We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bobby Hedglin-Taylor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bobby below.

Bobby, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I started as a ballroom dancer and actor. Moved into theater, film, TV and then Circus. All of my training in theater/dance school led me to where I am today but life experience is what made me who I am. You have to fail and fail miserably to learn the hard lessons and apply the experience to your day to day life. In the late 80’s I was asked to join the cast of a new circus musical, they sent me to a coach. My circus career began. Training daily, weekly and sometimes up to the hour of performances, I became very good at trapeze very quickly. eventually performing in casinos, theaters, variety shows and nightclubs. After performing most of the 90’s I went to upgrade my training and moved to SF to train with world class coaches at the SF Circus Center. After, I moved back to NYC and then started to get more theatrical inquiries. Theater that wanted to use circus in their musicals. This lead me to my first broadway experience. I joined the acrobatic training team with ANTIGRAVITY and their work on the broadway musical THE FROGS, a year later I was cast in the musical BARNUM as the swing, circus trainer and understudy for PT Barnum. This lead to 29 more productions on Barnum both on stage and behind the scenes. Being a swing shaped my performing world with improv and being able to perform on a dime and know where I am in the show. in 2005 I took over as Director of the ESPANA-STREB Trapeze academy- developing curriculum, style, and education in the circus arts world. My work at STREB has given me the opportunity to connect with a larger group of professionals and amateurs and I have developed and created (along side Elizabeth STREB) a program called FRIDAY NIGHTS AT SLAM a monthly community showcase of pros and amateurs alike that gives back to the community with free rentals, videos and photos of their performances and a chance to get new works in front of an audience.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Bobby Hedglin-Taylor is a New York–based actor, comedian, author, singing impressionist, and aerial sequence designer with over 40 years of experience on stage, in the air, and on screen. A self-proclaimed “multi-hyphenated artist,” his circus choreography has been featured on Broadway and beyond.

Bobby began his Broadway career as part of the Antigravity aerial training team for Lincoln Center Theater’s The Frogs. He trained Tony Award winners Patina Miller and Andrea Martin for the 2013 Broadway revival of Pippin, as well as Tony Award nominee Tovah Feldshuh, and served as tightrope trainer for Tony Award nominee Rob McClure in the 2012 Broadway musical Chaplin. His aerial work was featured Off-Broadway in A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Bebe Neuwirth, Taylor Mac, Anthony Heald, and Christina Ricci. He’s also been on the aerial team for Broadway Bares 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2025.

His aerial sequence work includes guiding creative teams for the poster for Mike Birbiglia’s The Good Life at the Beacon Theatre 2025, and cover shoots for Harper’s Bazaar 2023 and Essence Magazine featuring Uzo Aduba 2016.

His aerial direction spans over 29 productions of the musical Barnum (where he also served as circus trainer and swing for 17 roles), along with shows like AIDA, Carnival, and the Louisiana premiere of Disney’s Tarzan. His credits also include national tours of Madagascar Live and Thomas the Tank Engine Live – Circus on Sodor, Cirque choreography for Holland America Cruise Lines, music videos, and large-scale live events—including a 75-foot aerial flight to the roof of Madison Square Garden for Phish’s New Year’s Eve concerts in 2012 and 2018.

As a performer, Bobby toured nationally in Cabaret and A Wonderful Life, and appeared regionally in 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, Singin’ in the Rain, Angels in America, Come In From the Rain, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. He has shared the stage with legends including Lauren Bacall, Nell Carter, Linda Eder, and Kirstie Alley—whom he coached for Dancing with the Stars before joining her on QVC, proving he can blend cartwheels, pliés, pirouettes, and product pitches with ease.

For 20 years, Bobby was the Director of the Espana-STREB Trapeze Academy and now serves as STREB’s Director of Business Development and Industry Partnerships. In 2022, he was honored with the Legacy Award from Dancers Over 40.

Bobby is also the author of #ShitMyMamaSays, a tribute to his late mother that inspired his solo show Escape to Ravioli Mountain—a heartfelt and comedic blend of memoir, storytelling, and live cooking. He is a proud, long-standing member of Actors’ Equity.

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Bobby Hedglin-Taylor (He/Him/His)
Director of Business Development and Industry Partnerships
Director Emeritus of The España-STREB Trapeze Academy
www.STREB.org
@FlyingBobby on instagram
@BobbyHedglinTaylor on TikTok and facebook

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I have been a champion of the underdog and performers who don’t come from families of resources or who have trust funds, or have parents able to cover expenses. Hard working performers who are just as talented as everyone on the market but who have had more challenges thrown at them. Developing the Friday nights program has given me the opportunity to connect with a different part of the creative world. I take great pride in being able to uplift BIPOC, LGBTQIA+. People of economic inequality and those who just want to perform but don’t have the financial means. Our mission at STREB is basically “ACTION FOR EVERYONE” meaning anyone of any background can be a part of our ether and gain personal best experience to be able to “FLY” like humans always wanted to.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2021 I had to have hip replacement surgery. Right after losing my mother, 8 relatives and 21 friends to COVID. It was the most challenging part of my life. Watching loved ones die almost weekly, sometimes multiple deaths in one week, the trauma was unbearable. But I found a way to survivie it. After being a movement specialist my entire life, and then to be told I’d never get back in the air again was gut wrenching. But, I did, I got back in the air, and have been since 2022. Performing nationally and internationally once again. This pause in my physical life birthed yet another creative outlet. I became a standup comic and singing impressionist. Making people laugh and hearing laughter is the most addictive sound ever. I’m excited for the next creative chapter of my life!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.BobbyHedglinTaylor.com
• Instagram: @FLYINGBOBBY @EscapeToRavioliMountain
• Facebook: Bobby Hedglin Taylor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-hedglin-taylor-33713016/
• Twitter: n/A
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BobbyHedglinTaylor
• Other: TIktok-@bobbyhedglintaylor

Image Credits

Josh Flanigan, Cristobal Vivar,