We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Mazzarella. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.

Michelle, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I’m a very risk-averse person… except for that one time when I changed careers practically overnight. In 2019 I loved where I was in life. I had graduated from UCLA and was teaching full-time in a new city. I was in a great relationship, and I found a new hobby of aerial arts. My boyfriend at the time was also a “circus person,” with a lot more experience (and sense of adventure) than I had. He suggested pursuing circus full-time by attending the ProTrack Program at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA). I waffled about, unsure if we could afford it, or even be accepted, since auditions occurred two months prior. Eventually he issued a bit of an ultimatum, saying he planned to audition and I could join him or not. Much to my (and everyone else’s) surprise, I hopped into the audition video beside him. I mean… I wasn’t going to get in anyway. I couldn’t even do a pull-up.
When we got the Program Director’s email congratulating both of us on our acceptances, my first thought was “oh god, I accidentally got into circus school, and now I have to go.” So we packed up and moved to Vermont to train circus 40+ hours a week for three years. Five months into it, he dumped me, and then a pandemic happened.
This all sounds like a disaster, but I wouldn’t be me if it weren’t for every bit of it. Not only did I discover a new passion and medium to create in, I became so much more invested in myself not just as an artist but as an athlete as well. The mentors and relationships I’ve gained through my experience are beyond supportive of my goals. I graduated from the program one year ago, and have been touring North America as an aerialist and magician’s assistant since then. When I’m not touring, I’m retapping into my dance and teaching background, coaching the next generation of artists through workshops on tour, and at NECCA, which has continued to be my home base. Even though I found circus at the ripe age of 23, I feel younger than ever, because I’m doing something I love. I still miss my “old life” often, but I am grateful for every twist and turn so far.

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

I’m a multi-disciplinary aerialist, dancer, Cyr wheel artist, coach, performer, and choreographer. Phew! I started dancing at the age of two, boogied my way through high school, then attended UCLA to double major in Psychology and Dance and minor in Education. While in school, I performed professionally in LA and created works with my cohorts and for local companies.
After graduating in 2017, I moved to Traverse City, MI, to work at Interlochen Center for the Arts. I was a dorm parent and Choreographer for the Theater department, creating musicals as part of a production team. While in MI, I wanted to find a hobby and some friends, and I promptly tripped and fell into aerial arts. From there, I decided to pursue circus more seriously by attending the full-time ProTrack training program at the New England Center for Circus Arts, and soon after graduating in 2022, I became a full-time performer and creator. I’ve been spending the majority of this last year touring with a large-scale magic show as an aerialist and magician’s assistant. And no, I can’t tell you how they saw me in half!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I came from dance, where the only way to be successful is to start when you’re practically still in the womb. Circus has taught me that as long as I can still do the things, I can have a career. I’m 28 now, and my dance career would’ve been over by now, but my circus career is just getting started. I feel like I’m getting better with age, and while I wish I’d started as a kid like most of my cohorts, I’m just glad I started at all.

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

Oh my goodness, get your butt in a theater!!! There’s nothing that emulates the feeling of a squeaky plush seat, seeing the sweat on a performer’s face, hearing their breath, feeling the music in your chest, and the ephemeral quality of live performance. No one experiences a performance the same way twice, and it’s the most pure form of human connection and sharing I’ve come across.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MichelleMazzarella.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/michellejmazz
• Facebook: www.fb.com/michellemazz
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/michellejmazz

Image Credits
Elsie Smith Tom Topinka Mercy Solbeck Charlie Chang Chelsea St. Jacques Jeff Lewis Susan Mazzarella