I am resuming my final year of undergrad at Brown University, having taken time off to start and grow a business, give a TEDx talk, and work full-time writing insurance policies. I'm also an amateur circus artist! Resuming my undergraduate career at Brown after developing life experiences has gifted me with a maturity and clarity which isn't easily learned. I try to bring my life experiences as a substantially older undergrad to all of my projects at Brown.

Project:

Circus artists showcase their athleticism, charisma, and bravery for the entertainment of audiences of all ages, and modern American circus arts generally feature white aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, and clowns. What does it take to “make it” professionally, as a Black circus artist? I will interview members of the elite cohort of working Black circus professionals on their path to professionalism, to gain a sense of what it takes for a nonwhite performer to find success in this industry. By compiling and comparing the concrete steps each of these performers took, I hope to create a roadmap to success from Black Circus pros, for the benefit of all aspiring circus performers of color.

Mentor: Shura Baryshnikov