Check Out Megan Stern’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Stern

Hi Megan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
An insatiable curiosity and an unquenchable desire to learn has guided my seemingly random path! As a child, I never participated in dance or sports. Instead, my love of science and adventure compelled me to study and travel the globe. After earning a degree in Biology from the University of Colorado at Denver and I set off to discover the world. My first adventure began by accepting a short contract working at a scientific research base in McMurdo, Antarctica. The experience of traveling into the unknown and trying something that few others have the opportunity to be exposed to filled me with a unique sense of excitement and confidence. I returned to Denver looking for my next challenge.

In the summer of 2010, I encountered a flyer for an aerial fabrics class at my local gym. I thought it sounded crazy, so why not give it a try? My life was forever changed – one class in aerial silks and I was hooked! Since that fateful day I have had the honor to train, perform and teach worldwide with several Colorado based aerial groups including Aerial Fabric Acrobatics, Relevé Aerial Dance, Iluminar Aerial, and Soul Penny Circus.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Is a smooth road really possible for anyone who follows their heart? I guess maybe, but that was definitely not my experience!

As someone who came to the circus arts as an adult with no trained movement background, my first hurdle was getting to know and connect with my own body. Of course, building strength and flexibility was rough, I expected that. But learning to understand where my body was in space, and how to convey story and musicality through movement, are learning paths that I am continuing to walk down.

Then there are injuries to navigate. I think that everyone in this business will come to a point where they struggle with the limits of their body. The need for rest and recovery is a huge part of maintaining our bodies, but for most movement artists, it is a difficult thing to actually schedule and take!

Financial considerations are a very real challenge as well. Not only is the skill acquisition lengthy, classes, insurance, and all of the costs associated with creating and putting on a show add up quickly. Grants are helpful, but as most artists can attest, they are limited in number and highly sought after.

I also think I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that creating art requires constant experimentation and the acknowledgement of the possibility of failure. It has taken me a long time to be okay with the idea of failure, and even embrace failure as a welcomed companion within act development. Embracing failure as an important part of the creative process has allowed me to maintain greater compassion for myself and those I work with, while blowing open the doors to our collective imaginations. When failure is honored all ideas are worth a try, and sometimes that craziest one ends up being fantastic!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love that the circus arts allow me to explore different modes of expression through movement. I truly believe that the arts have the ability to speak to all people, regardless of background, on a deep level. As artists we create whole new worlds where people can come together, learn, experience, see things in new ways, and emerge after the experience as different people.

The work I am most proud of is with Soul Penny Circus. This group specializes in creating original, full-length shows blending classical circus disciplines, clowning, puppetry and theatrics. Cast members work together closely to create rich magical worlds with deeply nuanced characters. What really sets us apart is the love, respect and support we have for each other. Soul Penny Circus was created with the core belief that art is for everyone, and everyone has something to offer. Every cast member is an integral part of our creation process, and this yields a truly unique and varied experience for both performers and audience members.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
During the week, when I’m not circusing around, I’m spending time rehabilitating an old orchard with my family and paying the bills as a graphic designer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soulpennycircus.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flying_cricket/
• Other: https://lickfrogdesign.com/

Image Credits
Annabelle Denmark Photography
Martha Wirth Photography