Performers in contemporary circus

Chapter 3, Performers in Contemporary Circus, explores the ways in which the presentation of bodily prowess in circus is being contested. In Traditional Circus, circus performers are often presented as being almost superhuman. Performers generally display their bodily prowess in order to elicit feelings of awe and wonder and also, with some acts, a visceral or kinaesthetic response from audience members. Now, in much Contemporary Circus, this presentation of bodily physical prowess is being contested, with many creators becoming increasingly interested in presenting the performer as being vulnerable, with the aim of revealing their essential humanity and weaknesses, and connecting with audience members on a human-to-human level. The range of approaches in relation to the presentation of prowess in performance is one of the many challenges that performers now face in Contemporary Circus. The diversity of practice presents challenges not only for performers, but also for circus schools, in deciding how best to equip graduates for the complexities of the field.
In Part 2, the Voices section, conversations are included with the following 10 creators working in the field of Contemporary Circus, many of whom are, or have been, performers themselves, speaking about what they look for in performers, and how they develop performers for their own work: Shana Carroll (The 7 Fingers), Yaron Lifschitz (Circa), Firenza Guidi (Elan Frantoio; NoFit State), Mike Finch (Circus Oz), Elizabeth Streb (STREB Extreme Action), Phia Ménard (Compagnie
Non Nova), Daniele Finzi Pasca (Compagnia Finzi Pasca), Philippe Decouflé (Compagnie DCA), Lachlan Binns and Jascha Boyce (Gravity and Other Myths).