Emerging Stars to Keep Your Eyes on: Spotlight on Aerialist Kalista Russell
After another successful year, the VIVA Fest has helped send more young circus artists on to their next stagesā¦ including CircusTalk Spotlight winner Kalista Russell.Ā Letās get to know this French-American aerialist and her creative drivesāas well as highlight the emerging artist standouts!
The fifth edition of the VIVA Fest unfolded from March 15 through 19, 2023, and saw more great young artists take the stage in Las Vegas than ever before. Created to help aspiring performers get new eyes from within the industry on their work, the VIVA Fest aims to provide its competitors with a venue and platform on which to reach for the stars and garner recognition. On the VIVA stage, young international artists, ranging from circus school students to new alumni emerging from the studio, can push themselves and showcase their creations on the eye level of talent scouts and producers from around the globe. And all they have to do is get up thereāand bring their very best!
Needless to say, this was the case for multitalented aerialist and NECCA grad Kalista Russell, who has attended the VIVA Fest nearly since the eventās inception. Following the circus path since childhood, the ever-driven Kalista has picked up skills in numerous aerial disciplines over the years, with corde lisse, straps, and Lyra all under her belt. But it was her creative hoop act, “The Curse,” that earned her first place in the Emerging Aerial Hoop category at VIVA 2023, as well as our CircusTalk Spotlight award, given to an emerging artist whose work demonstrates courageous expression and whose performance is lauded for its social relevance, artistic and technical acumen, and audience engagement.Ā
As an artist, Kalista is one of those who soaks up different creative influences like a sponge. She never turns down the opportunity to do the things she lovesā¦ or to reveal her passions to the world.
We caught up with Kalista recently to learn more about her art, her VIVA act, and her visions of where the circus path will take her.
Carolyn Klein (CK): Letās start by delving into your circus background. How did you get your start with performing on aerial hoop?
Kallista Russell (KR): I started performing on aerial hoop when I was 10 years old! I was attending a circus summer camp, which quickly turned into me taking weekly classes before I joined the Les Aerielles youth troupe at Trapeze Arts in Oakland, California. There, I practiced all forms of aerial from trapeze to fabric to rope, but it became pretty apparent over the years that hoop was my favorite! I continued training all throughout my middle school and high school years until I was accepted into the NECCA ProTrack program as an aerial hoop major.
CK: Weād love to hear about your VIVA Fest experience. What brought you to the VIVA Fest, and what was it like being in Las Vegas?
KR: I actually started attending VIVA Fest back in 2018 and 2019 when we were still performing in the tent! Competition has always been something that Iāve taken as a chance to push myself to grow and improve, so VIVA Fest felt like the perfect opportunity.Ā
It had been a long while since Iād been back, and it was really amazing to see how big the festival has gotten. Circus communities from all over the world are convening in Las Vegas for this, and itās great being able to see how different parts of the world create such unique and diverse acts!
CK: Describe your festival act for us. What was it like? What was your inspiration for the act? And who were your trainers and coaches?
KR: My act is admittedly very hard to describe. Itās a combination of darker, sneaky elements with a character that canāt help herself in drawing the audience into her web of intrigue. I took inspiration from a multitude of morally grey characters in pop culture who I felt have a magnetic quality towards those they surround themselves with. Essentially, I wanted to build a number that people couldnāt help but keep their eyes on. This was something that I conceptualized with the help of my partner, who had unending patience as I listened to the music on repeat for hours at a time, but the choreography and composition of the act were something I created by myself over the months leading up to the festival.Ā
CK: How did it feel to win two major prizes at the festival?
KR: Amazing! I really had no expectations for how well Iād do given all the talent that would be in attendance this year, and I was already thrilled to receive first in my category! When my name was called for the CircusTalk award, I was stunned and so, so grateful that my act was recognized for an award that went beyond my category. Itās incredibly validating to know that all of the effort and time Iāve poured into my art are being noticed.
CK: On your CircusTalk profile, you mention that you enjoy incorporating āmusical artistryā into your performances. Can you expand on what this means and how you incorporate musicality into your work?
KR: I define musical artistry as the very tangible connection between music, movement, and character. All three of these elements are incredibly intertwined and donāt exist without the others when I make my numbers. The songs I choose give me a feel and character to play which then informs the quality of movement that I need to embody. Not to mention how musical timing is essential in creating a piece that is intriguing to watch from start to finish. Overall, musicality is one of the biggest elements I play with in my numbers and itās something that I find incredibly fun when Iām putting all of the choreography together!
CK: What are your biggest goals for yourselfāboth as an artist and a person generally?
KR: Overall, I want to create pieces that are artistically gratifying for myself as well as my audience. Thereās nothing more satisfying than making an act that you can look back on and feel proud of. Proud of the skills you worked on, the time and effort you put into it, and the pieces of your heart and mind that you dedicated towards the art you created. I would love nothing more than to be able to create as a profession, whether that be my personal acts that Iām able to put on stage, or an overall production that combines the many diverse minds of its performers. Being able to share my creations is my passion, and I believe Iām headed in the right direction.
CK: Where do you see yourself in your career a decade from now?
KR: Such a tough question! Itās so hard to see what the future holds, especially when the circus world is constantly shifting and evolving. In the end, a decade from now, I hope to still be pouring myself into this art form that I love so much. I hope to be putting myself on stage for grander audiences with shows that live and breathe contemporary art as well as putting my own ideas on stage for an ensemble to bring to life. I hope that my creation has become my profession and that my passions keep driving me forward.
We very much hope the same for you, Kalista!Ā
While weāre here, letās not forget some of Kalistaās fellow awesome emerging artists who took the stage in Vegas and came out on top of their respective categories. Congrats to all the following winners:
The VIVA Festās 2023 Emerging Stars
Emy Guyard, Michelle Pawlisz, and Jocelyn HuntāAerial Duo+
Kalista RussellāAerial Hoop
Abigail KoettingāAerial Loop/Hammock
Storm HovanāAerial Other, Dance Trapeze, and Ground Act Cyr Wheel
Jeremy CifonieāAerial Rope
Julian MctaggartāStraps
Joel CastroāAerial Tissue Solo
Aleena SerdyukovaāCortortion Solo
Ruben Renaranda, Ali Bottari, Seth Ingram, Justin Mccormac, and Avery GunnellāGround Group Act
Mariah FrakerāGround Act Solo
Hiraku FujiiāGround Manipulation
Veronika MykhailovaāHand Balance Solo
James Heugh and Nathan TsujiāHand Balance Duo
Complete Winner List click here.Ā
With the circus and variety arts worldās eyes on them, these artists rose to the occasion. We canāt wait to see all of the amazing things they will be part of in the future.
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Images shared by Kalista Russell. Main image: Kalista at the VIVA Fest.
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