The Embarking Programme

Welcome to The Embarking, a showcase of devised circus pieces created by the National Centre for Circus Arts BA (Hons) class of 2026.

Watering Plants

Soak the soil thoroughly, but do not water too often. Water deeply so it reaches the roots, and always check the soil moisture first to avoid waterlogging.
Rain water is best, unless you want something surprising to grow.

Johannes Siven and Rosa Wilm

Discipline: Hand-to-hand

Other skills: Watering plants

See more of Rosa and Johannes →

Waltz of Velvet & Gold

In a golden realm of ballrooms and dancing, romance can take shape in the slightest touch of a hand. The push and pull of a partner dance is not so different to the dynamic of desire, and what will take flight tonight may spin out of control into a dangerous infatuation.

 

Alanna Clay (she/her)

Discipline: Dance Trapeze

Other skills: Aerial hoop, Handbalancing, Aerial Hammock, Aerial Straps

See more of Alanna →

Roots and Wings

‘Roots and Wings’ is an aerial straps act exploring the process of growing up. Through the idea of needing both strong roots and the freedom to fly, this piece reflects growth and an embrace of new beginnings. Carrying the people and places that have led me to this point, ‘Roots and Wings’ is a reminder to stay connected to our roots whilst daring to bloom, change and grow.

Lauren Gibbs (she/her)

Discipline: Aerial Straps

Other skills: Strap loops, Silks, Dance, Wall Running, Hoop

See more of Lauren →

Shewolf

Inside you are two wolves
One of the wolves is a girl
And the other wolf has been told to smile

Rachel Bea Raynes

Discipline: Rope

Other skills: Doubles & Flying Trapeze, Silks, Group Acro & other Aerials

See more of Rachel →

CROW

An angel carries the sad and strange load that is grief. She takes flight with the remnants of death for “Grief is the thing with feathers”.

Rosa Fox (she/her)

Discipline: Aerial Hoop

Other skills: Dance, Fire

See more of Rosa →

Lost In Dreams

Barefoot on warm twilight sand, a dreamer steps into the unknown – guided by memory, sensation, and imagination.
Inspired by a bedtime story, Lost in Dreams depicts a magical journey through sunset beaches, starry skies, and whispering woods.
Drawing from Leah’s unique neurodivergent perspective, Lost in Dreams celebrates all those who are “away with the fairies” with their “heads in the clouds.”

Leah Cash (she/her)

Discipline: Cyr Wheel, Aerial Cyr Wheel

Other skills: Aerial Hoop, Straps, Silks, Rope, Trapeze, Pole, Hand Balancing, Hand to Hand, Acrobatics, Vertical Dance

See more of Leah →

The Daughters of Athens

One of six sisters was stolen away and taken to another country all alone. This lonely sister is one of the Caryatids, a family of statues that once held up the Erechtheion, a Greek temple dedicated to their gods Athena and Poseidon.

Alex Kyriacou (she/her)

Discipline: Aerial Pole

Other skills: Pole, Silks, Hoop, Double Hoop, Contortion

See more of Alex →

Introspection

Sorting through these parts of myself
What feels like me, what doesn’t

 

What are we an accumulation of?
Who are we? Will we ever know
Or is it ever changing

Vida Blenkhorn (she/her)

Discipline: Aerial Silks

Other skills: Aerial skills, Partner Acrobatics, Juggling, and Unicycling

See more of Vida →

Heaven's Outcast

It’s better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.

Rhiannon Murphy

Discipline: Chinese Pole

Other Skills: Dance, Acrobatics, Silks, Hoop, Fire Spinning/Dancing, Rigging

See more of Rhiannon →

Mayday Mayday

.– . / …. .- …- . / -.-. .-. .- … …. / .-.. .- -. -.. . -..

Macy Fenwick

Discipline: Cyr Wheel

Other skills: Acrobatics, Teeter Board, Trampoline, and Dance

See more of Macy →

I Feel Like Dancing

LET’S DANCE!
You don’t feel like it?
Well, that’s too bad because I do, and I don’t care what you think of my awesome moves.
Once you see them, you’ll be on your feet grooving to the beat.
Who cares if you look silly? It’s all about having fun!
So, dance like nobody is watching, even if everyone is.
An homage to all the dancing that our year has done during our time here at NCCA, during class, in the hallways, on stage, everywhere- this piece is our chance for one last boogie. I hope you’ll get up and join us.
This performance is dedicated to my good friend Iris Adams. I hope you’re dancing along, wherever you may be.

Katie Jenkins (she/they)

Discipline: Single Point Trapeze

Other skills: Group Acrobatics, Aerial Hoop, Wall Running, and Musical Theatre

See more of Katie →

Come What May

I chose this piece because it reminds me why I love to perform. It represents learning to dance for myself, finding joy in what I do, and believing in my own abilities. As one chapter of my life comes to an end, this performance is my way of embracing the future with hope and trust – ‘come what may’.

Amelia Rosier-Denton (she/her)

Discipline: Aerial Hoop

Other skills: Acrobatics and Dance

See more of Amelia →

Triple20

We are men and we stand up in the pub.

Niamh Mason-Butcher (she/her)

Discipline: Aerial Straps

Other skills: Aerial Skills, Handstands

See more of Niamh →

Reaching the Blood Moon

A women body suspended between earth and sky traces the ancient rhythm shared by moon and blood, tide and breath. Through each lunar phase, the pole becomes an axis of transformation. Each ascent, spiral, and fall echoes the cyclical landscape of the menstrual journey—creation and release, strength and softness, expansion and return. The moon does not strive to remain full, nor does it fear the dark. It changes, endlessly, and remains whole.
This piece is an ode to that rhythm: a celebration of the body as a celestial force, forever moving through phases of becoming.

Walleska Moran Espinosa (she/her)

Discipline: Aerial Pole

Other skills: Chinese Pole and Pole Dancing

See more of Walleska →

By Chance

It’s by chance that we all end up where we do. No one can control what the world throws at them, but what we can control is how we choose to face it. In the words of Paul McCartney: “You’ve got to believe in yourself… it really is true.”

Tamsin Bowles (she/her)

Discipline: Aerial Hoop

Other skills: Silks, Dance Trapeze, Lollipop Hoop, Hammock Silk, Acro, Juggling

See more of Tamsin →

The Celebration of Becoming

The party isn’t an event – it’s a state of being.
This Handbalancing piece celebrates who we have become throughout our journey.

Millie Grace (she/her)

Discipline: Hand balancing

Other skills: Aerial straps/loops, Aerial hoop, Acrobatics, and Dance

See more of Millie →

Crew

Adrian Porter – Producer & Creative Lead
Joe O’Neill – Producer & Production Lead
Cory Duffill – Senior Technical Manager
Alex Musgrave – Lighting Designer
Ollie Brennan – Sound Designer
Azona Warshaw  – Stage Manager On Book
Francesca Wolff – Assistant Stage Manager
Gareth Morgan – Production Electrician & Show Crew
Matthew Burch  – Stage Crew for Tech & Performances
Toffy Paulweber – Stage Crew 25/06/2026
Kelsey Bell – Stage Crew Rehearsals 15/06 – 18/06
Mark Morreau – Videographer

We’ve always been passionate about ensuring our students have high-quality opportunities to perform their work and donations have helped us continue to produce these shows. But, as with many producing theatres in recent times, the cost of delivery has rapidly increased, and it now costs us roughly £100,000 every year to put on our student productions.

Please consider making a donation today and help support this hugely important part of the learning journey.

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