Aloft Circus Arts

Aloft Circus Arts Collective of Aerial and Circus Artists: A premier teaching and training center for aerial and circus
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Aloft is a collective of earth-bound aerial and circus artists who have chosen to express themselves vertically as well as horizontally, and without regard to gravity. Aloft reveals more then just the splendor and danger inherent in our art; we construct accessible, purposeful stories drawing on the juxtaposition of artistic, emotional and physical extremes, and perform them between the ground and

the sky. Founded by Shayna Swanson in 2005, Aloft seeks to share its unique voice that embodies the innovation of the New Circus Movement, the daring of the traditional circus, and the joy and comedy of Vaudeville. The result are productions that are powerful, dangerous, intense, hilarious and passionate; where spectacle lies not in special effects or elaborate sets, but in the intensity, difficulty, beauty and captivating nature of the performances. We look to have a direct emotional dialogue with our audience, and due to its accessible nature, everyone, regardless of education, age, culture or background can participate in it.

What’s all this then? Another 5 star review? Well, I’ll be. Thank you so much to The Stage - Theatre news for their kind...
08/19/2026

What’s all this then? Another 5 star review? Well, I’ll be. Thank you so much to The Stage - Theatre news for their kind words about our show!

Yesterday was the first day off in 10 days, so come watch our well-rested artists have their way with 7 wonky ladders!

Each day at 1 at the Underbelly Circus Hub. Ticket link in bio.

Photo by J. OATEN PHOTOGRAPHER FILMMAKER

I did break my cardinal rule of touring with this show, which is to Never Take A Show on the Road Until You Are 100% Cer...
08/16/2026

I did break my cardinal rule of touring with this show, which is to Never Take A Show on the Road Until You Are 100% Certain That’s Its Good.

This show came straight out of the frying pan of a grueling rehearsal schedule and into the fire of Edinburgh Festival Fringe with no reviews and just 5 hotter-than-hell preview shows under our belt. I had a feeling there was something there but it was hard to see under all my anxiety of financial concerns, the health of the artists, the logistics of travel, missing my family and other nefarious intrusive thoughts.

But after a clean dress rehearsal in our gorgeous tent The Beauty at the Circus Hub, I started to breathe a bit easier. And when we nailed our first show and the audience came outside to linger and chat and take photos with us, I realized that I had a goodie on my hands.

As much as you’re not supposed to care about reviews, how could you not. Mostly I’m happy when they say they got it. When the ideas and concepts came through. I’d rather have a 2 star review where the reviewer understood the core principles and motivations of the show, but just didn’t really like it, than a 5 star review where they said “big flips cool”.

Just kidding. I’d take the 5 stars lol. I’m a human trying not to lose her shirt at the fringe.

Anyway. After a week of shows, based on audience reactions, press reviews and the way my heart feels, I can confidently say it’s good.

Thank you to the amazing artists in this show who dedicated themselves so fully to this crazy concept. More about you all in a different post. Thank you to our delightful, unbelievable lighting designer, and to J. OATEN PHOTOGRAPHER FILMMAKER for capturing us in those perfect lights.

Only 800 more chances to see us at the fringe! See you at 1 everyday in the Meadows!

I’m just smitten over these photos by J. OATEN PHOTOGRAPHER FILMMAKER and affirming words from Voice and how they illust...
08/15/2026

I’m just smitten over these photos by J. OATEN PHOTOGRAPHER FILMMAKER and affirming words from Voice and how they illustrate each other. I work hard to make circus that doesn’t look like everything else, and it makes me so happy when it all comes together just right.

I’ll be sharing a lot more of these gorgeous photos so get ready! Or come see it with your own gorgeous eyes everyday at 1 at the Circus Hub with Underbelly

Ticket link in bio.

Yaaahoooooo! Our first review is in and it’s a bonkers good one! They loved it and we loved doing it!Come see for yourse...
08/12/2026

Yaaahoooooo! Our first review is in and it’s a bonkers good one! They loved it and we loved doing it!

Come see for yourself every day at 1 at the Underbelly Circus Hub. Tickets in bio.

Thanks Voice

We were in some newspapers!!! So cool, but I didn’t get a print copy…ooops. Also these shoes are available in giant size...
08/11/2026

We were in some newspapers!!! So cool, but I didn’t get a print copy…ooops.

Also these shoes are available in giant sizes at the dollar store, so they obviously know their August clientele.

Come see the Pieces everyday at the Circus Hub at 1. Tickets in the bio!

Amazing morning for a photo shoot at the top of Calton Hill. The sky looked amazing and so did the acrobats. Only 20 mor...
08/09/2026

Amazing morning for a photo shoot at the top of Calton Hill. The sky looked amazing and so did the acrobats.

Only 20 more shows here at the Edinburgh Fringe! 🤪 come see The Pieces everyday at 1 at the Underbelly Circus Hub. Ticket link in the ole bio.

The Pieces opens tomorrow!!!! Enjoy these photos from our tech rehearsal by the amazing  our brilliant lighting designer...
08/07/2026

The Pieces opens tomorrow!!!! Enjoy these photos from our tech rehearsal by the amazing our brilliant lighting designer.

We used to be these tiny single-celled organisms crawling around and now look a us! An enormous society with humans and bots and AI! But are we more alone than ever? What can we build when we trust in the core of who we are?

Don’t worry, we explain it all through ladders and acrobatics.

Get your tickets from the link in our bio!
1pm at the Circus Hub everyday!

Omg our preview shows at Q Space start TOMORROW!!! All the pieces are coming together just in time with music MENÜSCH co...
07/30/2026

Omg our preview shows at Q Space start TOMORROW!!!

All the pieces are coming together just in time with music MENÜSCH costumes Stefilicious LUX | Dance • Performance and tricks, just in time for this weekend and our Underbelly premiere next week!

So grateful to Schloss Bröllin for the 2 weeks of focused residency time and the chance to do this work in progress showing. And thanks for Anet.a for this amazing photos!

Address

3324 W Wrightwood Avenue
Chicago, IL
60647

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