The Artist Behind the Art

Your Performance Isn't Over When the Music Stops: The Art of the Bow We spend hours refining our skills, music, choreography, and costumes. But how much thought do we give to the final moment we share with our audience? In this week's episode of The Artist Behind the Art , we're talking about one of the most overlooked moments in performance: the bow. Your bow is more than a gesture...

We’ve talked about what to look for in a contract. Now, what do you actually do when you want something to change? In Part Two of my conversation with attorney and circus artist Elizabeth Wohl , we move from understanding contracts to advocating for ourselves within them. We talk about how to ask for changes without making the conversation adversarial, why curiosity can be one of your best negotia...

You worked hard to get the opportunity. Then the contract lands in your inbox, and suddenly you're expected to understand exactly what you're agreeing to. In Part One of this two-part conversation, I'm joined by attorney and circus artist Elizabeth Wohl to help demystify some of the legal language we encounter as professional artists and understand the role we can actually play in t...

What makes a photograph actually feel like you ? In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , I sit down with photographer Guido to talk about what happens on both sides of the camera. While Guido primarily works with actors and specializes in headshots, the heart of this conversation applies far beyond traditional headshot photography. We talk about finding the right photographer, preparing for...

What makes an audience go from simply watching your performance to actually feeling connected to it? Audience connection is about so much more than eye contact. It begins with understanding who you are performing for, inviting them into the experience, and making sure every moment leads somewhere. In this episode, I’m breaking down AIM , my three-part approach to creating stronger audience connect...

Range isn't about proving you can do everything. It's about helping casting clearly imagine where you belong. In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , we're breaking down five different types of range and how intentionally developing them can expand what's possible for your career. You'll learn how to evaluate your current submission material, identify where you need...

Comparison is part of every artist's journey, but it doesn't have to keep you stuck. In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer explores how to transform comparison into curiosity, admiration, and authentic artistic growth. Learn how to use the artists who inspire you as clues to discovering your own unique voice instead of measuring yourself against theirs. In this episode:...

Creating a great act doesn't start with choreography—it starts with clarity. In this episode, Jennifer shares the three questions every artist should answer before stepping into the creative process. Whether you're creating for a casting submission, competition, festival, client, or personal project, these questions will help you make stronger creative decisions and build an act with pur...

What if improvisation was your creative partner and not scary... What if it was simply about discovering what's already inside you? In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer explores why improvisation is one of the most valuable creative tools a performer can develop. Whether you're creating a new act, exploring character, or feeling stuck in the choreography process, impro...

The stage is what we work for. But it's everything in between the performances that often shapes the opportunities that come next. In this solo episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer shares a collection of career lessons, observations, and practical advice that every circus artist should revisit throughout their career. Some of these ideas came from incredible mentors, some were lear...

What happens when the excitement of a new act wears off? When you're on tour, in a long-running production, or repeating an act over and over for stamina, one of the biggest challenges performers face isn't the performance itself—it's staying emotionally engaged inside the repetition. In this solo episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer shares the mindset shifts and practica...

In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer sits down with Courtney Butler, Head Athletic Trainer for Orlando Ballet and Sports Medicine Supervisor at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, and Katelyn, Registered Dietitian and Performance Nutrition Specialist working with Orlando Ballet performers. Together they tackle one of the biggest conversations facing performers today: how...

In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer breaks down one of the most overlooked, but career-defining, skills for performers: email communication.  From contracts and travel logistics to casting follow-ups and rehearsal communication, the way you show up in your inbox says a lot about how you show up professionally. This episode covers the practical habits and communication shifts th...

Competitions or festivals— What are the main differences? And more importantly…  are you choosing the right one for where you are in your career? In this episode, I sit down with Julian McTaggart to break down what these experiences actually look like—on stage, behind the scenes, and in how they impact your growth as an artist. We talk about:  – what rehearsal time really looks like – how to prepa...

What you do after a performance matters just as much as what happens on stage. In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer breaks down how to evaluate your act after a show in a way that actually leads to growth—without spiraling into overthinking or self-criticism. You’ll learn:  How to reflect on your performance with clarity   The key questions that reveal what’s working (and what’s...

We’ve all heard it: you have to get through 100 no’s before your first yes. But what no one talks about… is what happens after that first yes. In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer dives into the reality of building a sustainable career as a circus artist—especially the space between contracts. The part of the journey where doubt creeps in, questions start stacking, and the path...

Your Reputation Enters the Room Before You Do with Cheryl Ann What happens when you say yes to something completely outside your comfort zone? In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer sits down with performer Cheryl Ann , whose career journey took an unexpected turn from musical theatre into the world of Cirque du Soleil. What began as a recommendation from a friend turned into a se...

What is your artistic voice — and can you clearly communicate it when it matters most? In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer breaks down what she calls your artistic voice: your ability to introduce yourself confidently at an audition, explain your act in words, and articulate what makes you unique as an artist in a highly competitive industry. For many circus artists and perform...

What does it actually take to sustain a career on tour? In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , I’m joined by professional circus artist Elise Southwick , currently touring with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child . From cruise ships across the Mediterranean to bus tours across the U.S., Elise shares what it really looks like to maintain your discipline, your strength, and your professionalis...

Episode: What Makes a Circus Act Truly Great You asked for this episode—and I’ll be honest, it made me nervous to record. Because the moment we start defining “great,” people want to debate it (and they should). Art is subjective. So instead of declaring a universal truth, I’m sharing patterns I’ve witnessed over time—what consistently shows up in acts that evolve from “good” to unforgettable . Th...

What does it really take to stay healthy in a career where your body is your job? In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , I sit down with Samantha Oft , PT, DPT, ATC — Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Athletic Trainer, and former Head Therapist for Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba in Disney Springs. Sam has spent the past decade working with athletes and performers, bridging orthopedic reha...

Every New Year, we set goals like the future version of ourselves has unlimited time, energy, money, and emotional capacity — and then we wonder why we burn out or fall off track by March. In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , we’re breaking down why most goal-setting fails — and how to plan in a way that actually works. This is a practical, honest conversation about capacity, sacrifice,...

What is it actually like to be part of the creation of a brand-new Cirque du Soleil production? In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , host Jennifer Pierce sits down with Alexis Bernatchez to unpack the realities of show creation from the performer’s perspective. From AXEL to Canadian contemporary circus companies, Alexis shares how characters are discovered, how ideas are born (sometimes...

In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art , Jennifer sits down with aerialist, performer, and educator Dan Saab to talk about what it really looks like to build a circus career without a rulebook. Dan shares how he went from studying Theatre in college to working in circus full-time, performing in everything from cabaret and nightlife to large-scale productions and theme park shows — all while...

⭐ Episode #7 — Show Notes Presence That Connects: Four Ways to Stand Out Without Saying a Word In this episode, we’re breaking down the often-overlooked skill that separates solid performers from unforgettable artists : the way you show up before you ever speak. Choreographers, casting teams, and directors aren’t just watching what you do — they’re paying attention to how you enter the room, how...