MY STRANGE OBSESSION ACROBATICS For our Careers issue, VIBE spoke to Martha Harrison, whose childhood obsession with gymnastics became an amazing career.
WHAT IS MY OBSESSION? My job is performing acrobatics and trapeze across Europe for different companies. It all started when I was 6 and I went to my first gymnastics class and absolutely loved it! I trained really hard and managed to compete in the British National Championships. When I was 20 I did a circus degree at The National Centre for Circus Arts where I also now teach. I am an acrobat, performing hand to hand acrobatics (where you stand on each other’s shoulders) and an aerialist, performing on a trapeze. I am also a Head of Year on a circus degree in London, which is brilliant as I get to work with lots of inspiring students who are just starting their own training to become part of the circus world. WHY AM I OBSESSED WITH IT? There are lots of things I love about the circus. I love the training, the friends you make along the way, the travelling, but mostly I love creating new tricks! THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW • There are lots of types of acrobatics and circus skills you can try, including trapeze, hula hooping, juggling and tightwire. • Circus is very creative. It’s an international melting pot of dance, art, costume, make up, music, storytelling, comedy and acting as well as acrobatic strength. • Acrobats can perform all over the place, from arena concerts to fashion shows, from street festivals to the Royal Opera House.
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WHERE SHOULD YOU START? If you were interested in becoming a circus performer, it is important to really love what you do. There are lots of different ways to start. There are circus classes all around the country which you can try. You could do gymnastics or dance. You could do free running or juggling, but you have to be passionate about practicing. You have to be having fun or it becomes a chore!
PHOTO: MARTHA (CENTRE) PERFORMING WITH MIMBRE ACROBATS PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC RICHMOND WWW.MIMBRE.CO.UK
VIBE WINTER 2019-20
