Abbie Rooney

Abbie is an internationally accomplished performing artist, choreographer and movement specialist with over a decade of experience: creating, performing and mentoring in world-class productions throughout North America, Europe and Asia. She combines exceptional technical ability and collaborative creativity, both as a performer and coach: developing circus, dance and theatrical entertainment to deliver elite-level aerial and acrobatics.

Abbie spent the past two years with Dragone's House of Dancing Water in Macau, China; including nine months as a creation artist to remount the world's most technically ambitious resident production under the artistic direction of Giuliano Peparini. Performing 10–12 shows per week, 25 meters above the stage, Abbie executed every aerial choreography, track and dynamic partner skill of a female flyer. While maintaining focus and athletic precision in a high-risk-high-pressure environment, Abbie performed large-scale ensemble acts, ie. the famous: Human Chandelier. Beyond performances, she worked with an international cast: training, rehearsing and adapting to evolving creative processes and maintaining the physical resilience and consistency required of top-tier circus arts. Abbie has completed various other long-form contracts like Disneyland Paris (aerial acrobat), The Lion King and other touring cirque-style productions. Her stage career has taken nearly every shape as a solo, duo and ensemble artist: on cruise ships, in  TV/film, stunt-work, live events, festivals, specialty entertainment, modeling, acting, singing etc. Other notable collaborators include On the Fly Productions, Fox Entertainment, Quixotic Fusion, Meow Wolf, C.C. Calouche, Iluminar Aerial and more.

Formerly the primary aerial choreographer and trainer for Carnival Cruise Line (CCL): Abbie was pivotal to the creation, installation and long-term success of nearly every aerial production across the fleet. Serving as the bridge between creative and production teams, she established cast change processes, contributed to the design of 3D wench automation (TAIT programming & cuing) and led technical integration of aerial choreography into the cruise line’s unique theatrical environments.

As a rehearsal director and coach, Abbie has trained many professional singers, dancers, aerialists and acrobats to perform safely and confidently at a world-class level. Her experience extends beyond simply teaching choreography- to developing technical understanding, movement quality, artistic intention and performer confidence. Abbie is equally comfortable originating new work, refining existing productions and growing movers and groovers of all forms. 

Abbie brings a rare combination of technical excellence, creative collaboration and practical leadership to every project. She is versatile; having aerial work that encompasses nearly every aerial apparatus: straps, cordé lissé, tissué, trapeze, spiral, pole, lyra, harness and more. Abbie is also a trained dancer, acrobat (hand to hand, banquine, diving etc.) with additional skills on the ground like physical acting, fire arts and circus-prop manipulation.