From our Founder and Director:
This morning, I had the joy of teaching a contemporary dance and aerial silks class to some of our Clara’s Trip performers and faculty. I meant to capture some video of the spectacular energy in the room, but I was so immersed in the moment that I completely forgot—hence the messy hair and faded makeup!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined the class today. It felt so good to move and to be reminded of the gratitude I have for the ability to dance, both on the floor and in the air.
And another shout out to our Clara’s Trip production team. You are AMAZING! Thank you.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving!
#Gratitude #ClarasTrip #DanceAndAerial #ThanksgivingVibes #KeepMoving
The @cltcirquedancenter student performers are preparing a treat for your experience at Clara’s Trip this year. 🍭
In our version of The Nutcracker we have monkeys on a triple trapeze. This scene is an audience favorite each year.
Dec. 20-22: Raleigh
Dec. 27-29: Charlotte
🎟️ 10% off tickets – Don’t miss out! Use the promo code and get yours today (link in bio).
#ClarasTrip #MeetTheCast #KimMelohn #FishRole #DanceAndCircus #CharlotteArts #RaleighEvents #HolidayShow #clarastrip #cltarts #ncarts #cltevents #nutcracker #cltnutcracker #cltart #cltarts #ncarts #raleighsrts #cltguide #cltiscreative
🐟 Kim Melohn Returns to Clara’s Trip as a Fish! 🐟
Kim Melohn is back in Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story, swimming gracefully into the role of Fish once again. Her return is a testament to her talent and versatility – it’s as if this role was meant for her!
Kim is a multi-disciplinary circus performer and coach who specializes in contortion and vertical apparatus, bending gravity to her will. Her circus journey began in 2014 when she discovered aerial fabric and hasn’t come down since! She trained extensively at Aloft Circus Arts in Chicago, working with incredible coaches like Hayley Larson, Natalie Abel, and Julie Marshall. In 2021, she took her craft to the next level by training full-time at the New England Center for Circus Arts, shifting her focus to contortion under the guidance of Stephanie Abrams.
🗓 Catch Kim back in action:
Dec. 20-22: Raleigh
Dec. 27-29: Charlotte
🎟️ 20% off tickets – Don’t miss out! Use the promo code and get yours today (link in bio).
#ClarasTrip #MeetTheCast #KimMelohn #FishRole #DanceAndCircus #CharlotteArts #RaleighEvents #HolidayShow #clarastrip #cltarts #ncarts #cltevents #nutcracker #cltnutcracker
Meet Andrew Dransfield – Beau
Andrew Dransfield joins Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story as Beau, bringing over 15 years of performance experience to the stage. Starting as a breakdancer, Andrew’s passion for movement led him through parkour, tricking, and into circus arts like Trampwall, Russian Swing, Chinese Pole, and Sway Pole. Eventually, he found his true calling in aerial arts – finally giving him permission to hang from anything he wants!
Andrew’s performed with top entertainment companies, amusement parks, and most recently with Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show and Dolly Parton’s Stampede. His incredible mix of skills promises an unforgettable performance!
🗓 Catch Andrew in action:
Dec. 20-22: Raleigh
Dec. 27-29: Charlotte
🎟️ 20% off tickets UNTIL NOVEMBER 15 – Use the promo code and get yours now (link in bio).
#ClarasTrip #MeetTheCast #AndrewDransfield #Beau #DanceAndCircus #AerialArts #CharlotteArts #RaleighEvents #HolidayShow #clarastrip #cltarts #ncarts #cltevents #nutcracker #cltnutcracker
Making his Clara’s Trip debut, Russell Woo joins us as Mr. Gingerbread! Originally from Texas, Russell is a talented dancer, aerialist, and musician who studied at the Royal Academy in London. He’s graced iconic stages like the Apollo Victoria, Wembley Arena, Wigmore Hall, and the Royal Albert Hall. Since returning to the U.S. in 2014, Russell has dedicated himself to performing, training, and coaching across multiple disciplines, from contemporary and jazz dance to aerial arts and acrobatics.
Beyond performing, Russell is the visionary behind Piano in the Sky – a stunning apparatus combining music and aerial artistry on a suspended piano. 🎶 When he’s not on stage, he also works on projects supporting corporate digital strategy and international development.
🗓 See Russell bring Mr. Gingerbread to life:
Dec. 20-22: Raleigh
Dec. 27-29: Charlotte
🎟️ 20% off tickets – Use the promo code and get yours now (link in bio)!
#ClarasTrip #MeetTheCast #RussellWoo #MrGingerbread #CirqueAndDance #AerialArts #CharlotteArts #RaleighEvents #HolidayMagic #clarastrip #cltarts #ncarts #cltevents #nutcracker #cltnutcracker
Meet Ashley Carter – Our Mrs. Gingerbread!
We’re thrilled to have Ashley Carter back, performing as Mrs. Gingerbread in Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story!
Ashley first graced our stage in 2021 with stunning performances in Animalia and Random Acts of Kindness. Onstage, she’s a firecracker; offstage, she’s a thoughtful, warm soul.
Ashley is an accomplished dancer, teacher, and choreographer with extensive training in New York and a diverse background in ballet, lyrical, modern, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, and musical theatre. She has performed and choreographed at prestigious venues like Jacob’s Pillow, Teatro Madrid, Battery Dance Festival, and NYC’s SummerStage. Currently, she’s on the faculty at Ballet Academy East and Ellison Ballet, and her teaching has taken her worldwide!
Her choreography credits include co-directing DoubleTake Dance, performing at City Parks Summerstage and Battery Dance Festival, and collaborating with artists like Ricky Martin, Nicki Minaj, and NeYo. You may have also seen her work in commercials for Nike, Microsoft, and Lush Cosmetics! 🎬
🗓 Catch Ashley’s spicy performance:
Dec. 20-22: Raleigh
Dec. 27-29: Charlotte
🎟️ 20% off tickets – Use the promo code and grab yours now (link in bio)!
#ClarasTrip #MeetTheCast #AshleyCarter #DancerAndChoreographer #MrsGingerbread #CirqueAndDance #CharlotteArts #RaleighEvents #HolidayShow #clarastrip #cltarts #ncarts #cltevents #nutcracker #cltnutcracker
We’re excited to welcome back Javier Gonzalez for his seventh year in Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story. This year, he shines as a Party Goer in Act 1, takes the stage as Dr. Javy in the Hospital Scene (this is him as Nurse Javy in 2019 😂), and dazzles as an Aerial Flower in Act 2. 🌸
Javier has performed in Clara’s Trip for the past six years in various roles, including Beau and Candy Cane. His dance journey began in 2008, studying hip-hop and Latin styles, later joining Ballet Folclórico de las Americas and LeColours Latino Dance. From 2010-2015, he was the principal dancer for CPCC Dance Theater’s modern department and has also danced with ECHO Contemporary Dance and the Moving Poets of Charlotte.
As a backup dancer, Javier has performed with Latin artists like Las Fenix, Jorge Celedon, and former Miss Universe Alicia Machado. On the side, he enjoys teaching Latin dance to girls preparing for their quinceañeras. When he’s not performing, Javier manages Brixx Pizza in Fort Mill, SC.
🗓 See him live:
Dec. 20-22: Raleigh
Dec. 27-29: Charlotte
🎟️ 20% off tickets – Use the promo code and get yours today (link in bio)!
#ClarasTrip #MeetTheCast #JavierGonzalez #DanceAndCirque #AerialPerformer
#CharlotteArts #RaleighEvents #HolidayMagic #clarastrip #cltarts #ncarts #cltevents #nutcracker #cltnutcracker
Meet Rachel Nesnevich! ✨🎪
She is performing the role of Bracelet.
Rachel is an incredible aerialist, hula hooper, dancer, and lifelong performer, bringing her unique blend of dance and circus to stages around the world! 🌍 She has performed internationally and across the U.S., but you’ll often find her moving and grooving in Chicago, IL. Currently, she’s a cast member in Brave Space directed by Shayna Swanson and has graced festivals like Montréal Complètement Cirque, Edinburgh Fringe, Circusstad Festival, and more!
Rachel began her dance journey at just four years old, and her passion for performing has only grown since. At Oberlin College, she discovered circus arts, which led her to perform with Aerial Dance Chicago and graduate from Aloft Circus Arts’ Full Time Professional Training program.
🗓 Catch her in Clara’s Trip:
• Dec. 20-22: Raleigh
• Dec. 27-29: Charlotte
🎟️ 20% off tickets – Use the promo code and grab yours now (link in bio)!
#ClarasTrip #MeetTheCast #RachelNesnevich #Aerialist #HulaHoopArtist #CirqueAndDance #Cltarts #ncarts #cltevents #charlotteholidays #nccircus #ccaloucheandco
We’re excited to Kaila Rhyne perform the role of Ballerina in Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story! Kaila first performed this role in 2016, marking her debut with Caroline Calouche & Co. She’s also wowed audiences as Bracelet and Mrs. Candy Cane in past performances.
🗓 Dates:
Dec. 20-22: Raleigh
Dec. 27-29: Charlotte
🎟️ 20% off tickets – Use promo code and get yours today (link in bio)!
Come experience the magic of the season with this beautiful blend of dance and circus!
#ClarasTrip #CirqueAndDance #Nutcracker #HolidayShow #KailaRhyne #CharlotteArts #RaleighEvents #holidaymagic #cltevents #cltnc #ccaloucheandco #clarastrip
Exciting News!
We are thrilled to announce that Sarah Harrison is returning to the stage as Clara in this year’s Clara’s Trip!✨ Sarah first brought Clara to life in 2022 and we can’t wait to see her shine again.
With a BFA in Dance Performance from Towson University and a passion for aerial dance sparked by Jayne Bernasconi’s low-flying trapeze class, Sarah has had an incredible journey in both dance and circus. Since 2016, she has been an integral part of our company as a performer and teacher. Sarah has worked with amazing companies like DEVIATED THEATER, Baltimore Aerial Dance, and most recently toured with The Mysterious Circus.
Get ready for a magical performance as Sarah brings her energy, grace, and passion back to Clara’s Trip! 💫🎄
Show dates in Raleigh and Charlotte.
Link in bio for details.
#ClarasTrip #SarahHarrison #CCDC #DanceAndCircus #AerialDance #HolidayMagic #ClaraReturns #circus #dance #clarastrip #cltevents
Backstage to Onstage
Youth from our school, @cltcirquedancenter, are already learning the professional choreography on their own while waiting to go on for our silly, minion-like Nightmare scene in Clara’s Trip. #socute
Caroline is in her finale stages of selecting the performers for this season. Stay tuned for the announcement in early September.
#clarastrip #nutcracker #ccaloucheandco #dance
Maybe some thoughts of snow will keep us cool?
Clara’s Trip will be performed in 2 cities this year!
December 20-22 Raleigh
December 27-30 Charlotte
Tickets will be on sale soon.
Performer job application closes July 19.
Stay cool!
#ccaloucheandco #cltarts #raleigharts #ncarts #ncdance #cltdance #clarastrip
