Welcome to the Elevate Pro Aerial Competition, hosted by the Dragonfly Aerial Company in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Event Dates: Thursday, July 10th-Sunday, July 13th, 2025
Elevate judges are working industry professionals in a position to hire/request specific artists or place artists in current productions. This year we anticipate hosting Pro-Show judges from Aida, Celebrity and Carnival Cruise Lines as well as RWS Global. We anticipate returning competition judges, Destiny Vinley- Aerial Supervisor for Celebrity Cruise lines, Connor Dealy-Aerial Supervisor for Carnival Cruise Lines, Tanya Burka and potentially Erica Linz, both of Cirque du Soleil. Competition judges will evaluate Elevate performances on criteria such as creativity, technique, and difficulty while also looking for artists who are marketable, malleable, commercial but also unique. These artists will roll over to the Pro-Show where we are looking for artists that can fill specific positions in current productions and/or future projects. Artists must be able to assimilate with a cast, be a reliable partner but also be able to stand out as a headliner.
Knotted N’ Art. 2nd Place winners
Elevate judges are working industry professionals in a position to hire/request specific artists or place artists in current productions. This year we will be hosting judges from Celebrity Cruises Casting, Aida Cruises, Stations Casino’s, Tanya Burka and more! Judges will evaluate Elevate competitor performances on criteria such as creativity, technique, and difficulty while also looking for artists who are marketable, malleable, commercial but also unique. We are looking for artists that can fill specific positions in current productions and/or future projects. Artists must be able to assimilate with a cast, be a reliable partner but also be able to stand out as a headliner.
Due to the nature of this professional showcase, we do not have a student or novice category and all competitors must have a minimum level of skill pre-requisites in order to participate. We have also requested specific guidelines from each organization on what they are currently looking for, for their current productions. Therefore, competitors may be asked to participate in additional placement call backs and or categories (such as movement or additional apparatus.) Think of the Elevate competition as an audition and the Elevate pro-show as the call backs. Although we do not guarantee any of our artist competitors contract placement, it is our goal to provide the best opportunity for talented and dedicated artists to receive a large and diverse pool of professional exposure in one place.
Elevate registration will be limited to 50 slots. Applicants will be required to submit a short video or reel (under 3 min.) upon registration to confirm eligibility.
Registration Opens January 1, 2025!
Tentative Schedule:
Thursday, July 10th, 8am-6pm: Open Gyms, Winch Rehearsal Slots, Lectures & Workshops
Friday, July 11th, 10am-6pm: Tech Rehearsals & Competitions
Friday, July 11th, 6-7:30pm Welcome, Information & Industry Meet & Greet
Saturday, July 12th, 10:30-5pm Competitions
Saturday, July 12th, 7-8:30, Pro Showcase
Sunday, July 13th, 9-12, Workshops & Lectures
