JORDANN BAKER: (Director, Aerialist) 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. JordannBaker.com
STEPHEN HUES: (Stilt Performer) Stephen Hues a Los Angeles based director, choreographer, performer and costume designer with a diverse background in the arts. Throughout his career he has been lucky to work with renowned directors and choreographers as well as create his own original shows and characters. His hobbies include organic gardening, food preservation and urban sustainability research and practices. To find out more please check out www.stephenhues.com or on social media under Stephen Hues.
TOMMY GALAN: (Clown) Tommy Galan is a professional comedian, improviser and performer with decades of stage experience. He performs every Friday night in San Diego on the Finest City Improv house team Camelflage, as well as 10City! (two-person improv) and Look At What We Found (Improvised Theater Clowning). He can be booked for performances, workshops and speaking engagements on Tommy-Galan.com.
LENA ALANI: (Aerialist) Lena Alani is a contemporary interdisciplinary circus performer, aerialist and coach, based in Los Angeles, California. Born and raised in Russia, country of the most talented dancers and performers, she could not help herself but to develop a deep love and passion for dance and physical theater, which has influenced her style in the air. Lena works regularly with Paper Doll Militia performance company and teaches classes at Up Flying Yoga and in her home studio. LenaAlani.com
THE BAND: Patrons of the original Shapeshifter 2014/2015 will recall the music of the show as written and performed by the Los Angeles rock group The Shakers. CHRIS LEE (Guitars/Synths/Vocals), JOHN "RO" ROGAN (Bass) and NICK WOODS (Drums) of The Shakers have joined forces in an entirely new project to help bring "Shapeshifter: The Carnival Underneath" to a larger and darker place musically. Chris and Jordann have collaborated to write concept album and live circus show all in one. Joining the band is TRISTAN CANNIZZARO on guitar, who has also brought an incredible wealth of recording/engineering skills. To cover the large amount of Synths/Pianos in the songs, there was no question in anyone's mind that Nick's very own brother, CHRIS WOODS, would be the perfect candidate for the job. Vocally, the music called for a voice of darkness and a voice of light. Bringing the light to life with her effortless charisma and heavenly vocals, is CIARA BUDDS-WOODS. Summoning the darkness with a sultry power that makes you long for a better vinyl record collection is ALICIA GOMEZ. The group looks forward to bringing the sonic textures of the show to all of your unsuspecting ears as you join the Carnival Underneath.
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: (Producer) Graham was thrust into the circus world when his comedy troupe FUCT collaborated with Jordann's circus troupe and she taught him trapeze. From that day forth, he was never the same! When he's not running away with the circus, he can be found playing Herbert West in Re-Animator the Musical, acting in horror films such as Almost Human, Beyond The Gates, The Mind's Eye, and Carnage Park, or writing & directing the feature film Sequence Break, available on Shudder! GrahamSkipper.com
ARTISTIC EVOLUCION: (Co-Producer) 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 third 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