Aerial Cube Duo: More than just pretty faces…
The Aerial Cube duo of Ashley Meyer (17) and Lily Hollatz (15) are performing their first original piece this Saturday evening at Open Grip. (Performance information is at the bottom of this post.) These two are certainly not your everyday “girls posing on an apparatus”. The Aerial Cube piece they crafted themselves combines strength, dynamics, and stage combat grappling…an interesting combination on an aerial apparatus. They are both “beasts” in the air…and completely quirky in the rest of their lives.
Each of them took some time out of their crazy training schedule to talk about their circus lives. The interview below gives you an idea of their intense dedication to the circus arts.
Monkey Wrangler: What do you do at home to help you with your circus training?
Ashley: I have a pull-up bar so I can condition at home. I also stretch everyday either at the gym or at home.
Lily: I stretch and condition at home. Also, I’m in a yoga class in my school so I’m active everyday at the end of my school day which I think benefits me greatly.
MW: What do you find the most challenging about circus training?
Ashley: Motivating yourself when you’re exhausted.
Lily: The time requirement. There’s been many times I’ve wanted to do other things on a weekend, like hang out with my friends, but often I have to train instead. It’s worth it though.
MW: What is your proudest moment with the AKmē Instant Circus Company?
Ashley: My proudest moment was performing this past year in Las Vegas!
Lily: My proudest moment was when I got to perform my solo I created. The coaches all seemed to really enjoy it and complimented me on it a lot. I felt really good about something I did for the first time.
MW: What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Ashley: “The Ultimate Screw-Up Does Something Right with her Life!”
Lily: I would name it “The Modern-Day Circus.” I assume and really hope circus will continue to be a big part of my life.
MW: If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose and why?
Ashley: I would be Peter Pan so I could fly and I’d never have to grow up.
Lily: I would be Totoro. I feel like it’d be fun to live in the woods.
MW: What is something you learned in the last week?
Ashley: I can do anything I want with my life and my dreams aren’t crazy.
Lily: I learned that my best friend’s water bottles have really been filled with orange juice this whole time.
MW: What advice do you have for kids who are struggling with a skill or an apparatus at Akrosphere?
Ashley: Keep working! You get out what you put in!
Lily: Don’t give up, keep working. You’ll get there eventually, but it takes time. Just keep trying and putting in the time needed to get stronger mentally and physically.
MW: What do you think about when you’re alone?
Ashley: My dreams and the work I have to put in to achieve them.
Lily: I think about life. And food.
MW: What do you work toward in your free time?
Ashley: I want to be an amazing unicycler and juggler
Lily: I work toward bettering my attitude and outlook of life. I work toward learning more about the world around me.
MW: A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?
Ashley: “This is your future. Look long and hard.” (He is me from the future.)
Lily: “Hola. I’m here to deliver justice.”
You can catch Ashley and Lily performing in OPEN GRIP this Saturday, September 22nd at 8pm. (Show runs 1 hour.)
Open Grip is at The Space Atlanta, 4620-A S Atlanta Rd SE, Atlanta, GA, 30339
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1834519189972116/
Tickets are $5 online / $8 at the door.
Ticket link: https://squareup.com/store/nicolette-emanuelle/item/open-grip-xii