We recently connected with Noelia Antweiler and have shared our conversation below.

Noelia, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I have been a full time artist for as long as I can remember – I’ve had my slew of day jobs, from bartending, waiting tables, being a barista, a nanny, a home organizer, a personal assistant, and so many more, but it’s always been in pursuit of maintaining an artistic lifestyle. I would not have this lifestyle if it didn’t make me happy, but I think any creative would be lying if they said they’ve never thought about what a different life would be like.

For almost everyone (save a very lucky few), being a full time artist means a life of financial stress, not having a retirement plan or pension to fall back on, finding health insurance that is not employer given, and not having a regular paycheck to depend on. What you get in return is a life of purpose, driven by creativity and art, a life full of exploration and joy and wonder. However – during the spring of 2019, when the pandemic began and the work went into shutdown, this happy life all but disappeared, with the financial stress still there. For months on end, I would try to spark creative juices – I took up painting, baking, writing songs, and joined a book club, but none of these filled the void. I had no money incoming and was watching my savings account drain and my credit card debt grow. I was living in New York City and felt isolated and terrified of my current state and the future.

In the spring of 2020, I began seriously looking at other options for employment. It looked like the live performing arts would never return as they once were, and I was tired of being in a state of emotional, spiritual, and financial deficit. I brainstormed for hours on what my skills were, what fields I was interested in, and if I’d need to go back to school. I began gathering materials and doing research – I had 2 feet out the door of the creative world and it didn’t feel great, but it did feel like what I needed to do.

And then – miraculously – an audition came. And then another. And then a gig came. And then another. And as my feet were headed out that door, I began to get pulled back in. It felt so good to work creatively, to collaborate, to perform again, to feel the audience. I was brought back into the creative life quickly and I haven’t looked back since then.

I used to look down on people who left the creative arts for a ‘real’ job. I used to view them as quitters. But this experience taught me that everyone is just doing the best they can, and that life is hard for everyone. If I hadn’t booked those gigs at a critical time, I would no longer be a creative. The experience really increased my empathy for others… and it taught me to grow my savings account as much as possible so that in times of struggle in the future, I have a nest egg to fall back on.

The creative life is so difficult, but I would argue it’s worth it.

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

I am a multi-hyphenate artist: I am an actor, musician, aerialist, aerial instructor, and also manage Denver Circus Collective. I have been in the theatre industry for as long as I can remember, and studied it in school. I then moved to New York City to pursue acting. Over the course of my acting career, I was cast in a production of A Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre of Louisville in Kentucky. There, the woman playing Christmas Past was an aerialist, and descended from the top of the theatre on the silks. She spent the entire time on stage in the air, and I was mesmerized.

As soon as I got back to NYC, I began taking classes. I found a new love and creative passion: one that was good for my body, my confidence, and my creativity. I began training in silks, but quickly added Dance Trapeze, Lyra, and Sling to my repertoire. My acting work took me to Denver in the fall of 2021, and I have been here since.

I began taking classes and ultimately teaching classes at Denver Circus Collective, and then took on the job as the studio manager. The owner, Peter Holben, and myself work closely together to create an environment that is welcoming to all students, regardless of who they are or what their background is. We are currently set to open a pole dancing studio the first week of April, which is our latest big endeavor together.

I am keenly aware of how difficult aerial arts were for me when I started. I had no upper body strength and very little body awareness. Through dedication, hard work, and the mentorship of several amazing coaches, I have made incredible gains and feel proud of where I am as an aerialist today. As an instructor, I am my students’ biggest champion. I am so proud of them when they make gains, learn a new skill, or crush a strength goal. I believe with my whole heart that circus is for everyone, and that’s part of why I took on the job at Denver Circus Collective.

We have the best facilities in the entire region: 34 foot ceilings, a variety of both ground and aerial classes, partner acro yoga, wall dancing, ballet, handstands, and now we’re about to offer pole dancing classes! Peter and I together have co-created an instructor base that rivals any major city (which I can confidently say as a 10+ year New Yorker), and we pride ourselves in creating an open, welcoming community. We work with anyone, regardless of financial struggle or background, and believe in the power of circus arts for growth: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Our mission at Denver Circus Collective is to build authentic community through movement and art, and as the people who run the studio, Peter and I try to live that mission every day.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, there is something magical about living a life as a creative (not to discount the stressors and pitfalls, of which there are plenty). I view creativity almost as a religion – it’s something within each of us, that drives each of us to create. The creations look different for each person, but everyone is creative. And so to dedicate your life to creation and artistry is rich in connection and passion and insight and love. It’s a life of resilience, of doing something because you feel you must, of dreaming something up in your imagination and bringing it to fruition. There is such freedom in this kind of life, because creativity is something that doesn’t thrive when stifled. To me, being a good creative and honoring the creative drive means being open to new experiences, sensations, foods, lifestyles, and people. It is a life full of connection and joy and pushing through. The reward for being an artist is freedom and happiness in your day to day life.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The mission at Denver Circus Collective is to build authentic community through movement and art. We believe this with all we’ve got: a person is nothing without their community, and we believe building community through circus arts is a way to increase compassion, empathy, and joy within our Colorado community!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.circuscollective.com
• Instagram: @denvercircuscollective
• Facebook: Facebook.com/circuscollective
• Other: TikTok: @denvercircuscollective

Image Credits
Avenoir Movement Photography Jeff Mondlock