Welcome Show

Leah Orleans is a rollercoaster ride of wit, skill and sparkle. One-half of the comedy acrobatic duo Acrobatrix , she has entertained audiences on cruise ships, festivals, and military bases in 3 countries and 49 states (still missing North Dakota, in case you have a gig lead).

She is a graduate of The San Francisco Circus Center Clown Conservatory (2013), and a student at Ecole Nationale du Cirque’s summer sessions (2009-2013).  Leah has trained in contortion, unicycle, acrobatics, and the precise technique of making an audience fall in love through laughter, with her bright and bubbly character.

She is excited to announce the debut of her *SpArkLY NEW* full-length solo performance, Tiny Girl, Big Show! set to begin touring in New York, August 2022.

Theo was born in the North of France in 1992 and started diabolo at 15 when he saw for the first time a sticks’ release trick.

He then spent a few years training in various circus schools and travelling to juggling festivals, where he met many extremely talented diabolists (like Etienne Chauzy, Guillaume Karpowicz, and Alexis Levillon…). After graduating high school, he went to a professional circus school in Lille, then in Bordeaux.

During his years of training, he developed his own style based on releasing the sticks, always putting the visual before the difficulty of his tricks.

15 years later, Theo is still in love with this object, and is always searching for new tricks even more visually impressive. He is now known around the world for his unique 1 diabolo style. He is an accomplished artist who has worked for Cirque du Soleil, various cabarets, and european juggling festivals.

Photo Credit: GuYom / scenesdunord.fr

Luther Bangert is originally from southeast Iowa. After studying philosophy at the University of Iowa, he left the United States in 2010 to travel the world as a performer, first touring with the Great Bombay Circus in India and then with smaller companies and as a solo performer on the European street festival circuit. His dynamic ball juggling acts have led him to perform in twenty countries around the world. Luther is most interested in exploring the relationships within the fluidity and depth of juggling patterns and how rigid structures can be broken apart and rebuilt with softness. His philosophical musings and interest in dance and qi gong inform his unique approach to juggling, movement, improvisation, and musicality. Luther’s first theater length solo show, ‘Distillations,’ premiered in May.

Humor. Weird stories. Those eyebrows. Sam Malcolm uses his skeptical nature and innate curiosity paired with his wit and sarcasm to form an act that’s earned him international award and recognition. Combining high caliber technical juggling with critically acclaimed stand-up comedy, Sam will do whatever it takes to create laughter. Originally from the Stillwater Paiute-Shoshone Reservation, Sam currently lives in Denver where he spends his free time grooming his eyebrows and searching for new ways to make his crowds laugh. For more information, visit www.sammalcolm.com.

Sara Noelle and Wyatt Davis are juggling artists from East Oakland, California.

Sierra Rhoades Nicholls stands on her hands and juggles with her feet! Sierra has curly hair and if she isn’t training, she can probably be found eating cereal or wishing she had a dog. Sierra graduated from Circadium School of Contemporary Circus in 2021 with a double major in partner acrobatics and handstands. While Sierra has been turning herself upside down for her entire life, foot juggling is still pretty new to her, so she is thrilled to be performing at the IJA! Sierra founded a non-profit called CSAW – Connecting Circus Students Around the World which provides resources about international circus schools and grants for BIPOC circus artists. Learn more about Sierra at https://www.sierrarhoades.com/ – Learn more about CSAW at https://www.csawcircus.org/. Photo Credit: Avi PN

Kevin Flanagan is a classical guitarist turned circus artist from Bronxville, NY. His love of music started with his dad, who made sure that growing up sounded strange. He started taking guitar lessons at the age of ten and hasn’t stopped playing since. Kevin followed his love of playing to Ithaca College where he first discovered circus which, quickly became an obsession all its own. After graduation he went on to study at the Circadium School of Contemporary Circus. Kevin specializes in unicycle, partner acrobatics, and juggling.

Aaron Bonk is a 3-time International Performance Champion, 5-time Guinness World Record setting whip artist and he once got an A+ on a 4th grade spelling test. His one-man variety extravaganza is in high demand at Renaissance Fairs across the country and on cruise ships around the world. You may have seen his TV appearances on Steve Harvey’s Talk Show, Game of Talents and America’s Got Talent. With stupefying acts of juggling, whip cracking, music, danger and craziness, he amuses and amazes the whole family with his Seriously Ridiculous stunt show spectacular. For more information, check him out online at www.AaronBonk.com