Students continue performing dream

With the bruises on their arms evidence of gymnastic-like training and years worth of laughter, three former students came together two years ago to continue their teacher's dream in making Clovis' first aerial and circus arts group.

From flipping in the air to dancing through hoops, Hannah Henrichs, Valerie Dewbre and Elizabeth Rodriguez are owners of Clovis Aerial & Circus Arts, a performing group that strives to bring the circus to the city.

Rodriguez said a circus troupe should always exemplify everyone in the community and be open to accept everyone regardless of experience, age, gender or body type.

"Life is too short and you never know if you don't try ... you'll never know if it's something that you could love. It could be something that is really fun for you and it's unique that it is athletic but also very artistic," Henrichs said.

All three were once aerial art students for Upward Studio -- the previous name of their circus troupe -- before their instructor told them she would have to close shop as she was moving across the country.

Dewbre said in a group interview Thursday that they were devastated when they heard the news, especially since all of them had spent several years searching for an aerial and circus arts program within the area. That was when the three of them came together with their varying strengths to take up the mantle and continue the classes.

"We were the three that were like 'we would sign whatever paperwork we need to sign to keep the business going.' So she (their teacher) passed it down to us and we've been trying to make it grow ever since," Rodriguez said.

The three women have been teaching children and adults various circus acts while also showcasing their performances for the community, Rodriguez said. Their classes include aerial hoop, hammock, cube, static trapeze, hula hoop flow, strength and conditioning.

Henrichs, who specializes in physical fitness training and conditioning for the classes, said the circus is meant for everyone and they strive to implement that within their classes by having lessons that vary from beginner friendly to something for advanced gymnasts.

Dewbre, who has competed in gymnastic competitions since childhood and taught it throughout college, said even within their own leadership team they exemplify different levels of expertise and athletic backgrounds.

Despite her gymnastics career, Dewbre said she didn't start her training in aerial and ground performances until two years ago. Rodriguez and Henrichs said they also started performing aerial acts around the same time, but have learned to master the craft to teach others.

"I originally was trying to find a way to get fit and that's when I found this. So I decided to try it and I fell in love," Dewbre said.

Rodriguez said she had been living in Clovis nearly all her life and had a strong passion for the circus arts since she was a kid, but due to her family's financial hardship she wasn't able to pursue her dreams until she was an adult.

She said that despite not being able to dress up and practice on the mat like most circus performers, Rodriguez would often practice with hula hoop flow art in her bedroom at home. It wasn't until she found Henrichs and Dewbre two years ago at the Upward Studio that she was able to show her skills as a performer and explore the world of aerial arts.

Henrichs shared a similar background in that she wasn't trained as a child to do gymnastics or circus arts, but had always been athletically motivated through rock climbing and yoga. It was their different backgrounds that had made them a strong team in making the troupe a reality, Henrichs said.

"We all have a different piece of knowledge and experience that we have and we all have something that we need and the other person has. So it works out," Henrichs said.

One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to circus arts, is that everyone goes in believing they're not capable due to their physical strength or flexibility, Rodriguez said. She said the biggest thing their students and performers need to do when they walk onto that mat is "to get out of your head."

"Everytime after a show someone says 'I wish I could do it, but I'm not strong enough,' or 'I'm too old' or 'I'm not skinny enough.' And all of those are flat out not the case. You can start wherever you're at and you build it from there," Rodriguez said.

Henrichs said everyone has their own strengths, whether it be through acrobatics, flexibility or physical strength. She said what is important is that their students have the drive to push themselves and go out of their comfort zones to expand on those personal strengths.

For Dewbre there is nothing that gives a bigger confidence boost than performing on a hoop that is extended several feet in the air or doing ground acrobatics that push you to your limits. She said their ultimate goal as a troupe is to do more community events – they were at Heritage Days in Portales last weekend -- so that other aspiring performers can know there is a place for them.

Their circus troupe has done live performances this year for community events including Draggin' Main, Clovis' Pride Week Celebration and the city's Fourth of July celebration where the group performed with fire for the first time, Rodriguez said.

Henrichs said that with enough traction and students signing up for their classes, they hope to open their own studio and to get more performing equipment for their shows. She said they only want to expand their performing horizons and to make the circus accessible to everyone.

Clovis Aerial & Circus Arts currently consists of seven performing members, Henrichs said. They hope to continue to grow their students' confidence and performances so that they can be a part of the community shows.