Hi my name is Abi.

I need your help to get me upside down - in VEGAS!!

When I was 4, my mum found me in the living room, swinging from the curtains pretending to be Zendaya in The Greatest Showman. I wanted nothing more than to be upside down and flying in the air. Following a diagnosis of Joint Hypermobility (now known as hEDS) a specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist suggested I try aerial as a safe way for me to exercise.

I have been training for 8 years with some amazing coaches and secured a full time place at a prestigious vocational performing arts school here in the UK. Everything I do is aimed at getting me one step closer to my goal of being a professional Aerial and Musical Theatre Performer. What was once a fun and safe hobby has well and truly become a secure vocational pathway.

This year, I have been privileged to be offered a coveted place with Le Petit Cirque. This is an internationally renowned talent training facility, agency, and production company, specialising in youth circus. It is by audition only and it is so validating to know that they think I have potential. I’m so excited at the possibility of working with them!

For the past 10 years, Le PeTiT CiRqUe has hosted international gifted youths at their AUGUST Casting-Intensive and Residencies every year. Gifted artists come from across the USA, Canada, UK, Japan, Australia, Norway and other countries to train 6-8 hours a day with their company including industry booking agents, casting directors, Cirque producers and trainers, cirque choreographers and talent agents.

I will be based in Las Vegas (the entertainment capital of the world) for one week. We will train everyday for around 7 hours across all disciplines. I will have the opportunity to work with elite Aerialists, casting directors, acting coaches and other specialists in the industry. This is an excellent opportunity for me to learn, grow and experience Aerial life. This is more than just training, this is an opportunity to become part of an international community and to begin creating my professional identity.

We have been saving in preparation for any future training opportunities and I am funding as much of this trip as possible using my savings. However, we didn’t think THIS opportunity would come as fast as it has!

Being so young, I obviously have to travel with a chaperone- my mum. So we need to factor that into our costs too. She loves nothing more than sitting inside a boiling hot Aerial Studio watching me train

Every penny raised will go directly into paying for the travel, accommodation, insurance, and subsistence. Anything leftover will be saved for further training international opportunities.