Meet Leah Abel

Q: Leah, what first drew you to circus, and how did you end up making your career in the field?

More than anything, I loved the collaboration, support, and creativity that you see in circus. Another thing I liked was just seeing that it is ok to fail. Sure, failure may be accepted in sports, but it certainly isn’t celebrated the way it is in the circus. In circus, you see a juggler attempt something and miss and the audience cheers them on. Then the juggler will try again and succeed. You see an acrobat attempt a trick and not quite get it and try again, and again. It’s awesome! 

As for how I made my career in the circus, I started out as a dancer in college and just sort of stumbled upon it. Then when I encountered social circus, I fell in love with it. Social circus combines rigorous training, dialogue, and creative expression to build not only circus skills, but strong relationships.

Q: You are the founder and Executive Director of Circus Up, a nonprofit which runs community circus programs for youth. What is Circus Up's mission?

Our mission is to use circus arts to overcome social barriers and build community with students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Our vision is to create a world where inclusion is the model, access is the norm, and play, creativity, and diversity are celebrated. We use circus to create stronger, kinder, and more resilient communities. Circus Up is part of an international social circus movement. In Boston, we work to make circus arts more accessible and inclusive.

By the way, Kirkos, our kids troupe, will be performing this Saturday (August 17) at the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative's Multicultural Festival, noon to 5pm at Mary Hannon Park, 625 Dudley Street in Boston. We'd love folks to come see what these amazing kids can do!

Q: What do you hope kids take away from their experiences?

I hope kids learn that some things that feel impossible aren’t impossible. You can achieve things you never imagined. I hope kids learn that they can accomplish incredible things through hard work, both individually and as part of a team. I hope kids learn how to trust each other and themselves and how to express themselves creatively. And I hope they walk away knowing they are cared for and part of a community. 

Q: As a member of Clowns Without Borders. you've performed in Haiti, Palestine, and Myanmar. What is it like to bring circus to communities in crisis? 

I will say I’m happiest and most at peace when I’m performing for people through Clowns Without Borders. It is powerful to see the way communities come together to support each other in such difficult circumstances. We only go where we’re invited. That’s really important. Typically, audiences will be really quiet at first. Then within about three minutes, we’ll start to see people smile and laugh.

Q: Any memories you'd like to share?

After the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, I remember we were visiting and performing at an outdoor makeshift hospital. One of the people we visited was a young girl. She was shy and reserved. We did some light clowning and puppet work with her. She eventually started to giggle and talk with us through the puppets. We later learned that this child had been pulled from the rubble, had been laying next to her mother who had died, and had not spoken for the previous three weeks. 

For me, making genuine human connections through movement and laughter is what I love most. I see the impact it has through all of my work.

Q: As Baechtold & Abel you and a partner perform aerial acts around Boston. What's your favorite act? 

Yes, my partner Molly Baechtold and I collaborate to create original duo pieces on the lyra, trapeze, and silks. We perform all over New England. My absolute favorite thing to do is doubles work in the air. As an aerialist, I like climbing and hanging on things and finding different ways to move my body into different positions where I feel strong in the air. I love doing that with another human being.

Q: If you could perform any act or skill you haven't yet mastered, what would it be? I’ll tell you what, the swing trapeze! It’s not the flying trapeze, not the static trapeze, it’s the swing trapeze and it’s different! We just need a donation of $200,000 and Molly and I will create an incredible swing trapeze act for you.

Q: How do you find gigs?

Connections, friendship, things like this. And people know who we are now because we’ve been performing together as Baechtold & Abel for over 10 years.

Q: Leah, you also work with the Laughter League at Boston Children's Hospital. How does circus clowning help the kids and their families?

As hospital clowns, our job is to shift the energy in the room. So sometimes this means pretending to walk into a wall or fart into a book (so you can save it for later of course). It’s all about creating a distraction to give children and caregivers some lightness and relief from challenging things they are going through. 

I’m really grateful that my colleagues and I are able to do this. We see the difference it makes when a kid smiles or a parent or guardian relaxes their shoulders and laughs.

Q:  I have to ask, in closing, how you juggle (!) it all? 

I’m in the circus. Juggling things is just part of my job!