Gentlewoman No. 6

Who are you?

Chloe Zabicki

Aerialist

Chicago, IL

 

I’m a circus gal. I perform, train, and teach circus. That’s pretty much all I do these days. www.chloezabicki.com

When did you start as a circus performer, also an acrobat teacher?

I began doing the circus almost 6 years ago. It took me a while to develop the strength and skill set and confidence to feel ready to perform in front of people. There will always be new and challenging things to work on, which is a good thing. It’s humbling to know that I can be better. I’ve been teaching for close to 4 years.

Did you go to circus school? If yes, which school did you go and what made you start it? 

I went to Aloft Loft circus school after 6 months of trying out trapeze classes. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, which is probably for the best. I cried every day for the first two weeks because I was so overwhelmed. I remember sitting in the parking lot of Target one day thinking to myself that I had made a mistake by going to circus school, that this was too hard. But I kept going, and one day I felt something I had never felt my whole life: I felt happy. I knew that circus was the thing I was supposed to be doing with my life.

How do you get inspiration for your performances? What inspires you the most?

Music. I’ll hear a song and see the story that goes with it: the characters, costumes, all of it.  

What makes you smile?

Being creative. Spending time with my friends.

What makes you cry? 

Thinking too much about the past.

What do you do on your day off?

What’s a day off?

What are you working on right now? And do you have any new & exciting projects coming up this Fall ~ 2019?

I’m working on a lot of duo lyra projects with my pal Kristi which I’m very excited about. We’re set to perform one of them in October. I have some group acts I’m choreographing for some of my classes in addition to a new single point act that I’ve just finished up.

What's most important for you being a professional in your industry?

Try to do a little bit of work every day, even if I’m tired or not feeling motivated. I’ve tried to think more about quality over quantity as well. It’s better to put in an hour or two of really focused training than spend 5 hours at the studio and not get anything done. 

Where could we get to see your shows?

Aloft Loft and Stiletto Dance Studio

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjRuQhG0oZA. 

Your favorite items from Chidoriya

The cotton and silk facial cloth and Yuzu seed cleansing balm.

Is there any quote you like and want to share?

This one by Emily Dickinson has been with me for some time now:

Pain has an element of blank;

It cannot recollect

When it began, or if there was

A time when it was not.

All photos / Copyright by Chloe Zabicki