When thinking of the world of circus arts, it’s easy to imagine every stereotype in the book: Theatrical performances accompanied by embellished outfits, anxiety-inducing stunts that leave a crowd in awe, bright lights and savory foods, and maybe even a tent of red and white that encompasses an “outdated” practice. These misconceptions, however, represent a lost opportunity in which one could dive into a growing world of performers, healers, and teachers who are using movement as an avenue for joy, connection, and personal growth. The world of circus arts is not an outdated practice, but rather an overlooked one, and is quickly becoming redefined by our very own community here in Fayetteville.
After speaking with Dana Krementz and Aaron Rider, one can learn how circus arts is a belief that joy helps change people’s lives, and that belief will soon be played out in parks, studios, and community centers across Northwest Arkansas.
A Holistic Approach To Health
Dana (They/Them) spent most of their childhood in Fayetteville, heading to Vancouver, British Columbia, in pursuit of a master’s degree in public health. Yet as Dana has returned, they did not just bring a suitcase — They brought a decade’s worth of public health experience, circus training, and the deep-rooted belief that joyful movement is essential to communicating with ourselves and others.
As an acroyoga instructor, aerial artist, and public health professional, Dana was eager to share the parallels of movement within one’s daily life and how it translates to a community. “My focus has always been health equity,” Dana explained. “I ask myself, how can we address what is unequal and unjust to support a community’s holistic health? And not just physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.”
After earning their master’s, Dana worked within multiple trauma-informed roles across North America, largely focusing on sexual and gender based health. They spent time working for the Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault, as well as Vancouver’s WISH Drop-in Centre. While rewarding, Dana admitted it was emotionally heavy work. After working with Red Fox Healthy Living Society, they expressed, “I was reminded that I want to be trauma-informed, but joy-based.” This reminder is what led them towards their passion for circus arts, and eventually teaching acroyoga, a type of movement that blends yoga, communication, and trust.
“It is Movement That Feels Good”.
Dana’s acroyoga practice isn’t about flashy stunts and tricks. It is about the freedom found in learning to listen to your body, and communicating with yourself and others. “A friend once told me something that has always stuck with me, and become the crux of what I do. They said that acroyoga is not a physical practice with communication benefits. It is a communication practice with physical benefits,” Dana said. “It’s creating a shared language so that we have a better ability to connect, play, and create – and you just so happen to be getting fit at the same time.”
For Dana, who identifies as trans and non-binary, circus arts offered a new kind of freedom. “Growing up, you were offered structures such as the girl ‘box’ or the boy ‘box’, being told those are the only two options to fit in. In a similar way, physical activity is structured in either a gym ‘box’ or sports ‘box’. I quickly realized that in terms of both gender and physical activity, there is no limit and no ‘box’ one has to fit into.” Dana continued, stating “This allowed me to create a positive relationship with physical activity that wasn’t rooted in competition or what my body is supposed to look like. It was rooted in expression.”
This mindset is evident in the options they offer as a teacher, from private lessons and community workshops, to large scale events such as the Fayetteville Movement Festival. They pride themselves on making classes free, age accessible, and an opportunity for learners of all skill levels to attend, whether that be through providing ride shares or snacks for attendees. Although Dana has taught in five different countries, they are passionate about what is happening here in our community.
“It’s been really cool to see such a hearty thirst and demand for these classes,” Dana expressed, noting how a previous event they held gathered attendees all the way from Missouri. “More people want ways to move and be in community, and I’m very lucky Fayetteville is willing to support me in that initiative.”
Dana has been working with the Jones Center and Springdale to develop different multi-age circus classes, and recently was the recipient of a community activation grant from the City of Fayetteville. This will be an initiative to launch a free four-week series, called “Fall Into Acroyoga Class and Jam”. Starting on September 24th, every Wednesday until October the 15th at 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., there will be classes held in Gulley Park, featuring the foundations of acroyoga, as well as a “jam”, which is an unstructured but supervised time where anyone can practice what they learned that day, or try something new.
Enter: The Clown
As the world of Circus Arts blossoms in Fayetteville, I spoke with a friend and collaborator of Dana’s for the upcoming classes in Gulley Park: Melvino The Clown.
Also known as Aaron Rider, Melvino has been performing since 2004, having experience working with traditional big top circuses for over a decade. After meeting his wife, he has settled here in Springdale, where he now balances local theatre performances, clown gigs, and the Northwest Arkansas Juggling Club. He notes where his passion began, stating “I was so young when I said I wanted to be a clown, nobody thought I was serious. But it’s been my goal ever since I can remember.”
I asked him his thoughts on the “scary clown stereotype”, and Melvinos performances – part improv, part nostalgia, part balancing acts – are anything but creepy. “Stephen King owes me money,” He joked. “People think clowns are scary, but we help people process big feelings. I want people to see their own stuff reflected back at them by my funhouse mirror.”
Movement As A Tool For Belonging
He and Dana are both members of the Northwest Arkansas Juggling Club, and have found a shared love of this playful, expressive, and accessible movement. They will be co-leading the Gulley Park acroyoga classes, with Melvino adding his own unique experience, community spirit, and joyful blend of humor.
Together, both Dana and Melvino are helping redefine what accessible movement can look like here in Fayetteville, as something that is not just exercise, but a practice of connection. The world of circus arts is not all performance, but a way to play. It is not about exclusion, but centered around inclusion.
“There are so many ways to connect with yourself and others,” Dana said. “The most important thing is to trust your gut and try something new.” Or, as Melvino put it: “Clowns are still relevant, dangit! We’re needed.”
Whether it is done through lifting a partner in the air or through balancing on a unicycle, it is evident that spreading joy is important work, and Dana and Melvino want our community to come together to experience this first hand. Make sure to mark your calendars for the month of September, and find a space where you can connect, learn, and most importantly, move in Fayetteville.
Follow info about the Fall Into Acroyoga sessions on Facebook or here on Instagram.
Ryanne FitzGerald
Contributor
I ultimately set out to study advertising and public relations because I enjoyed how it mixed business with creativity, and I knew if I did not end up in a field in which I’m passionate that I would be sure to burn out. I have always been a creative person, and I would even go as far as to say it is the overarching quality of me that bleeds into everything I do. It is not limited to any form, whether its music, dance, fashion, painting, cinematography, poetry, crafting or more, I will be drawn to it. This is what pulled me to advertising in the first place, as I found old commercial jingles growing up took more precedence in my mind than learning about times tables during my formative years. I am a firm believer in everything being art, down to the lines created by a trail of ants or the way littered trash mimics wildflowers.
