TWO young Bendigo aerialists are flying high after their talents were recognised at the Musical Theatre Guild of Victoria awards on Saturday night.
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Isla Devers, 9, and Remy Cugura, 11, received an award of excellence from the Guild for their aerial efforts in Tribe Youth Theatre’s debut production, Barnum.
The pair perform a solo hoop routine (Isla), a solo silk routine (Remy) and joint hammock routine as part of the show in September and October.
With a background of dancing and gymnastics, Remy has been work on aerial silk work at Z Fit Studios since April.
“She wanted to try something different. She started in the beginners group but after her first lesson she was approached to join the adult performance group where she is the youngest member,” mum Janine Culgura said.
Nine-year-old Isla started in Z Fit’s Monkey Kids classes at age 4 and has steadily moved through different apparatus.
“She is always happy getting up and swinging. If people are watching, then she thinks its even better,” Isla’s mother Liz Young said.
“I was doing dancing and started at Z Fit. I took her to come and try Monkey Kids and she really loved it.”
Barnum director Vanessa Bate said she was thrilled for the two young performers.
“It really is well deserved recognition of their excellent work,” she said.
“They are very talented girls and their aerial work really enhanced the production of Barnum as did all the circus skills that the kids learnt and displayed in the show.”
When Ms Bate took on the directing role of Barnum, she knew she wanted aerialists to make the show standout.
I remember going to Easter parade, seeing the Z Fit flaot and thinking ‘fantastic, those performers are in Bendigo’. It cemented the idea in my head,” she said.
“See the show all come together and happen was incredibly satisfying and overwhelming.
“The kids put on an incredible spectacle that I knew audiences, young and old, would appreciate.”
Z Fit Studios director Saari Frochot-Ryan helped choreograph the aerial aspects of the show.
“We were really excited about the opportunity for some of the studio’s students to perform outside of the studio space for Barnum,” she said.
“Remy and Isla are a part of Z Fit Studios’ circus program and have worked across a range of aerial apparatus – three of which were featured in Barnum.”
Tribe Youth Theatre – which is part of Bendigo Theatre Company – also had two other nominations.
Cedar-Rose Russell was nominated in the junior female in a leading role category her role of Charity Barnum and Claire Sexton was nominated for best choreography in a junior production.