We recently connected with Chrystal Parker and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chrystal, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I had been practicing and training object manipulation and circus on my own for years as a hobby. Not knowing anyone else who was doing similar things, I was alone with just the internet to learn. I moved to Chattanooga and found a weekly circus meetups and started attending. I gained many new skills and met a great community that valued skill sharing. I met people doing circus as their career and was inspired to do the same. After only a few months of attending the jams I unfortunately broke my foot (unrelated to circus). During that time I could not work due to my injury so decided to shift gears and figure out how to make circus my career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a multidisciplinary artist, performer, model, and producer with a passion for bringing art to the public in immersive and unforgettable ways. My journey into the entertainment industry started with a deep love for movement based expression, costuming and wearable art, which evolved into performing circus acts, creating custom characters, styling performers, and eventually producing full-scale variety shows. Over the years, I’ve developed a diverse skill set, blending performance, production, and visual artistry to create unique entertainment experiences.

My work spans several disciplines, including circus arts, stage production, costume and prop design, and immersive storytelling. As a performer, I specialize in fire dancing, circus hooping, juggling, burlesque, stilt walking, ambient character work, and variety-style performances that captivate audiences. As a producer, I have experience managing shows with a cast and crew of up to 35, overseeing everything from talent coordination to set design. I also provide creative services such as styling models and performers for photoshoots, designing custom costumes, and crafting one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces, and art installations.

For my clients, I aim to bring their creative visions to life—whether that’s curating entertainment for an event, designing an unforgettable stage performance, or helping performers refine their acts through styling and artistic direction. What sets me apart is my ability to merge multiple artistic disciplines, creating cohesive and immersive experiences that go beyond just a single act or costume piece. I don’t just create performances—I create magical worlds.

I’m most proud of my ability to continuously push creative boundaries while fostering collaboration in the entertainment and arts community. Seeing my work showcased in galleries, on stage, and in immersive productions has been incredibly rewarding, but even more so is the joy of bringing people together through art.

For those discovering my work for the first time, I want them to know that I am dedicated to making art that inspires, transports, and connects people. Whether it’s through an awe-inspiring performance, interactive installations, an intricately crafted headpiece, or the curation of an unforgettable event, my goal is always to create something that lingers in the imagination long after the moment has passed.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One of the biggest things non-creatives often don’t understand about my journey is just how much goes into something as seemingly simple as a five-minute stage performance. That short moment on stage is the result of years of training, thousands of dollars spent on workshops and classes, and countless hours of choreography, rehearsals, and refinement. Beyond the performance itself, there’s the financial and logistical side—costumes and equipment that cost hundreds of dollars, endless marketing and promotion, client correspondence, website building, social media management, content creation, contract negotiations, and business expenses like studio fees, insurance, and certifications.

Then there’s the physical and emotional toll. Broken bones, torn muscles, injuries—these are part of the reality of being a performing artist. There’s also the emotional labor of creating an act, putting your heart into something, only to have clients try to negotiate your pricing down or fail to recognize the value of your work.

And on a broader level, the way society currently views art—as disposable, replaceable content—can feel disheartening. Creatives are expected to constantly produce for free or for cheap, almost like machines, and the true worth of what we do is often overlooked. Art isn’t just content—it’s culture, storytelling, and human connection, and it deserves to be valued accordingly.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to share unique and memorable art through movement, dance, design, and styling—bringing all of these elements together as a complete experience. I love crafting performances and visuals that leave lasting impressions and evoke emotions in audiences.

Beyond creating, I find immense fulfillment in cultivating community. Whether it’s participating in others’ events, hosting my own, or being an active part of both the local and greater circus community, I thrive on the connections and collaborations that come with this industry.

As a booking/talent agent, I also get to help other artists find paid opportunities and grow in their professional careers. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing fellow performers thrive and knowing I played a part in helping them succeed.

Collaboration is another huge highlight—working with artists who share similar creative visions as well as those who bring something entirely different to the table. These collaborations push me creatively and keep my work evolving.

And, of course, no two days are ever the same. Every project, event, and performance is a new adventure, which keeps my work exciting, fresh, and full of possibility.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://crystallineentertainment.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystallinecreative/

Image Credits

Photographer Paul White- hoop photo
Photographer Bad Pineapple Media -group picture