Conversations with Nicole Londraville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Londraville.

Hi Nicole, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2011, I was working as a scientist at a large biotech company in the Boston area. I was feeling uninspired by my career and was looking for a fun new hobby. So I tried an aerial arts class with a friend. I left the class knowing my life was changed forever. I began training aerial recreationally for several years while still working full time. All the while, I was plotting how to run away and join the circus. In 2017, my hard work paid off when I was accepted into the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) Protrack Program. Without hesitation, I quit my job and moved myself, husband, dog, and two cats from Boston to Brattleboro, Vermont. There I spent the next two fabulous years training circus full-time under NECCA’s world-class coaches. I graduated in June 2019 with a major in aerial rope and minor in cyr wheel. In September 2019, I moved to Denver, CO. I currently teach aerial and cyr wheel at several local studios including Aerial Cirque Over Denver and Frequent Flyers. I am also a member of the aerial dance company In the Wings and the circus performance company The Phantom Circus. The path I chose is not an easy one but I’m thankful every day that I took the leap, followed my heart, and joined the circus!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Making a living as an artist is always a challenge. COVID was especially hard as all the high-paying performances evaporated during the lockdown. Unfortunately, they have yet to fully return. So I decided to switch focus and concentrate more on teaching. So now I teach aerial and cyr wheel full time and perform occasionally. It’s been nice to have a steady schedule and income. I also think it has helped me stay creative as I can train the skills I am interested in and not focus on constantly making new acts for clients. I also love watching my students gain strength and confidence as they start to achieve skills they never thought they could do.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a vertical aerialist and cyr wheel performer/instructor. I train and perform on a multitude of circus apparatuses including aerial rope, cyr wheel, aerial silks, multi-corde, aerial straps, and aerial sling. I resonate towards contemporary circus as a performance style. I love combining big dynamic movement and strength-based skills along with theater and dance to tell a story with my body. My goal is to amaze the audience while also making them think.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
From my very first aerial lesson, I knew I was born to be a circus performer. It’s hard to describe the hold this art has on me. But I guess I love the challenge of it all. You have to be incredibly strong yet flexible. You have to be a performer and tell a story without actually saying anything. You have to be creative and find your own style. It’s an old art form but it continues to grow and change. Contemporary circus has ditched the lion tamers of old and has become a hybrid of acrobatics, dance, and theater. With so many things wrapped into one, it can never be perfected. But I will spend my life trying. I also love the circus community. It was created by outcasts who banned together to survive so everyone is welcome. We don’t care what you look like, who you love, or where you’re from. Instead, we care what you can do, how you move, and how creative you are. I am very fortunate to have found something I love so much and made it into a career. I hope everyone is lucky enough to find their circus!

Contact Info:

• Website: nicolelondraville.com
• Instagram: nicole.londraville
• Facebook: Nicole Londraville Circus Artist

Image Credits
Cyr Wheel and Aerial Silk photos by Annabelle Denmark Portraits. Aerial rope photos by Martha Worth Photography.