SHAPESHIFTER 2015 Welcomes its new and returning cast, crew, and sponsors!
JORDANN BAKER: After studying Architecture at Tufts University, Jordann began her career as an aerialist in 2006 in NYC, where she later co-founded The Sky Box aerial theater at the House of Yes in Brooklyn. Jordann is passionate about creating dynamic works and genre-bending shows, including SHAPESHIFTER, which she wrote, directed and produced in 2014 for its inaugural year. She in inspired by dramatic architecture, powerful music, and giant trees, and feels most happy when she is thirty feet up in the air! When not training or teaching aerial classes, Jordann enjoys creating costumes and hosts aerial choreography retreats and produces other works with her company Banyan Aerial.
SITA ACEVEDO: A native of Los Angeles, Sita Acevedo has graced the stage for two decades. Graduating with a degree in Dance Performance she went on to tour with Diavolo Dance Theater for 5 years, and then joined the creation team for the Cirque du Soleil production "KA"-2003-2009. Now she works as a freelance aerialist and aerial instructor. In her spare time Sita loves to bake, make lip balm, and walk dogs. She is so stoked to be back with Shapeshifter Circus!
MARENA BRONSON: Marena's exploration of movement began at a young age with dance, music, theater, and competitive sports, which led her to Brigham Young University on an athletic scholarship. She stepped away from performing to pursue a career in television journalism, but after discovering a dance studio while on assignment in Philadelphia, her passion for dance was reignited. Marena was introduced to the world of Circus Arts a few years ago and was immediately hooked. For her, it's a world where she can continue to challenge herself - and a world where the athlete and artist in her can coexist. She is currently the co-captain of the Circus Now San Diego Chapter, teaches at San Diego Circus Center, and performs professionally around Southern California.
RACHEL TATEM: Rachel joined the circus world in 2011. As a former competitive gymnast, she loves how circus arts takes the strength, acrobatics, and grace from her gymnastics days and partners it with performance and artistic expression. Currently, she specializes in aerial straps with some background in aerial rope, hand balancing, and partner balancing. She has been a part of the Shapeshifter team since the beginning and is excited to join forces again with this creative and talented cast.
REBECCA FREUND: With a clown for an uncle and an aunt who rode elephants in the circus, Rebecca Freund has always had a fascination with the circus arts. With years of gymnastics under her belt, she decided to put them to good use by training with amazing and diverse aerialists. Specializing in silks, trio cube, hammock, and chandelyra, she has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with amazing artists like Sinbad, Enrique Iglesias, and Nelly Furtado; performing at various events, including Tim Robbins’ WTF Festival, LA County Fair, First Fridays at Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort, and the grand opening for the conjunction of Target and Nordstroms.
KEVIN SCOTT CANNON: A physical movement actor, comedian, and circus artist, Kevin has been studying and performing unique works for over 15 years. Feeding his creative spirit has been extensive study and connection to a myriad of artistic forms. He began his development with historic and theatrical studies with the Renaissance Academy of Dramatic Arts, gradually growing as a classically-trained actor until capable of performing full-speed stage combat while spouting Shakespearean monologues. From there, at USC's prestigious School of Cinematic Arts he studied early era silent films, comedy, montage, and narrative via subtle physical expression and editing of ideas. After graduation, he lived in Italy in order to delve into other methods of physical theatre, exploring the extra-physical historic Commedia dell'Arte and its modern existence in European Circus. Kevin is also interested in Mask creation and performance, as well as merging the tradition of physical theatrics with modern cinematic languages.
THE SHAKERS: (Nick Woods- drums, John "Ro" Rogan- bass, Jodie Schell- vocals, Chris Lee- guitar) The Shakers saw their inception in 2009, and can be described as the missing link between soul and grit-rock - loud, unapologetic, and masters of the stage domain. The band has opened for such acts as Everclear, Our Lady Peace, The Motels, and Semi Precious Weapons, while also headlining sold-out shows at seminal Los Angeles venues including The Roxy Theatre, The Troubadour, The Satellite, and The Viper Room. The band's 2013 album Rescue Team was the inspirational source which compelled Jordann to write SHAPESHIFTER in 2014.
TONGUE & CHIC PRODUCTIONS: (Brian Gillespie, Brent Kyle-Riviere, Tyler Benton) Tongue&Chic creates unique and thrilling content for the stage, film, and television. Formed in 2011, their first production was the wildly successful Hipsteret- a 360 degree multi-sensory concert event that brought together some of LA's hottest musical talent. Recently, they completed the festival-bound film Imprints, their first SAG short. With Shapeshifter, they continue in their pursuit to collaborate with incredible artists to create shows unlike anything you've ever seen.
GRAHAM SKIPPER: A graduate of Fordham University's Theater program and a founding member of NYC's FUCT Comedy Troupe, Graham is a wild man on stage and screen. When he's not playing Herbert West in Re-Animator the Musical or acting in horror movies, Graham brings his time and expertise to our production, acting as the show's MC and front of house manager.
ARTISTIC EVOLUCION: Artistic Evolucion is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to cutting edge performance that stretches the boundaries of possibility. AE is celebrating over a decade of ARTnership that extends its reach in service, invents new methods, and raises the arts to new heights! AE is excited to be partnering with Shapeshifter Circus for a second year of creating original performance art in Los Angeles!
SHAPESHIFTER 2014: The original cast and crew. Closing night, May 31st. These guys are the best!
Top Row: Brent Kyle, Nick Woods, Chris Lee, Jodie Schell, Jordann Baker, Terril Teran, Graham Skipper, Brian Gillespie, Tyler Benton, Ciara Budds.
Bottom Row: Sita Acevedo, Hope Hall, Rachel Tatem, Jeffrey Little, John Rogan
Top Row: Brent Kyle, Nick Woods, Chris Lee, Jodie Schell, Jordann Baker, Terril Teran, Graham Skipper, Brian Gillespie, Tyler Benton, Ciara Budds.
Bottom Row: Sita Acevedo, Hope Hall, Rachel Tatem, Jeffrey Little, John Rogan