A FROME teenager who is aiming to make it big in the circus world says he hopes to teach and inspire others to do the same along the way.
19-year-old Solomon Greer-Collins has been learning circus skills at Circomedia, a world-renowned centre based in Bristol, for contemporary circus and physical theatre training.
“I was homeschooled and I always used to like climbing trees and used to go to an art group, but I never really excelled in any academic fields,” explains Solomon. “I started going to silk classes just after my 13th birthday and I fell in love with that art form. It’s a combination of dance and gymnastics. You are using a lot of the qualities of dance and it’s a lot more strength and upper body based. There are some moves where you let go of the fabric and then re-capture them.
“I started working with Wookey Hole Circus Academy when I was 17 and learned to juggle, unicycle and a bit of trapeze. At that point, I was completely sure circus was what I wanted to pursue as a career, pretty much from when I started silk classes.”
With dreams to work with internationally renowned circus company, Cirque du Soleil, Solomon said, “For me, circus is the way you can inspire people to get more in touch with movement. A lot of it can be quite scary. A lot of the moves require trusting your body and the equipment you are using. I have built a lot of trust in my body, as well as strength and flexibility. I am passionate about helping others to do the same.”
Solomon has now finished his second year and he has launched a Crowdfunder to be able to continue with the course.
On the Crowdfunder page, his parents said, “Since the beginning we have one way or another managed to fund his journey but presently we need to raise money for Solomon to help him realise his dream to complete his circus education at Circomedia. There is no student loan available to vocational students and so far, we have had to fund his education there.”
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/keep-solomon-at-circomedia
