Womack and Bowman and American Horror Story

A haunting love affair

 

Brett on a poster for AHS 'Hotel'

If you have driven down the ninety freeway in West Los Angeles this week, or along La Brea Avenue in Hollywood or Laurel Canyon Boulevard in The San Fernando Valley, you have probably seen the gorgeously spooky new commercials for American Horror Story 'Hotel' starring Brett Womack and Rachel Bowman. The compelling images feature Brett as a tortured drag queen, trapped in what appears to be a carnivorous vintage bed and Rachel in a painfully contorted back bend clawing desperately towards the heavens. The riveting images appear on dozens of billboards, bus stops, buses and buildings throughout the city, promoting the new season of the series that premieres October 7^th on FX.

Rachel on a billboard for AHS 'Hotel'

This is not the first time that Brett and Rachel have been featured in the promotional campaign for American Horror Story, in fact it is Rachel’s second and Brett’s fourth! Back in 2011 when the series premiered, Brett was hired to portray the freakishly bendy ‘Rubber Man’ for the print campaign and even toured the character across the USA in an interactive promotional campaign for the show.

Brett as 'Rubber Man' in AHS 'Murder House'

In 2012 Brett was again hired by FX, this time in more of an ensemble role behind Jessica Laing for American Horror Story 'Asylum.'

Brett as an Asylum patient in AHS 'Asylum'

In 2014 the series took place at a "Freak show" and FX Productions took their promotional campaign to a whole knew level of scary; Cue the carny folk! The vice president of production and special projects for FX hired Brett directly, and asked him to recommend a ‘freaky’ female aerialist to work alongside him. The duo were featured both in print (billboards, bus stops etc.) and in broadcast (TV, internet), Rachel as a three legged Aerial Hoop artist and Brett as the Trapeze wheeling killer clown ‘Twisty.' 

Rachel as a three legged Aerialist in AHS 'Freak show' print campaign

A still shot from AHS 'Freak show' teaser with Brett as 'Twisty'

Womack and Bowman perform at the AHS 'Freak show' premiere

The American Horror Story ‘Freak show’ campaign was a huge success breaking FX records and bringing in an audience of over 10 million viewers for the season premiere! The FX production team was so impressed with Brett and Rachel’s performances in the campaign that they hired the duo to perform at the shows LA premiere event and even scheduled their wrap party to coincide with an existing Womack and Bowman performance!

Behind the scenes of AHS 'Hotel' print campaign

When I asked Brett why he thinks that American Horror Story continues to feature the duo in their promotional campaigns he responded shyly. “Well, they (FX casting) think we are very expressive, I guess that comes from all the years of performing aggressive aerial acts! The Vice President of production told me that she could hire thirty models but that none of them could do what the two of us can do.”

From the looks of these images, that definitely appears to be the case. Here’s hoping that this campaign does as well as the last and that Womack and Bowman return to decorate Los Angeles again next year in their hauntingly beautiful, acrobatic glory.

Where students become artists: 'Behind closed doors'

Behind closed doors

An evening of Aerial Dance

Saturday August 29th 2015

One night. Two sold out shows.  Thirty five performers. Eight breathtaking acts. 

On a recent steamy August evening, thirty five courageous woman and men, ranging in age from sixteen to sixty, gathered together on the mezzanine level of a large live/work style loft studio in North Hollywood. They were dressed to kill, some in matching nude lingerie inspired consumes, others in bright 80's themed tights, still others in black fishnets and sparkly leotards, Cabaret style. Hair was big and bold and makeup was immaculate. In the semi darkness they silently limbered up, sliding into the splits and arching into deep backbends. 'Did they open the doors?' whispered one young woman anxiously to her friend, "I hope my boyfriend was able to get in!" The doors in fact were open and the audience was filtering into the Bohemian style wonderland, anticipation building as they rushed to claim a much sought after seat to what was sure to be a spectacular show! 

Student performers: Lydia Morgan, Alexandra Cohn, Art Voskanian, Minda Ruggles, Caroline Ma, Maia Berneman, Renee Ransom, Amy Heidish

Performer: Lena Fumi

The performers were all students at Womack and Bowman - The Loft, studying Aerial Art, Contortion, Acrobatics and Dance with some of the most reputed teachers in the country. For a number of these students, this was their first time performing in front of an audience and one of the most nerve wracking experiences of their lives! Screenwriter Amy Heidish never imagined she would  perform Aerial in front of anyone, she began taking classes at The Loft purely for fun and fitness and ended up winning the 'Most improved student award' after her incredible performance.

"Thank you, Brett. Thank you, Rachel, and all my fellow Lofties, for continually challenging me to be better than I think I can be, and for enduring my occasional swearing fits while hanging upside down. You all rock my world!" 

- Amy Heidish

Student performers: Jodi Gonzalez, Caroline Ma, Rachel Carlson, Kira Schwartz, Christine Anderson, Hazuki Fujimoto

Student performers: Zuri Bella, Rachel Carlson, Curtis Hansen, Charlie Knudson, Judy Lai, Catherine Petretti, Kira Schwartz, Ron Zambot

Every student, regardless of experience, was exceptional that night. They were utterly immersed in their character, combining high level tricks with artistry and intention, doing great justice to the choreography of their teachers (who were all professional Aerial choreographers) and communicating  with the audience in profound ways.

Student performers: Morgan Gerhardt, Lena Fumi

student performer: Lydia Morgan

The cast of 'Behind closed doors'

If you missed the live experience of 'Behind closed doors' be sure to check out the videos on YouTube and stay tuned to all things Womack and Bowman to secure your ticket to their next event!

Womack and Bowman - The Loft

 Where artists are born

Silkstreme FLASH SALE!

Hi there!

We hope you are enjoying a most excellent start to your summer! Here at Womack and Bowman - The Loft we are dedicated to your health and happiness, that is why we created Silkstreme, our innovative fitness movement! If you haven't had a chance to try this energizing fusion class yet (think Pilates, meets Barre, meets Aerial at a music festival!) NOW is your time!

        From now until Friday when you purchase 5 Silkstreme classes you get 5 FREE! Don't miss this opportunity to experience Silkstreme and find out what everyones talking about! www.silkstreme.com

 "(Silkstreme) has been awesome! As a flexible person it has really helped me work on my lower abs to keep a clean line while working out and stop my back from arching! Also, the strength in my upper body has gotten better and really helped me work on the correct alignment and building the little muscles that count for Aerial" - Kelsie Koziol (professional dancer/aerialist)

Kelsie Koziol enjoying a post Silkstreme hamstring stretch

"Silkstreme classes are amazing!!!! My body sees  the difference, and FAST!" - Cati Jean (Director/Choreographer)

Cati Jean and friend in Silkstreme class

"I really enjoyed my (Silkstreme) class with Kerry! It was so unique and different. I have tried tons of fitness classes in LA and there is nothing like it!" - Skyler Vallo (actress/model)

Skyler Vallo practicing her inverted straddle in Silkstreme class

Pick up your Silkstreme FLASH SALE pack today at www.silkstreme.com

Silkstreme fitness

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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

Small Biz Saturday/Cyber Monday BurnFree Onesie Sale!!!

The Womack and Bowman BurnFree Onesie is two weeks old today!! Yay!! Of course today also happens to be Black Friday, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday and then skip ahead a day and it's Cyber Monday. Phew! There is so much to celebrate that we decided to hold a special weekend sale! From midnight tonight (Friday) until midnight on Monday get $10 off your Womack and Bowman BurnFree Onesie! Thats right, this weekend only get your Womack and Bowman BurnFree Sleeveless Onesie as well as the BunfFree Unisex Onesie for only $69.95!! Swing buy our website to  purchase yours! www.womackandbowman.com/store

The gorgeous Katrina Amerine rocking her BurnFree Onesie with sleeves at Womack and Bowman - The fashion Show

Believe Fitness studios Ashley Lawlor working out in a Womack and Bowman BurnFree unisex Onesie

Las Vegas Aerialist Sarah Romanowsky giving a fierce over spit in a Womack and Bowman BurnFree Woman's Onesie with sleeves!

Keep flying and remember to stay BurnFree!! ;)

Best wishes,

                                     Rachel & Brett

             www.womackandbowman.com

F: /womackandbowman

  T: @womackandbowman

Womack and Bowman - The Fashion Show

Thank you everyone who came out to support our first Fashion Show last weekend! We were so honored to have you with us in celebration of the launch of the Womack and Bowman BurnFree Aerial work out Onesie collection! For those of you unable to attend, it was a magical evening filled with Art, Dance, Aerial, Circus, Music and Fashion. As well as celebrating Art in all it's many forms we also managed to raise almost $800 for My Friends Place, a Hollywood homeless youth community center, through our silent auction! Thank you so much for your support!

Womack and Bowman on the red carpet 

Here are some pictures of the event captured by photographers Charles Ferarri, Mike Brand and Jarrod Simonetto

Cirque Du Soleil's Sita Acedevo 

The audience arrives

Meredith Ostrowsky surveying the crowd

Katrina Amerine in the BurnFree Onesie with sleeves

Womack and Bowman

Sita in the BurnFree Onesie sleeveless

For more images from Womack and Bowman - The Fashion Show, check out this fun montage!

Thank you for stopping by!

Dont forget to pick up your BurnFree Onesie from our website www.womackandbowman.com/store  Woman's and Unisex versions now available!


Best wishes,
 
                                                Brett and Rachel  xo