A desire to join the circus, walk a tightrope, or be the man on the flying trapeze isn’t enough to become an aerialist. Most aerialists are members of families who have performed their act for decades, and this is not a career option you’ll find in the classifieds of your local newspaper. In such cases, children begin aerialist training almost as soon as they are able to walk, and even then, not every child will have the skills or temperament to become a big-top star.
If you want to be an aerialist, you need to be born with the right body type. You’ll need to be muscular, but you’ll also need to be lighter than usual. You should also have an innate sense of spatial orientation. These considerations are critical because if you specialize in trapeze, you will frequently work with a partner. Not only must you be able to perform acrobatics without losing your balance, but you must also be able to catch your partner. The same is true if you want to do a high-wire act, because losing your balance could mean the end of your career, and possibly your life.
To become an aerialist, you must be in excellent physical condition and willing to maintain that condition every day of the year. Your act will require extreme athleticism, but you’ll also need steely nerves. You will not only be displaying your art at great heights, but you will also be doing so in front of tens of thousands of people. You should not attempt to become an aerialist if you have stage fright or a fear of heights.
You should start taking acrobatics, gymnastics, ballet, or other forms of dance at a young age. Trapeze schools and training centers can be found all over the world, and most of them accept students as young as six or seven years old. You’re ready to audition for a circus or traveling aerialist troupe if you have the body structure, skills, training, and desire to be an aerialist. Starting with a smaller circus and gaining some name and fame will give you the best chance of getting hired.
Aerialists with unique skills or acts are always in demand by some of the world’s most famous circuses and shows. The majority of these will accept your resume as well as a video of your performances, and if they like what they see, you could be on your way to fame. But keep in mind that you must begin when you are young. Most aerialists’ careers end before they reach the age of 40.