Women find inspiration in the circus
Women’s Circus member Natasha Devonish-Jordan tackles the aerial cube. Picture: Scott McNaughton
from: mooneevalleyweekly.com.au
14 Feb, 2012
For more than two decades the Women’s Circus has been empowering and inspiring women through innovative and socially challenging circus programs and performances. It began in 1991 and was set up mostly for survivors of sexual abuse. These days fewer women identify as ‘‘survivors’’, yet the fundamental ideals of the circus have remained: building confidence, reaffirming control over one’s body, and above all, having fun. Reporter Robert Fedele went behind the curtain to shed light on the ever-changing culture of the Women’s Circus."JUST mainly these guns,’’ laughs Natasha Devonish-Jordan, when asked about the rewards of joining the Women’s Circus.
‘‘Check this out,’’ she declares, motioning towards her now fully flexed right bicep. ‘‘You have a feel. Two months!’’
Humour aside, Devonish-Jordan is one of hundreds of women who each year take the plunge and enrol in the new women’s program, a year-long introduction to all aspects of the circus geared specifically towards first-timers.
The Women’s Circus, as its name suggests, is a community circus run by, and for, women. There’s tumbling and trapeze, juggling and the German wheel, even a tightrope to walk if you’re game enough.
It began in 1991 as a project of the Footscray Community Arts Centre, then grew to become its own entity.
Its mission statement aspires to ‘‘provide an opportunity for women to build self-esteem and reaffirm control over their bodies in a safe and non-competitive environment’’.
Born in the US, Devonish-Jordan moved to Australia six years ago and has just become a qualified primary school teacher.
Because of her performing arts background back home, the Women’s Circus seemed the perfect outlet when a friend encouraged Devonish-Jordan to give it a go.
It’s a common story told by many women who, at least in spirit, want to run away to join the circus.
In the dusty former army drill hall in West Footscray which the Women’s Circus calls home, Devonish-Jordan loosens up with a routine of stretches so she can tackle the aerial cube, an aluminium apparatus that she’s soon dangling from gracefully. read more:http://www.mooneevalleyweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/women-find-inspiration-in-the-circus/2455131.aspx
‘‘Check this out,’’ she declares, motioning towards her now fully flexed right bicep. ‘‘You have a feel. Two months!’’
Humour aside, Devonish-Jordan is one of hundreds of women who each year take the plunge and enrol in the new women’s program, a year-long introduction to all aspects of the circus geared specifically towards first-timers.
The Women’s Circus, as its name suggests, is a community circus run by, and for, women. There’s tumbling and trapeze, juggling and the German wheel, even a tightrope to walk if you’re game enough.
It began in 1991 as a project of the Footscray Community Arts Centre, then grew to become its own entity.
Its mission statement aspires to ‘‘provide an opportunity for women to build self-esteem and reaffirm control over their bodies in a safe and non-competitive environment’’.
Born in the US, Devonish-Jordan moved to Australia six years ago and has just become a qualified primary school teacher.
Because of her performing arts background back home, the Women’s Circus seemed the perfect outlet when a friend encouraged Devonish-Jordan to give it a go.
It’s a common story told by many women who, at least in spirit, want to run away to join the circus.
In the dusty former army drill hall in West Footscray which the Women’s Circus calls home, Devonish-Jordan loosens up with a routine of stretches so she can tackle the aerial cube, an aluminium apparatus that she’s soon dangling from gracefully. read more:http://www.mooneevalleyweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/women-find-inspiration-in-the-circus/2455131.aspx
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