March Monthly Meeting
March Monthly Meeting Recap: Aerial, Stilt Walking, and Upcoming Excitement!
Our March Monthly Meeting was a fantastic and inspiring event! We were thrilled to welcome special guest Emily Astroski, who shared her journey as an Aerial and Stilt Performer. Emily's presentation was both captivating and insightful, as she took us through her experiences and the lessons she’s learned while building a unique and exciting career in performance arts.
Aerial and Stilt Walking: Emily's Journey
Emily kicked things off by sharing her relatively recent journey into aerial performance. Only a few years ago, she attended workshops at Cirque Indy and Suspended Animation Aerial here in Indianapolis, where she discovered her love for aerial arts. She encouraged everyone to explore the various workshops and classes available in the city. There are always opportunities to try something new, whether it’s aerial silks, trapeze, or other circus arts.
Then, Emily switched gears and told us about how she got involved in stilt walking just two years ago. After attending a workshop hosted by OddOT's Entertainment, she landed a job as a stilt performer and character at the Indianapolis Zoo, where she eventually met Amanda. Through stilt walking, Emily has not only had the opportunity to perform at various events but has also started picking up freelance gigs alongside her teaching job at Plainfield High School, where she teaches English and Theatre.
The Freelance Performer Life: Negotiating, Contracts, and Costumes
Emily's journey hasn’t just been about the performance. She shared valuable insights into the business side of being a freelance performer. From negotiating contracts to working with clients, Emily emphasized the importance of knowing your worth and standing up for yourself. She stressed that it’s crucial to recognize the value of your time and talents, as performers put in significant effort to perfect their craft.
One of her key quotes that resonated with everyone was: “Know your worth and know your value.” It’s a reminder that we all deserve to be compensated fairly for our hard work, and we should never be afraid to advocate for ourselves in a professional setting. Emily also talked about the importance of teamwork, with her mom helping her design and create costumes to bring her characters to life.
After her talk, Emily gave everyone the opportunity to try on the stilts for themselves! Some students took their first steps, while others enjoyed balancing and striking a pose for a picture. It was a fun and interactive way to end her presentation, and we were all so grateful to have had Emily with us to share her experiences.
Upcoming Events and Announcements
After Emily's inspiring talk, our student officers took over to share some exciting upcoming events and opportunities for members to get involved.
Skate Night: Friday, March 21 (6-9 p.m. at Roller Cave)
Get ready for some roller skating fun at Roller Cave! It’s a great way to hang out with friends and members of IDC. We can’t wait to see you there!3v3 Basketball Tournament: Sunday, April 27
We're gearing up for our first fundraising event of 2025, a 3v3 basketball tournament! We’re asking each member of IDC to find a team of 3 players to sign up. It’s $100 per team, and all funds raised will go towards our 2025 season. There will be prizes, so don’t miss out on this fun-filled day of competition and community. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks!IndyFringe 20th Anniversary
Exciting news! IDC has been selected to participate in the 20th Anniversary of IndyFringe. This will be our fourth time participating, and this year, we’ll be performing The Sandbox—a parody of the 1993 summer hit movie. Auditions will be in June, with rehearsals starting in July. Be sure to mark your calendars for our April 16th meeting, where we’ll have more details about the show and auditions!May Meeting Update
Our May 21st meeting will not be at Arts for Lawrence. Instead, we’ll be gathering at Beef & Boards to see a Free Preview of The Little Mermaid! Bring your dinner and meet us at 6 p.m. for an unforgettable evening of theatre and fun. It’s sure to be a great time for all.
Stay Connected!
As always, we’re excited for what’s to come in the next few months. There’s no shortage of opportunities for fun, learning, and growing as performers and community members. Keep an eye on our social media and website for updates on our upcoming events and meetings.
We want to thank Emily Astroski once again for being our special guest and sharing her journey with us. Aerial arts and stilt walking may be just starting to get recognition here in Indianapolis, but with passionate performers like Emily, it’s clear they are on the rise!
We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming events, and don’t forget to join us for the next monthly meeting!
Upcoming Meetings & Events:
Skate Night: Friday, March 21 (6-9 p.m.) at Roller Cave
3v3 Basketball Tournament: Sunday, April 27
IndyFringe 20th Anniversary: Auditions for The Sandbox in June
May Meeting: Beef & Boards, May 21 at 6 p.m.
We hope to see you there!
Want more information about Aerial and Stilts?
Suspended Animation Aerial- https://suspendedanimationaerials.com/aerial-classes/class-pricing/
Cirque Indy- https://www.cirqueindy.com/classes
OddOT’s- https://www.oddots.com/indyzoo if you are 16 or older you can work for them. Amanda can get you connected
