Over the Feb 18/19 weekend, the circus world descended upon Las Vegas for VIVAFest. VIVAFest hosts some of the world’s top professional and aspiring circus performers on the Las Vegas strip, for a weekend of competition and entertainment.
Two of MOTH’s students made the trip and cashed in big. Fifteen year old Cassidy Vallin took 1st prize on the Static Trapeze, while Kristina Shelton took 3rd on the Static Lyra. The pair won 1st prize together on the Duo Trapeze.
Cassidy began training in the circus arts at the age of 8, while Kristina started at the age of 7. The pair have been training together for over 5 years, and are good friends outside of circus. Currently, both girls train at MOTH in Denver under the guidance of Deena Marcum Selko, the Owner and Artistic Director of MOTH Contemporary Circus Center.
The girls are part of MOTH’s Youth Professional Training Program (ages 12-18), which is the only full-time professional circus training program in Colorado. Student’s learn what it takes to become professional circus artists through weekly intensive classes. Disciplines include aerial apparatus, trampoline, Chinese Pole, hand to hand, dance for circus, acrobatics, clowning, character acting, tight wire, hand balancing, and invented apparatus.
Youth programs are suitable for beginner and aspiring professionals. In addition, MOTH Contemporary Circus Center hosts a weekly schedule of recreational classes suitable for all levels from beginners to professionals.