The Central App will profile one of our region’s artists each month to share their story. If you know someone with creative talent to nominate contact: [email protected] 

Clyde’s Abigail Rose is a circus artist who has performed across the globe. 

Where do you live in Central, and what is special about your place?

“I currently live in Clyde. Central has been the most incredible place to teach outside because of the climate.

After moving from Wellington where you have to be inside a warehouse, this location allows kids and adults to learn in a studio and outside in the summer months.

In Alexandra the studio where I teach is probably the most magical space I’ve worked in; it’s unique and sprinkled with pot plants and lights as it's shared with a yoga studio.” 

What inspires you to keep creating performance art?

“A combination of injury and seeking movement. After not being able to walk properly for over a year from an accident I was searching for something to do, something that mostly used my upper body.

“... at the time Valerie Claymore had arrived in New Zealand from the USA and with others had started running a dance trapeze programme in Wellington. 

Abigail Rose has been involved in circus arts for the past 17 years

This was in 2005 and it was the first recreational circus class in the country. So I limped in and asked to join, I got hooked and the rest is history.

It inspires me to work with incredible circus pioneers around the world (Theaker Von Zinaro and Amy Ell) and to bring these ideas back to New Zealand to do something never done before and open up circus opportunities in remote communities. 

What kind of world would we live in without art and music?”

Where are you from and how have you ended up here?

“Circus took me from Wellington to around the world for nine years. And then from South Africa back here for mostly family reasons. My parents are the main factor.

But also change is refreshing and to reconnect with my country.”

What’s your favourite spot to enjoy in Central Otago?

“My favourite spot by far is hanging off my rig under the forest of pine trees here.” 

What else are you involved in within the community?

“I'm involved in playcentre plus teaching kids circus, performance groups, youth groups, adult programmes and the Dunstan High School PE Programme.

Building strength: instructing, inspiring children

I’ve taught pilates and aerial yoga over the past few years and am now running the Circus Space Charitable Trust with a group of super duper humans.

My next project is finding a big warehouse or space to hang all the aerial equipment.”

What do you see as the biggest challenge for Central Otago?

“Central has an image of being a wealthy area and perhaps of needing less funding.

However, in fact it desperately needs more funding for high quality art, music and movement. 

[It’s important] to inspire and engage with the youth here and to keep people open-minded by seeing and experiencing new things.”

How can people find out more about your circus art?

“Check out my websites: www.abigailrose.co.nz  and for classes for kids and adults in Alexandra: www.circusspace.co.nz

Or come along and watch a live performance 12 - 12.30pm on December 3, the Circus Space Show at the Festive Fete, Cromwell Racecourse.”

How did you manage through the pandemic and what are you doing differently post

Covid-19?

“It is about slowly building up aerials in a new community and looking for new venues to grow the circus programmes.

I'm more focused now on teaching and inspiring kids. Mostly because I’ve been performing since 2007 around the world.” 

Upside down: demonstrating aerial silks for a class of youngsters

What does the future look like for you and your artistic work?

“Taking the local Alexandra youth on tour and showing them the pathway to a circus career… and hanging silks off cranes with other artists. Watch this space.”

Watch a performance of Abigail’s on aerial silks over Queenstown here.