StageLync Podcast Ep. 72: Sora Kasuga on Circus, Facial Difference, and Real Inclusion
In this episode of the StageLync Podcast, I sit down with Sora Kasuga (they/she) — a writer, speaker, model, face-equity activist, producer, and career circus performer—whose work challenges norms and celebrates difference. As a Japanese-American, neurodivergent, queer artist with a facial difference, Sora brings a fiercely thoughtful lens to inclusion in the live-arts world, from the rehearsal room to the rigging grid.
We explore Sora’s journey from dance kid to aerialist, the resilience it took to keep performing in the face of real-world bias (including being asked to cover their face), and why representation must extend beyond casting to decision-making rooms. Together, we unpack the history that links “beauty” to “good,” the modern dangers of algorithmic physiognomy, and the practical work of unlearning, building cultural competence, and creating community.
As a career circus artist, Sora has navigated the complexities of race, gender, disability, and inclusion in a global industry that hasn’t always embraced difference. Despite facing discrimination—including being asked to cover their face or removed from shows—Sora continues to perform and speak on stages around the world, reminding us that difference is not just valuable—it’s essential.
Their core belief in the wholeness of every human being shapes everything they do. Through storytelling, performance, and advocacy, Sora invites audiences to question the status quo, embrace nuance, and find community in unexpected places. They are passionate about shifting societal narratives and celebrating the deep wisdom that emerges when we live beyond binaries.
Sora is the proud recipient of the 2024 David Roche Award for Excellence in Advocacy. When not speaking truth on stage or defying gravity in circus shows, they can be found hunting down the best snacks and reminiscing about that one time they ate dumplings in a circus costume on the streets of Shanghai with 50 international performers.
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Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Host: Anna Robb
Editor: Rose Anne Fermocil
Music: Jeremy Willi
Design: Em Holt
Production Coordinator: Roselle Bernardo
Producers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis
Also check out: StageLync Podcast Ep. 71: Jorge Crecis on Training the Nervous System for Peak Performance— a choreographer and researcher exploring how daily practices can train presence, sharpen focus, and transform performance from the inside out.
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
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