THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WIG
"So like...when are you going to get a real job?"
- my dad
"I never liked the circus, I just think it's a bunch of nonsensical swinging from here to here"
- my mom ( I found out this is how she feels 9 years into my career)
Hula hoops, hand and bottle balancing
Hi. My name is Renée
and I am a multi-disciplinary circus artist and creative extraordinaire based in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia and available internationally.
Unlike so many circus artists out there, I started my circus journey late at the age of 22. Despite a great desire to learn dance, gymnastics and diving, I grew up in a culture that greatly discourages creative endeavours. I had no background in any sort of movement or creative realms. What started as a means to lose weight became an empowering, artistic journey that has become an integral part of my identity.
Through tenacity, hard work and the gracious support, encouragement and inspiration of so many – I have become the artist that I am today. I use circus as an empowering medium to explore movement, femininity sexuality, comedy and other themes.
I am grateful to have discovered and to be a part of the world of circus where I can explore, create and push myself beyond realms of comfort.
My services and disciplines include hula hoops, equilibrium (hand and bottle balancing, stilt walking/dancing), fire-eating and character in the capacities of stage acts, productions and event animation.
I am also an award winning, multi-disciplinary visual artist and designer. My creative body of work explores the capacity of humanity and normalization of trauma.
Oh and I also design software and applications, once upon a time I was an urban planner, was a headgear child and I love cats and bicycles.
Highlights
Pause. Shift. Rebound Show
Writer, Producer + Director
Hula hoops, hand and bottle balancing solos
Circus - VFS Short Film
Hula hooper
Stan Douglas Penn Station’s Half Century Mural in New York City, 2020
Hula hooper, character representing Asahi Foot Juggling Troupe
Quirques Cabaret 2019
Hula hoops, hand and bottle balancing
Lululemon Seawheeze Festival, 2013, 2018, 2019
Event animation, character, stiltwalking, hula hoops
New Westminster Circus Festival, Aug 2019
Hula hoops solo
Sothebys Event, Jul 2019
Event animation, aerial diamond dance
Started from the Bottom Cabaret, June 2019
Hula hoops solo
Quirques Cabaret, Nov 2018
Writer and performer for I Can't Tell You How Much This Hurts, an exploratory act on injury and pain with Maria Sample
Workshop showcase of busking/clowning act
Vancouver CircusFest, Jul 2018
Burlyesque Hula hoops solo
Electronic Arts Event, Jan 2017
Stilt walking, character
Circus Incubator, Nov 2016/Feb 2017
1 of 4 Canadians selected for the international artist residency program
Share Foundation Show, 2014
Fire eating solo
In the House Festival Production, 2013
Aerial hoop solo, stilt walking
University of Calgary Dance Montage, 2012
Stilt dancing, ensemble performance
For more, see my CV