Aerial/Movement

In the air and on the ground, Shelley is a compelling physical storyteller and shapeshifter, melding long lines, sharp angles and a flair for the dramatic. Whether sensual or silly, serious or surreal, they bring emotional resonance and a keen eye for detail to every character and performance. They graduated from the Aloft Circus Arts (Chicago) Pro Training program in 2026 with a major in lyra and a minor in sling. In 2025, they wrote and performed in ‘The Amazing Adventures of 2NBs’ (w. Maria Tate), a 2-person queer musical circus show for kids.

Performance highlights and collaborations:
Aloft Circus Arts
The Amazing Adventures of 2NBs (summer 2025)
Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival
Nights Out in the Park (Chicago Park District)
Elgin Fringe Festival
Storybook Circus w. Yes Ma’am Circus
Transilience Festival
Volume Dance Company
Visceral Encore
Such Creatures
20×2 Chicago

An aerialist performs on an aerial hoop hanging from the ceiling in front of an audience in a dark theater. One of their legs is hooked on the rope above the hoop and the other stretches towards the floor in a split. Their hands reach out wide.
A circus performer with short green hair performs an arm balance on a small red table, balancing with their legs extended upward in a dimly lit setting with purple and blue lighting. They wear a sparkly long sleeve leotard.
Performer balancing on one leg on stage, wearing an elaborate costume made of junk like cardboard, plastic, and tape, with arms outstretched. Audience members observe in the background, and dramatic red lighting highlights the scene.
An aerialist hangs upside down from one arm, with their other arm and legs reaching towards the floor. They are wearing a short grey dress and leg sleeves and an audience watches in the dark behind them.
An aerialist with spiky bleached blond hair performs on an aerial hoop in a dark, blue-lit circus theater. They are wearing black and white checkered leggings and a denim vest and hang in a backbend from the top of the hoop.
A aerialist in drag king makeup performs on a black aerial sling in a circus theater setting. They wear a shirt patterned like a male chest and shiny silver leggings, holding the sling with one hand and touching their chest with the other.
Aerial performer hangs from one leg in an aerial hoop, balanced on their armpits in a split. They wear a torn black, torn bright red tights and zombie makeup under bright stage lights in a darkened theater.
Aerial performer hanging upside down from a vertical ring, illuminated with purple and pink lighting against a dark background. They have their foot pulled to their head from behind and are wearing a sparkly purple and black leotard.
Performer in a colorful costume made of trash and a bag over their head hangs from an aerial hoop with a foot pulled behind their head on stage with dark background, illuminated with purple lighting, surrounded by cardboard boxes.
Performer in black dress, ripped red tights and zombie makeup poses with skeleton props on stage in a dark theater.
Two performers are on a dark stage, one sitting on a chair and the other balancing on their back, forming a human structure in an artistic pose.
An aerialist performing an aerial sling act hangs upside down in a dimly lit venue with stained glass windows and brick walls. They are wearing yellow tights, yellow swim fins, a black cheerleading costume and orange sunglasses.
Three dancers perform on stage with their arms raised and their backs arched, wearing mesh shirts, fishnet stockings and black shorts, in front of a colorful banner with a trans pride logo and a QR code.
Two performers on stage, smiling and posing with arms outstretched. One wears glasses and a headband with heart-shaped antennas and has pink hair, the other wears a striped shirt and overalls with green hair and is holding their foot in a split.
An aerial performer in a white tank top, black shorts and denim vest balances in black aerial hoop in a dimly lit venue with brick walls. They are laying propped on one elbow with one arm extended upward and both legs extended out.
Group of diverse performers in colorful brown, green and orange costumes dancing on stage with brick wall and stained glass background. They all hold dramatic poses with their arms and legs.