MASTERCLASS SERIES: Performer Flying & Automation

Do you want to learn the essential tools for stage managing circus elements? Get some insight into how to work with aerial artists, acrobatic acts and how to facilitate automation and performer flying.

Anna Robb conducts 2 x 90 minute seminars to gain insight into the role of the stage manager in the creation and maintenance of circus elements. Whether it be Cirque du Soleil, aerial acts for corporate events or just some basic knowledge you are seeking to upskill as a stage manager, this webinar is for you.

Session 1:

• Working with Automation and common automation terms you should know
• Types of Aerial Equipment and basic considerations to take with performers
• Basics of Creating aerial cues
• The rigger, artist, automation operator and show caller relationship
• Safety considerations​

Session 2:

• Steps to cue creation: Working with the artist, the creatives, the riggers and the automation programmers.
• Safety Considerations: How to manage the cue creation steps safely, how to deal with act specific safety considerations and how be ready even before a performer leaves the floor.
• Artist preparation: Building an artists trust and confidence in the technical equipment and the operating team behind it.
• Build up of the act: You have the cues, how to make it show ready.
• Artist build up for show: Some of the stages the artist may need to go through before validating and performing a new act in a show.
• Standard Operating Procedures: How to keep things safe in the long term.

About Anna:

In Anna’s 20 year career, she has had over 10 years experience in performer flying and has been involved as a stage manager on the creation of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and as production stage manager on The House of Dancing Water by Dragone Entertainment Group as well as numerous one off events requiring performer flying. Anna has been involved in creating a variety of automated acts, creating complex automated sequences and running those sequences safely on long term running shows