How to make a living as an Aerial Artist in Los Angeles

So this is our first blog. We thought we would begin by exploring the topic of work. Working as a freelance Aerial Artist in Los Angeles can be tough, and the scene can be difficult to navigate for a newcomer.

As the duo Womack and Bowman we are lucky enough to have a residency at the beautiful lounge, The Edison Downtown. We perform four acts here every Friday night. We chose our own music, choreography and costuming, mixing and matching our performances to keep things fresh and interesting. We also perform regularly at The King King nightclub and The Supperclub (dinner show) as well as numerous special events and private parties around town.

We have discovered that a really important factor in working consistently as Aerialists in Los Angeles is (no surprise here) you have to look good. Yep. Sorry kids. You may be the best static trapeze artist to ever come out of the San Francisco Circus Center but if you look like Melissa Mcarthy on a bad hair day you just aint gonna make the cut. We are not saying you have to be model material, or even the best looking person in the room, its all about PRESENTATION. As an Aerialist you are most likely in excellent shape (if not..are you even training? Well train harder!) So now its time to invest in some costumes that show off that great shape! A little cleavage here, a little midriff there... Get comfortable showing some skin, believe us - it will help get you the job before WHAM! your talent explodes all up in the audiences faces and they cant even remember what you were wearing, only how insanely awesome you were!

Which leads us to - On the job performance. Once you've booked the gig off your gorgeous headshot/costuming/reference/friend of the guy you used to date...(what?) Its time to ensure job stability by being the most professional Aerialist you can be.

. Be on TIME (traffic is not an excuse)
. Be nice to your rigger ( he/she is responsible for your life and if thats not enough, the client usually trusts their opinion so be the one he recommends!
. Know your music (even if you were just given it the night before)
. Know your act (seems obvious but your rigger may need to see it in 'stages' so know it back to front and inside out)
. Look amazing :) (did we say that already?)

Lastly, dont work for less then you are worth. Remember, the people that hire you in this town are business men and woman. They are going to try to get you for cheap. Don't let them. Not only are you doing yourself a disservice, you are bringing the entire industry down with you. We have all done it at some stage in our careers, worked for less then we know we are worth - just remember the hours you have put into perfecting your art and know that you are worthy of making a good living at this, even if is your passion.

Good luck. Keep training. Be fierce!!

Love,
       Womack and Bowman

www.womackandbowman.com