A Photo Essay by Ariane Kunze
Words by Bailey Meyers
The performer’s limbs snake through fluttering silks, the fabric crisscrossing around his body in brightly colored loops. On his face is an expression of pure concentration: brow furrowed, eyes unblinking, lips tight with concentration. The silks are attached to the ceiling of the gymnasium, and the performer is so tangled in them that he can nearly touch it. In one fluid motion, he’s twirling to the ground, flipping gracefully in the air until he is nearly at the matted floor once again.
Fenix Cobbledick has been training for the circus for eight years, though not the kind most would think of. When a person hears the word “circus,” his or her mind may move to the classic three-ring iteration, with its lion tamers, clowns, and tightrope walkers.
The new circus, Cirque du Soleil being one of the most significant members, focuses more on exploring the artistry and capabilities of the body than mindless entertainment.
Performer Annie Rupp says, “It’s an opportunity to do something that’s kind of strange and beautiful.” Annie has been practicing circus performance for about two-and-a-half years along with her performance partner, who likes to be referred to as simply “Francia.” Francia has been training for roughly four years, and also teaches at Bounce Gymnastics. “There’s a lot of trust that’s involved in doing partner stuff,” Francia says.
“We get to showcase our strength that each individual has … Annie’s really flexible, and my tricks focus more on strength, but then we put it together and … people can see the chemistry.”
