300 W. HARGETT ST, #40, RALEIGH, NC 919-714-9082‬
Pa'volar Circus + Aerial Performance Ensemble Program
View the 2024 performance here
ABOUT THE SHOW
Cirque De Vol and Pa’Volar present Circus ‘Out of the Box’—an innovative creation that delves into the boundaries of our world and the ‘boxes’ we continually break free from. Through a dynamic blend of aerial artistry, acrobatics, and captivating performances, this show explores the constraints that shape our lives and the moments of liberation that redefine them. Out of the Box invites you to uncover the extraordinary possibilities that lie just beyond the limits we set for ourselves.
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM​
Throughout the program, participants will work on leveling up their technique in multiple Ground and Aerial disciplines while also working on Act Development and Ensemble Show Creation. Our training incorporates Circus, Dance, Aerial Technique, Physical Theatre, and more. From the colorful costumes and vibrant music to the theatre and storytelling we bring to life, Pa’Volar becomes so much more than something you do. You become a part of this high-energy, immersive, dynamic, and fun artistic community! The culmination of the program includes a produced performance presented to the public, providing valuable onstage experience and preparing students for the professional world.
The program includes two weekly classes, a two-hour Ensemble Creation period one Saturday per month, as well as an additional one-hour weekly skill training session on an apparatus of your choice (Aerial Silks, Sling, Rope, Straps, Trapeze, or Lyra).
Pa’Volar participants also benefit from unlimited open gym times for individual training and rehearsal. We find that this helps sharpen skills and feed a determined spirit!
The program is led by seasoned Coach Mena Orr, Coach Colleen Sands, and Assistant Coaches Maria Carvajal and Houston Odum, with support + direction of Paulina Munoz + Sara Howell.
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Pa’Volar Membership includes an additional weekly aerial series class on the apparatuses of your choice, unlimited open gym sessions, and all theatre, rehearsal and performance times.
Auditions for the Fall 2024 program have been completed.
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Coach Colleen
Coach Mena
Coach Maria
Coach Houston
About the Instructors:
Colleen fell in love with all things aerial in 2012. Since then she has studied with various teachers throughout Los Angeles, CA (Womack & Bowman, Paper Doll Militia) and Austin, TX (Blue Lapis Light) and loves performing at live events. She received her Aerial Yoga teacher certification from Up Flying Yoga in 2015. She has also completed her Aerial Silks Teacher Training through Paper Doll Militia. She believes you should never stop learning and this art form is ever evolving, giving us endless things to explore, create and discover. Her goal when teaching is to make sure everyone finds success at their own level and leaves feeling proud of what they have accomplished.
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Mena Wiser started her career as a dancer and gymnast. Her background includes teaching competitive acro dance and competitive gymnastics. Mena started working for Cirque De Vol in 2021. Since then she has been Co-director of the Pa'Volar performance program, led Cirque De Vol's first group to the Soar Aerial Competition, and performed in festivals and other events. Mena looks forward to more aerial competitions and taking the Pa'Volar program to the next level!
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Maria started her aerial journey in Costa Rica around the age of 12. There she was part of Baile Plaza Victoria's dance company for five years. During this time, she was the lead aerialist for Baile Plaza. After moving to the United States at the age of 17 Maria joined Jamie Poletti's Cape Fear Circus Arts dance company, which allowed her to gain experience as a performer in the United States.
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​Houston is a Circus Director/Producer from Jamestown, NC. He began his circus career at age 9 after learning to juggle and quickly fell in love with the art form. His Speed Juggling Act has won awards across the U.S, including a Bronze Medal in the Juniors World Championships of Juggling in 2017 and First Place at the Atlanta Juggling Festival in 2018. Houston holds a degree from the UNC School of the Arts in Design and Production with a concentration in Set Design and founded his own company, Circus EVO, in 2020 amidst the pandemic. Since then, he has directed numerous projects presented across North Carolina and even in Canada. In February 2025, his original show, Solstice, is slated to complete a six-city tour across North Carolina and Tennessee.
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Cheya started her circus journey at the age of twelve in the world of youth circus. There she was able to explore a variety of disciplines and was exposed to frequent performance opportunities. By the time she was in high school Cheya had dived head over heels into her love for circus and eventually found her way to Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour where she toured for three consecutive summers. Knowing she wanted to pursue a career in circus arts, after finishing high school Cheya attended Necca’s Protrack Program (2017-2019) where she began her ongoing relationship with Chinese pole. Since graduating she has worked with Cirque du Soleil on their touring show Ovo and was a part of the original creation of the chinese pole act. Most recently she completed her second contract of Duel Reality a Seven Fingers show.