatus to explore beyond prescribed movements - there are no prerequisites 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 go deeper
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.
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 her 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, presented in the U.S. & UK, and been a lead artist on countless other projects. 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.
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.
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.
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
Creativity is not something you’re either born with or not. It’s a skill that can be developed. Aerialists dedicate so much time and focus to skill building, conditioning, and flexibility training. But there’s not as much guidance or resources for those who want to refine the craft of performance. Many of us are thrown into our first performance opportunity, expected to be our own choreographer, director, costume designer, and more. (sound familiar anyone?) This workshop will not only help you develop these skillsets, but also give you a framework that you can use over and over again for years to come. Are you ready to flex your creativity muscles?
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, you will be able to work on your apparatus of choice, but not always.
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. While we will cover certain performative techniques, the material is also highly geared toward deepening your creativity practice. 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.
Will I leave this workshop with a new act?
This workshop will offer you tools and repeatable methods that you can use in a variety of ways, however we will not be devoting time to individual act development.
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
"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
"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
"The Vertical Theatre Method invites just the right amount of structure to facilitate the creation of truly amazing art." - Casey Gardner
"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