STAGING HER

Description

Fifteen years ago, when Staging Her director, Emily, first traveled to the Middle East, she couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast in how women were treated-a subtle but undeniable second-class status. As her circus career unfolded amidst travels both for business and pleasure, she witnessed countless instances where women, even within the supposedly egalitarian social circus scene, were brushed aside. They typically received less coaching, were pushed to peripheral roles in performances, and not taken seriously. Connecting with these women, listening to their aspirations and their frustrations, Emily began to ponder her role in changing the narrative. Could she make a difference? Could she empower these brilliant, talented souls to grasp the opportunities they secretly yearned for but hardly dared to pursue? And so, through her experiences, the concept of Staging Her took shape.

In our initial project, we aim to bring 8 talented women from developing countries to the U.S. for a transformative two-month program in late 2025. The first month will focus on training and rehearsals, while the second month will be dedicated to a performance tour across Colorado. We are partnering with established organizations such as The Palestinian Circus School, Cirquenciel in Lebanon, Sencirk in Senegal, and Arba Minch Circus in Ethiopia, among others. We anticipate that the total cost for each candidate will be $10,000, covering all expenses, and that the benefits will go far beyond the project, bringing vitality to the community and family of each candidate.