Womack and Bowman - The Loft
The Art of 'winging it'
Three months ago Brett and I opened an Aerial Studio. Only, we didn't actually know we were opening a studio... Naive as it sounds, we really just wanted a place to train our Aerial acts, free from distractions and scheduling conflict with other Aerialists. We also thought it would be cool to have a place to store our line of BurnFree Onesies. I found the NoHo Live/Work Lofts on Craigslist (where else?) and was intrigued. Twenty five foot ceilings? Cement floors with exposed brick? Ample parking? How was this possible in North Hollywood? Downtown LA I could understand (except the parking part) but NoHo? So I went to scope it out, fell in love, somehow managed to convinced Brett we could afford the rent if we taught a few classes...and The Loft was born!
The first week we had five classes on the schedule, at the sixth week mark we had ten, at eight weeks we introduced open workout hours for advanced students and by the end of June we will have fourteen classes on our schedule that include Aerial Silks, Rope, Trapeze, Contortion, Aerial Fitness, Yoga and Acting plus open training hours!
Bet you're wondering what changed? Why all the additional classes? Why not stay small and safe and non-threatening to other more business minded studios? (no business degrees here people!) Well, if you really want to know.... It's because of you. Yep. You. If your reading this you probably have some kind of association with us, through a connection on Facebook, or perhaps from The Edison (where we perform every Friday), or through our workshops, or Instagram/Twitter/Pinterest posts, or, more then likely through our face to face meetings at The Loft. The support we have received since opening The Loft has been nothing short of incredible! Every student whether absolute beginner or seasoned professional that has walked through our doors has inspired us in some way. Your willingness to push your own personal boundaries and adhere to our unconventional teaching methods (we call it 'performance technique!) The words of encouragement you direct to your fellow students as they attempt to master a new trick, your online sharing and reposting of new skills and class epiphanies, your being brave enough to try a new apparatus such as Rope or Dance Trapeze when you have only ever done Silks as well as your thoughtful, end-of-class performance song requests. Its all these things and more that have encouraged us to pour our hearts and souls into developing The Loft into a community space dedicated to self-expression in the Air and on the ground. Inspired by our students and the encouragement we have received from them as well as the Circus and Aerial community in general we will continue to cultivate a safe haven for the artist in everyone. Thank you for your contribution and support of our ever evolving dreams. We look forward to cheering you on in the pursuit of your own personal goals and hope to see you in the air soon!
Much love,
Rachel (and Brett)
AKA Womack and Bowman
www.womackandbowman.com/loft
T: @womackandbowman
F: www.facebook/womackandbowman
