January 21, 2012
first class at Muhlenberg College
I'm thrilled to announce the commencement of the aeiral program at Muhlenberg College, my alma mater, in Allentown, PA! Thanks to the Theater and Dance department, three beautiful silks and crash mats were purchased for the class.
Sixteen eager students were fabulous first time flyers. I'm excited to guide each of them to spectacular new heights! Check back for photos in the gallery soon.
Due to my teaching in PA on Saturdays, the talented Mandy Hackman will be covering the weekly 3 - 4pm class at Embody. Please email mandy.hackman_gmail.com to register. When Mandy is out of town teaching in India, other guest artists from the community will teach class. Check the google calendar on the Calendar page for details.
November 1, 2011
Thursday AM class added
A new aerial class time has been added to the schedule! Thursdays from 11am - 12pm we will be flying at Embody Studio. Drop a line through the contact page to sign up for class - space is limited!
The new rope has started to be broken in, but needs more love. Come play and see how your silks skills fair on something a little different.
Keep aerial classes in mind as a great holiday gift as winter rolls in...
October 3, 2011
aerial rope is on its way!
Upsidown's latest piece of equipment should be here tomorrow! Our new corde lisse , "smooth rope" as the French say, will be available for use in class in addition to two silks.
Aerial rope is a vertical circus apparatus. Most of the skills learned on silks are transferable to the rope. Come try a class and help me break it in!
September 26, 2011
back in Brooklyn
It's good to be home! Things are falling back into place:
* Grounded Aerial has showings for producers to fund Insectinside .
*Riding my bike on the first glorious days of Fall.
*Aerial classes stride on.
*Teaching residencies are being scheduled.
I'm so happy to be back and surrounded by such wonderful friends. Already conversations about performing and making art have been sparked. I'm perfervid for what the adventures the Fall will hold!
Here's a snippit of a performance from the summer. More photos and videos to come!
August 27, 2011
dance camp in the hurricane
Kinesis Project company members have been emailing each other all day preparing for our departure tomorrow to Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli, NY. We are throwing our hurricane emergency kits in the minivan and venturing north for a week of class and rehearsal. I can think of no better way - nor better people - to spend the wild weather with!
Our showing of Pressing Empty is on Thursday September 1st at 7pm. If you can, hop the train and join us in the woods for this exciting reconstruction. Info and directions here .
August 23, 2011
the new madelinehoak.com is here!
I'm pleased to announce the launch of my new website! A few things are still under construction (videos to be posted, interactive calanders to arrive, bios to be edited), but I invite you to explore and send your feedback through the contact page. The makeover is part of a larger transition that my work will have through the fall. This site will continue to develop, and a company site - upsidownproductions.com - is in development as well. Upsidown productions will be a space for shows, collaborations, and classes, while madelinehoak.com will stay a personal website. Special thanks to Rob Chamberlain for designing the sites!
August 11, 2011
back from California
After two months of sleeping in a tent and a tipi I thought it would be hard to be back in Brooklyn, but it is wonderful to be home! The first night I spent in a bed in a room with walls was very strange, and I questioned why we would ever live in such square, thick structures. And then it downpoured, and I was thankful to observe the weather from my window and not have to tromp through the mud to use the bathroom.
A few highlights from Camp Winnarainbow:
* I spent two months teaching trapeze and rope to kids of all ages (7 - 15). Every day I got experience the wonder and excitement of children flying for the first time.
* I learned how to walk on stilts 3' high.
* We were surrounded by the redwoods, and I got to drive through one of the giants in Leggit, CA.
* The weather was perfect, save for two rainy days.
* On days off we attended music festivals nearby, visited the natural mineral baths, or played in swimming holes.
It was hard work being with the kids 24 hours a day and teaching, but the rewards drastically exceeded the output. I look forward to returning, but for now, I'm happy to be home on the east coast, see friends and family, to walk in the summer rain, and be dancing on the ground again
