Stuart Christie has officially taken the reins as the new principal trainer for Kelso High Campus' Cirkus Surreal troupe, and is looking to foster the next generation of circus performers.
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Mr Christie, who is based at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, has carved out an impressive career in circus arts as both a performer and instructor.
As a full-time performer with Circus Oz between 2006 and 2008, Mr Christie showcased his vertical rope, trapeze and silks skills to numerous audiences worldwide.
"I got to perform in places such as New York and Hawaii, and I consider my time with Circus Oz a key career highlight," he said.
"Performing at the Sydney Opera House was a special experience as I grew up in Sydney and there's such sentimental value in performing to your home crowd."
Mr Christie graduated from Melbourne's National Institute of Circus Arts [NICA] in 2004, the same institution that has since been attended by notable Cirkus Surreal alumni Mark Graham and Eleanor Nunn.
As an instructor, Mr Christie spent six years with Albury's Flying Fruit Fly Circus, a premier youth performing arts organisation catering for emerging circus talent.
"The Flying Fruit Fly Circus provides a busy full-time schedule for students, and they have to juggle training with schoolwork," he said.
"It can be a challenge at times to keep teenagers engaged in the repetitive nature of circus training, but the hard work eventually pays off and students learn from each performance."
In addition, Mr Christie has played a role in the production of a range of independent shows, including the well-received Dos or Duo in 2009.
"The show allowed me to develop my own work and see it turn into something far greater than I initially imagined," he said.
"I worked with Kane Petersen, a colleague of mine who is well renowned worldwide for his skills as a physical comedian."
Dos or Duo was nominated for best circus show at the 2009 Melbourne Fringe Festival and the 2010 Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Mr Christie will be at Kelso High working with Cirkus Surreal until the end of the year, balancing time between his own circus classes in Blackheath and as a trainer for Sydney's Aerialize performance company.
He said Cirkus Surreal has the potential to expand their expertise to larger audiences.
"I've already noticed the immense excitement students display towards circus arts, and I'm looking forward to helping them further develop their talents."
"Circus incorporates so many mediums, including music, dance and drama, and I find the more memorable shows draw on each aspect of performing arts."
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
