Aerial acrobatic classes take off in Beirut

Record ID: 394036

  • Title: Aerial acrobatic classes take off in Beirut
  • Date: 7th March 2017
  • Summary: STUDENTS TRAINING STUDENT TAKING PART IN AERIALIST CLASS, RITA JERMANOS, ON ROPES
  • Embargoed: 21st March 2017 11:09
  • Keywords: Aeralist Seanna training program Lebanon teaching
  • Location: BEIRUT, LEBANON
  • City: BEIRUT, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Theatre
  • Reuters ID: LVA00366YNIOL
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Aerial silk dancer Seanna Sharpe is working on an "Urban Circus" programme in Lebanon, with amateurs and professionals signing up to learn new acrobatic moves in the air.
    Sharpe is known for scaling the Williamsburg Bridge in New York on silk ropes in 2011.
    She believes Lebanon has a lot of potential when it comes to aerialism.
    "I think that this programme is perfect for Lebanon, because we have a demographic of young adults who are brilliant," she said.
    Students learn the techniques of scaling silk ropes and staying balanced once in the air, as well as making a smooth descent. They also learn to perform on an an aerial hoop, known as the Lyra circle.
    The length of the programme is up to the students; it can take from nine months up to two years.
    Those with a dancing background may take less time.
    Since aerialism is fairly new to Lebanon, inquisitive students are seeing it as a potential route to performing circus acts.
    "I started, because I love everything related to circus, everything new, this opportunity came to Lebanon, this is something beautiful, besides its something serious," said Rita Jermanos, one of the students who has taken up aerialist classes.
    The programme also appeals to professional performers such as Judy Salloum, a dance teacher.
    "I love to learn all kinds of dances, which is basically what I am doing gradually. I blow fire, I love circus and Seanna came from New York and giving this opportunity for this country, so I am doing it of course," she said.
    The formal intensive programme will be launched on September 7. For now, it's about training teachers, so the first generation of students, becomes the first generation of staff.
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