SHOWS

CHARACTERS/WALK-ABOUT ACTS

INSTALLATION/INTERACTIVE

FILM & VIDEO PROJECTS

THE CHAOS PROJECT

The Chaos Project is a contemporary circus show made up of three distinct but interrelated vignettes exploring the thematic concepts of chaos and order. The work uses movement to delve into how these concepts intersect, collide, compliment and challenge one another in different human settings.

The overall project is Conceived and Directed by Kirsten Edwards with Dramaturgy by Zita Nyarady and Produced by Hercinia Arts Collective. Each vignette is led by a different choreographer in collaboration with the performing artists, offering a variety of perspectives on the work, themes and overall concepts.

Part I: PLAY

Part I: PLAY takes place on a school playground and uses structured improvisation on dance trapeze to explore these concepts through the lens of play.

Part II: CORPORATE CHAOS

Part II: CORPORATE CHAOS uses aerial ropes (corde lisse) to explore the competitive and capitalist corporate world.

2023 Creation for Parts I & II was made possible through funding from Toronto Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council, with studio support from Studio Flux.
with additional thanks to 2014 performer/collaborators: Sandra Crljenica, Kirsten Edwards, Jaz Empson, Kadri Hansen, Emily Hughes, Molly Keczan, Natalie Parkinson Dupley, Mark Segal & Chris Taylor

Part III: REVOLUTION

Part III: Revolution is set in a post-apocalyptic environment and focuses on the aftermath of a cataclysmic event. Through this lens, the project seeks to give body, shape and form to the chaotic times we are all presently navigating. The piece uses a unique, custom-designed aerial apparatus and vertical dance counterbalance conceived by Diana Lopez-Soto.

Initial creation for The Chaos Project Part III was made possible through the support of The Canada Council for the Arts in 2021 and 2024, with venue support provided by The Bentway in Summer 2021.

The Chaos Project has been in development since 2013 with Parts I & II originally presented as part of the Contemporary Circus Arts Festival of Toronto and A Spectacle of Play in 2014, as seen in the archival video below.

The latest phase of creation began in 2021, beginning with initial creation of Part III, and has since solidified each of three vignettes. We are now actively pursuing partners to help us realize our dream of a full production in public space. If you or someone you know can help us to realize this dream, please contact us at hello@herciniarts.com.

As this project continues to evolve into its final stages, we are grateful for the support of our community.
If you have the capacity and you'd like to assist financially in the journey to full production, donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.

CONSTRUCTION GUYS

We're Working on It!

Introducing our brand new aerial acrobatic street show.
Now Available for bookings in 2024

Awaken your inner 3-year old and join The Guys™ at the Construction site. These hard hat hustlers turn an everyday build into a high energy, physical comedy with some high flying acrobatic surprises.
Feats of strength? Choreographed dances? Lunch break?
This is not a drill. We nail it all, because nobody likes a screw up.... Dig it?

Crafted around the inherent spectacle of setting up our aerial rig, this non-verbal 35 minute show uses character performance, physical comedy and rigging know how to steadily build up to a riveting performance on aerial harness and rope, while using drag performance to subtly question notions of gender.

Produced in collaboration with Trellis Arts.
Creation & Performance: Vanita Butrsingkorn, Emily Hughes & Nicole Malbeuf
Direction: Zita Nyarady
Alternate Performer: Isadora Bello

Highlight performances include: Montreal Clown Festival (2024), Peterborough Artsweek, Ottawa International Buskerfest (2023), Arts in the Parks Toronto, Toronto International Buskerfest (2022)

THE ENCHANTED FOREST

The Enchanted Forest is a 30 minute contemporary circus performance fusing aerial arts, stilt dance, character performance and physical theatre to weave together a fantastical visual tale. As the light of Summer and the magic of the forest begins to fade, two forest spirits find strength to help three Birds with their transition to a new home. While all three birds must prepare for migration, the youngest is just learning how to fly with the group, while the oldest prepares for what will likely be her last flight. In a sacred space held by the quiet wisdom of the trees, the Birds each find their path ahead through dazzling displays of flight.

Original Concept: Natalie Parkinson Dupley
Creation and Choreography: Natalie Parkinson Dupley, Emily Hughes & the performers past & present
Current Cast: Vanita Butrsingkorn, Valerie Cheng, Kirsten Edwards, Zita Nyarady & Edio Silvio
with thanks to past cast members: Sandra Crljenica, Natalie Parkinson Dupley & Mark Segal
Directed by: Emily Hughes

The Enchanted Forest premiered as part of Arts in the Parks Toronto, August 2023 at Flagstaff Park
Highlight performances of Birds of Flight include: Arts in the Parks Toronto 2018, Canada 150 Celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square & Mel Lastman Square, Canada Day Celebrations at Mississauga Celebration Square

GURGLE, SPLASH!

Gurgle, Splash! combines aerial dance, physical theatre, puppetry and object manipulation to showcase a fantastical and whimsical underwater world. The world famous eccentric Peasblossom has discovered a rare and mysterious occurrence: Once in a long while at the height of summer, a rare occurrence creates an extraordinary oceanic microclimate right in the middle of an urban park. This feast for the eyes has never before been witnessed and we invite you to behold these remarkable aquatic creatures.

Gurgle, Splash! is a 30 minute participatory circus-theatre show for young audiences and their families. Each show begins with a community workshop where participants of all ages are invited to learn a variety of object-based and acrobatic circus skills. Those who wish may then showcase their skills as part of the show. For Arts in the Parks Toronto, workshops were offered in collaboration with SoCirC. For touring productions we are happy to bring our own workshop facilitators or to collaborate with a local circus organization.

Writer & Director: Vanita Butrsingkorn
Co-Creation and Choreography: Kirsten Edwards, Emily Hughes
Current Cast: Kirsten Edwards, Emily Hughes
Costumes: Amanda Wong
Voiceover: Natalie Parkinson Dupley
Arts in the Parks SoCirC Workshop Facilitators: Nailah Renuka, Alyceia Wilson & Athena Lamarre

Gurgle, Splash! premiered as part of Arts in the Parks Toronto, August 2024 at Flagstaff Park
inspired by our 2010 original production of the same name created by: Kalen Davidson, Emily Hughes, Natalie Parkinson Dupley & Molly Keczan

THE FLYING MACHINE

A street/festival aerial show dedicated to finding whimsy and imagination in every audience member, young and old. A fun, quirky and high energy skill-show inspired by steam- and diesel-punk with a touch of Seuss, The Flying Machine brings together 4 cirque-style aerial dance performances, into one fantastical show. Using aerial rope (corde lisse), lyra, stilt dance and dance trapeze, the quirky Professor Leedle Deedle Beedle takes her audience on a tour of her latest and most spectacular “flying” inventions.

Creation & Choreography: Vanita Butrsingkorn, Kirsten Edwards, Natalie Parkinson Dupley & Emily Hughes
Current Cast: Vanita Butrsingkorn, Kirsten Edwards and Natalie Parkinson Dupley
Directed by: Zita Nyarady

Highlight performances include: Arts in the Parks Toronto, The Junction Summer Solstice Festival, Toronto International Buskerfestival, Nuit Blanche North

HASA: THE AERIAL SPACE SHOW

An aerial circle show homage to outer space! HASA: The Aerial Space Show brings together high skilled aerial acts, like the kind you would see in a Cirque-style performance, into one intergalactic show. As the spaceship prepares to take off the aerial explorers of Hercinia Arts Collective embark on a mission to boldly go where no circus show has gone before. A variety of aerial acts including aerial hoop, straps and silks represent a sublime picture of the cosmos - dangerous and exciting. The show is then topped off with our incredible partner aerial act, as we take audiences beyond their imaginations into new realms never seen before.

Creation & Choreography: Meg Boland, Natalie Parkinson Dupley, Sandra Crljenica, Kirsten Edwards, Madi Smith, Emily Hughes & additional guest performers
Current Cast: Meg Boland, Madi Smith, Sandra Crljenica Alternates: Vanita Butrsingkorn, Kirsten Edwards, Emily Hughes
Direction: Natalie Parkinson Dupley & Sandra Crljenica

Highlight performances include: Ottawa Busker Festival, Toronto International Buskerfest, Halifax International Buskers Festival, The Junction Summer Solstice Festival, Nuit Blanche North, Arts in the Parks 2021

 THE STUPENDOUS SILVER SISTERS

Opportunity strikes when these grey-haired ladies happen upon an abandoned busking pitch. "The show must go on!" so they take to the stage and sky for the most hilarious and unexpected display of aerial expertise and acrobatic stunts imaginable!

A comedic aerial circle show for all ages featuring acrobatics, slapstick humour and high skilled aerial acts, this troupe knows how to win over the hearts of their fans with their quirky interactions and stupendous skills. This 30-45min show includes partner acrobatics, trapeze, aerial silks, a high-flying, fast-spinning finale on the spanish web… and a whole lot of humour!

Creation & Performance: Meg Boland (Mabel), Natalie Parkinson Dupley (Gladys) & Emily Hughes (Esther)
Direction: Jessie Fraser

Highlight performances include: Arts in the Parks Toronto, Ottawa Buskerfest, Toronto Buskerfest, Tilsonburg Turtlefest & Guelph Frosh Week

MONEY FISH

These synchro swimmers meet flapper girls are seriously silly. Dance and acrobatic skills round out their clownish audience interactions.

Money Fish are a zany acrobatic trio of fish-like synchronized swimmers - on land! They have been swimming through audiences since 2011 and have performed at the Dubai Comedy Festival (2015), Toronto International Buskerfest (2011, 2014 & 2016) and Canada Days at Nathan Phillips Square and Mississauga Celebration Square (Canada 150 events, 2017), to name a few. A highly interactive act, the Money Fish are very playful and often over-the-top silly. Audiences love to play along!

Money Fish can also perform a 10-minute cabaret act (featured at the Montreal Clown Festival and Play the Fool in Edmonton, among others) and are currently in development on their first full length show for young audiences: Balls, Balls, Balls.

GARGOYLES

Part guerrilla aerial, part human statue, part theatrical character, our gargoyles climb and perch in contorted positions while engaging and delighting audiences with their comedic faces.

Our Gargoyles have been delighting audiences since 2010 and have performed at the Dubai Comedy Festival (2015), Toronto International Buskerfest (2011 & 2015) and The Junction Solstice Festival (2016), to name a few. A highly interactive act, the Gargoyles make a great fun, theatrical addition to any event.

MOSQUITOES

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Is that a giant mosquito!?! Don’t worry, these guys give more hugs than bites! A fun addition to any festival or party.

(RE)MOVING GRAFFITI

(re)moving Graffiti is a performance art installation where performers in Graffiti and mural painted bodysuits interact with their landscape to create moveable human art. Performers draw on backgrounds in aerial, dance, acro balance, contortion, hand balancing and physical theatre to create engaging and unexpected images in any urban setting.

FAWNS

Fawns are dancing forest creatures that will surprise spectators as they quickly transform from natural statues to prancing and frolicking companions. These curious and playful creatures interact with both children and adults. They are a great interactive character for festivals and street level events! They leap and dance through audiences leaving them enchanted by their playful interactions.

They made their debut as part of the Canadian Living Forest show at Mississauga Square for Canada Day in 2016 and performed on stage and in the audience in the Voix De Ville Extravagonzo in St.Catherines in November 2016. A great addition to any indoor or outdoor event, audiences are pleasantly surprised by these creatures and love to pose with them!

FLAMINGOES

These bright and fun, larger than life puppets are an absolute delight for all ages. Add a touch of spectacle to your event with these beautiful stilt creatures!

ENCHANTED MAPLE TREES

These slow-moving stilt creatures bring the energy of nature to any event. Witness a living forest take life around you bringing an element of magic and whimsy.

MOOSE ON THE LOOSE

An ode to Canadian wildlife, our oversized moose are the perfect photo-op for any celebratory Canadian event. Listen carefully and you might hear them calling “MOOOOOOOOOSE”.

I FEAR

A multidisciplinary & participatory installation where a musician and aerialist create live improvisations based on audiences fears.

I Fear is an improvised performance on aerial silks and cello based on audience suggestions. Throughout the event audience members are invited to write down something that “I fear” about the present or future and to place it on a hanging line surrounding the aerial rig and to read and interact with others’ fears. At various intervals, aerial performers take turns selecting fears from the line, reading them aloud and performing an improvised act based on the fear read with the accompaniment of a live cellist. Throughout the improvisation audience members are encouraged to shout out words or phrases of support and hope which the performers react to, allowing room for a cathartic release from the original fear presented and a multi-layered emotional performance reflective of the time we live in. These improvisational sets may last anywhere from 15-30 min with several fears being explored during each set. At the end of the installation audiences will be invited to participate in a ceremony to acknowledge the remaining fears and to destroy or carry them as they see fit.

MOVING MURALS

An interdisciplinary installation fusing live painting, mural art, dance, circus and theatre.

Moving Murals is an interdisciplinary performance art installation that takes place in public space and invites the public into the art. While creating a new mural, the visual artist simultaneously paints performing artists, dressed in full bodysuits, to become a part of the artwork. Afterwards the installation continues with the performers moving around the space both within and outside of the mural. Through interacting with the mural the dancers create shifting perspectives in the work itself and as they spread out over the urban landscape they expand the artwork’s reach, imprinting it on different objects and imbuing them and the art with expanded meaning. The live painting itself is also a key part of the performance, creating a multi-layered dialogue between visual artist, performers and audience. The concept for each new piece is unique to its location and is created as a collaboration between local visual artists and director/choreographer, with the mural artist proposing a visual concept, and the choreographer working to find ways in which the performer’s bodies can be used as a physical and artistic extension of the work.

The first rendition of Moving Murals was presented as part of the In the Soil Arts Festival (Saint Catharines) in 2018. It was a collaboration between local visual artist Chad McDonald, choreographer Natayu Mildenberger and performers Vanita Butrsingkorn & Emily Hughes.

LADY PEASBLOSSOM’S SANCTUARY
(FOR EXTREMELY RARE AND PERNICIOUS BEASTS)

You are cordially invited to a tea party in Lady Peasblossom’s salon.
What will happen next is anyone’s guess…

Lady Peasblossom’s Sanctuary is an immersive performance involving dance, theatre, circus, music and visual arts. Lady Peasblossom is an eccentric Victorian woman who collects creature oddities as a status symbol to show off to friends and strangers alike. Each of her creatures are represented by circus artists in a variety of disciplines such as aerial arts, acrobatics, contortion and stilt walking. Each exists in its own fully immersive environment that is both a circus performance space and a unique visual art installation that both the performer and audience can interact with.

Lady Peasblossom’s Sanctuary was workshopped at the Hercinia Arts studio in 2009 and presented later that year as part of Zoofest in Montreal.

AKASHA

Akasha is an animated film that uses aerial and dance to explore one woman’s connection to the elements. A collaboration with director/animator Evan DeRushie, the film uses a form of rotoscope animation called “Lunamation”.

Commissioned by TAIS, the film made its debut as part of Nuit Blanche 2011. It has since played in a number of festivals worldwide.

director: Evan DeRushie
concept: Emily Hughes
performers/choreographers: Molly Keczan & Emily Hughes
sound design: Christopher Willes
created with support from: Art4Commuters, OneStop Media, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council

‘C’ IS FOR CIRCUS

A fun alphabet video that made in collaboration with animator Evan DeRushie.

Hercinia artists celebrate their love of circus by using their bodies to form letters of the alphabet!

concept/art direction: Emily Hughes
Photography/Sound/Editing: Evan DeRushie
Performers: Sandra Crljenica, Molly Keczan, Emily Hughes, Zita Nyarady, Kadri Hansen and Kirsten Edwards

BENCHED

Benched is a contemporary circus film set entirely on a park bench, in which a stranger helps a young woman turn her perspective upside-down.

concept/direction: Emily Hughes
cinematography: Evan DeRushie
performers: Christopher Taylor & Molly Keczan
Music: Raha Javanfar & Arif Mirabdolbaghi

WORK, FISH

A fun and silly workout music video from our crowd favourite Money Fish characters.

concept/direction: Emily Hughes
cinematography: Kala Lowson
performers/choreographers: Sandra Crljencia, Natalie Parkinson Dupley & Emily Hughes
Music: Britney Spears “Work”

MONEY FISH IN QUARANTINE

The Pandemic has brought upon many challenges and forced us into Lockdowns and Quarantines. The Money Fish have been stuck inside for far too long and now they must overcome obstacles to find their way.

concept/direction/choreography/editing: Natalie Parkinson Dupley
performers: Sandra Crljencia, Meg Boland & Emily Hughes
Music: Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” & Johan Strauss’ “Perpetuum Mobile”