With the seemingly ever present COVID-19 keeping us from live performance and art, and close human contact in general, it can feel pretty difficult to connect with anyone or anything at the moment. In this column, I aim to bring you resources and reviews for online shows and events that you can attend while in the comfort of your own home. Eventually, when live entertainment is more socially acceptable, I will provide resources about that and what live entertainment will look like during the pandemic.

In addition to the global pandemic, there has been a lot of protesting for the Black Lives Matter movement, although protests have seemed to calm down. While things seem quieter and less tense, make no mistake. We are far from where we need to be to make sure our Black brothers and sisters, as well as other BIPOC, feel safe in their own country. In solidarity, and to keep the movement fresh in our heads, I wanted to support and amplify some Social Circus schools that serve racially, economically, and culturally diverse youth.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, Social Circus is a way of using the circus arts as a medium for social justice. In SANCA’s case, we try to help underprivileged kids with our after school outreach programs and serve the differently abled community with our Every Body Circus programs.

CircEsteem is another great example of a school that has a social circus program. Their flagship program is called Homework and CircusWork, or HWCW, and provides after school academic support through tutoring and self-esteem support through circus coaching. They have other programming as well as their own performance groups, with whom SANCA joined in Chicago last summer during the Social Circus Festival. In addition to these events and programs, they are also offering camps this summer so if you know anyone in Chicago looking for something to do this summer, send them that way. Like SANCA, these schools are non-profit schools and I would imagine they have also been hit pretty hard by COVID-19. As I mentioned before, SANCA has had a working relationship with schools such as CircEsteem and Fern Street Circus, another social circus school, so I want to give a special shoutout to our friends over there and ask you to check out their offerings during this difficult time..

I would also encourage you to check out the online classes and events that other similar schools are offering during the pandemic such as Circus Harmony, Trenton Circus Squad, or The Circus Project, and to donate if you are able and inclined. It’s tough for the arts right now and the more you can do, like donating, participating in online classes, or pointing out of town friends and family in the direction of the closest circus schools to them, social circus or otherwise, it could really help keep the arts alive.

See below for a list of the previously mentioned Social Circus schools, where you can find their websites and social media.

Article by Isaac McDonald

https://circesteem.org/
http://www.fernstreetcircus.com/
https://circusharmony.org/
https://www.trentoncircussquad.org/
https://www.thecircusproject.org/

Meet Bruce Ritzen, SANCA’s Board Secretary

Bruce joined us in 2015 as a member of SANCA’s Board of Directors. He is an attorney who works as the King County Council’s Code Reviser, with a focus on legislative drafting and editing. Bruce is an active community member and has served on several nonprofit boards including Meadowbrook Community Care; the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS) at the UW; the King County Employee Giving Program Committee; Maple Leaf Lutheran Church; and the Friends of The Evergreen State College Library. He also volunteers with STG (Paramount, Moore, and Neptune theatres), Seattle Opera (on stage a few times), and the World Peace Through Law and International Law sections of the State Bar Association.

He has a UW BA in History and Masters of Public Affairs, and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, which included study at London’s Queen Mary College. Hobbies include running, travel, trumpet, piano, and guitar, and Bruce is learning to juggle and fly on the flying trapeze at SANCA.

SANCA: How did you become involved with SANCA?

Bruce: I received my J.D. for the University of Texas at Austin and originally met Gaye McNutt there when we were both law students. After we both ended up in Seattle, we reconnected socially and Gaye told me about her service as a Board Member at a circus school, and I thought that was really amazing. Gaye invited me to a SASS performance and I also took a flying trapeze class. I really enjoyed it and Gaye invited me to join the board.

SANCA: How has SANCA impacted your life?

Bruce: I saw how circus empowered people and was very inclusive for people of all walks of life. I found that very compelling. I was exposed to hundreds of inspirational people from young kids to professional artists, and I found their attitude and ability at every level to be very inspiring. Everyone at SANCA is welcoming and open, and they encourage to others to achieve at any level. This “we’re in this together” approach, even if it’s working on a solo skill is very generous. Students and artists are sharing and helping each other. It is kind of always a group effort.

SANCA: Do you have a favorite circus discipline?

Bruce: Juggling is my favorite. It’s like a good magic trick. Really, it’s all physics and practice, but it looks impossible! Like sleight of hand. I especially enjoy LED and blacklight performances.

SANCA: What inspired you to serve SANCA’s community as a Board Member?

Bruce: Being on the board is a great way for me to help facilitate all the fun, empowerment, and community that makes SANCA the wonderful organization that it is. I like helping to solve problems and make SANCA a better and more sustainable organization.

SANCA: We’re facing challenges now with the COVID-19 pandemic. How has your view of SANCA’s role as an arts organization in Seattle changed or been influenced by this challenge?

Bruce: COVID shows what a hole is left in our community without access to an arts organization like SANCA, and how important access to arts, movement, and fitness is to our emotional, mental, and physical health and wellbeing. It’s also shown the resilience of circus artists and our staff, and how creative we are at working to continue to serve the community — they are really rising to the occasion. Everyone has done a wonderful job keeping people engaged while at home during this time with all the online classes and shows.

SANCA: Given the recent incidents of injustice and racism, and long-standing inequities that are profoundly affecting black and brown people right now, do you have thoughts on how the arts in general, and SANCA in particular, can support efforts for justice and equity?

Bruce: What attracts me to arts in general — I love all arts — it builds empathy across the board. It is always an interaction with someone else’s point of view, whether it is literary art, fine arts, or performing arts. Arts fights the lack of empathy and helps to generate an understanding of other points of view.

SANCA can be part of the effort of modeling of justice and equity in what we do— employment practices, interactions with students, and in the performances that we present. Art and performance sticks with you, it’s very memorable.

I strongly recall “Break Out!” — a show about Title 13 and youth in the justice system. The show was created by our second group of Circus RODA teens in 2017, in partnership with Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club and the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. The teens explored the problem of mass incarceration in the U.S., and it was a profound illustration of the consequences of police brutality and the penal system.

Interview by Jeff Deveaux, Development Director

SANCA, Seattle’s non-profit school of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts, has been a place for everybody. A space where artists, athletes, and curious beings to come explore, train, and perform.

SANCA lays south of the “Emerald City,” with the God-like mount Rainier watching over the land. As I have experienced it; Seattle is a city in which you can see amazing views of the country just outside of its borders.

Circus is defined to me as an artistic athleticism in which pushes the limits of our physical, mental, and emotional boundaries. Once we learn the fundamentals, we can apply it to other aspects of life.

When I was asked to paint this mural, my idea was to incorporate the city, the landscape, the moon, stars, and sky. This is within the realm of the elements, of night, and day. You can find the “luna”(moon) lyra artist, a “sol” (sun) silk aerialist hanging in the rays, and in between, a person jumping through a hula-hoop over the city

From the perspective of a spectator witnessing the magnificence that is the city and the circus artists; You will see that two hands- with these hands wide open, we are able to give and receive.

These hands belong to You; The Viewer. From wherever You come from, whatever You may look like, You also hold the ability to be apart of this journey. You will find that in the spectrum of circus arts, that there is a place for You here whether it may be in acro, aerials, juggling, tumbling, flowing, etc.

These hands welcome You, and will be a safe space to have you as You are. These hands will guide You to explore, experience, and challenge You. These hands can show You, that with practice, You can go above, & beyond, even past a physical limitation.

You may transcend the mind where you will find that the sky is the limit, and discover gravity is optional.

Leila Smith – Visual Artist

Student Ian Bond- Intermediate Acro-Yoga Online

Ian Bond is a performer, rock climber, outdoor enthusiast, and SANCA student. He and his partner Jenny have been loyally taking Intermediate Acro-Yoga once a week through SANCA’s online class offerings. Both Jenny and Ian started dabbling in circus arts this past winter taking SANCA’s Intro to Circus class but when the pandemic struck and many of the things they loved to do were shut down, they had to get creative about how to stay engaged at home.

Ian says they were “thrilled” to see the at home class offerings and they dove right in! Being creatures of habit, having a class they can rely on to help them stay connected to the day and each other has felt important to them physically and mentally. Ian also mentioned how they “love the vibes” of their Monday afternoon class and getting to know the other students has made him excited to take more classes at SANCA.

Ian is a movement choreographer and an actor so finding new and interesting ways to move his body is something he really enjoys. He is especially glad to have accessible classes with live instruction so he and Jenny can not only try new things, but get clear feedback in real time about what to do better and how to find success which he says is “SO much better than just trying to follow Youtube videos”. He describes his coaches, Nick and Amanda, as “incredibly gracious, clear and uplifting.”

Their coaches have had a blast teaching them because Ian and Jenny are attentive to the lesson, they communicate kindly with each other, and they never want to give up on a skill, which ultimately leads to lots of success! They have found that even when skills don’t quite work out and they inevitably topple over on each other they end up in a puddle of laughter and joy. Thanks Ian And Jenny for the light you bring to our online classroom, we are so glad you are a part of our SANCA community!

Article by Amanda Thornton

School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA)
COVID-19 Health & Safety Policy

in effect as of January 6, 2021

SANCA Seattle

COVID Policy – January 6 2021 

Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery 

INTRODUCTION

Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced the new Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan that provides guidance to SANCA for its reopening. SANCA is permitted to again host classes and private lessons within guidelines set forth by the Department of Health. We have created this document to provide transparency to our community in how SANCA is interpreting these guidelines as we move forward.

GUIDELINES FOR SANCA

The Healthy Washington guidelines for “Indoor Recreation and Fitness Establishments” states the following: 

In Phase 1 (which begins January 12), “low risk sports (including dance, no-contact martial arts, gymnastics, and climbing) permitted for practice and training only in stable groups of no more than 5 athletes”. 

• SANCA interprets this line as being the primary line applicable to our gym. SANCA’s activities have most closely aligned with gymnastics per the Governor’s COVID guidelines since the beginning of the pandemic. We interpret “stable groups” to mean 5 students or fewer meeting together at one time. We believe our private lessons fall into this same category.  

The next part of the Healthy Washington guidelines states, “Appointment based fitness/training; 45-minute max session, no more than 1 customer/athlete per room or per 500/sq. ft. for large facilities”. 

• As a “low risk sport”, we do not believe the second line is directed as us. We believe this sentence is aimed at a more traditional fitness gym where clients are exercising on treadmills, etc. However, we will follow the space guidelines (1 student per 500 sq. ft. for large facilities) laid out in this line as we believe it is the wise thing to do. Classes will be limited to a maximum of two classes per room. The square footage of each room allows for 14 students in the main gym (the room with trampolines, Tumbl Trak, and blue floor), and 10 students in the south annex (the room with the tightwires and hard floor). As such, there will never be more than this number of students in each room at any one time.

PLAN FOR CLASSES AND ENROLLMENT

SANCA will open enrollment beginning Friday, January 8, at 10:00 A.M. Students can enroll online at sancaseattle.org or by calling (206) 652-4433. This four-week session will run from January 17 through February 13, 2021. Online classes will continue to be available throughout.

SANCA will continue to stay abreast of any changes to our current guidelines and later in January, SANCA will announce details about the next session that will begin February 14.

Summary of Changes with the August 6, 2020, update:

• Update on numbers of students permitted in each room (see bold text below)
• Detailed mask policy posted (see bold text below)

SUMMARY

To ensure the safety of our students, staff, and surrounding community, and in consideration of public health, SANCA will adhere to a new policy in regards to sanitation and social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19. This policy goes into effect immediately and will continue indefinitely until the SANCA Board of Directors implements an updated or new policy. SANCA will follow the guidelines in the Governor’s requirements for fitness facilities in Phase 2, with additional measures and clarification provided below in this policy.

Following these procedures for cleanliness and sanitation is about reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our larger community: Georgetown, Seattle, Puget Sound, and the Pacific Northwest. SANCA is committed to doing our part to protect the most vulnerable populations regardless of how COVID-19 may affect any one single person.

Large open-air spaces with garage doors open during classes

PROCEDURES

The Executive Director shall appoint a COVID-19 Supervisor to implement and enforce this Policy during all shifts in which training, classes, and/or camps occur. The COVID-19 Supervisor can be any staff member or volunteer who is appropriately trained to implement and enforce this Policy.

All SANCA staff, volunteers, and students are required to observe and act within the following procedures to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

1. Staff, volunteers, and students will monitor their own health and will not enter SANCA facilities if experiencing any symptoms of cold or flu (cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, etc.).
2. Everyone who enters the building will wash their hands upon arrival and again before departing. Additional hand washing as appropriate is encouraged.
3. Masks must be worn according to the public health order in the state of Washington. The order allows for exceptions that may apply to heavy workouts if approved by the coach of the class or private lesson. The decision of the coach is final. See below for more detailed mask policy.
4. Explicit verbal consent is required for any physical contact between any staff, volunteers, and/or students at SANCA. No handshaking, hugs, high-fives or other casual physical contact is permitted in the building.
5. Equipment and objects used in training will be sanitized appropriately before and after each class, training session, workshop, performance, and/or private lesson.
6. Staff, volunteers, and students will check in with the COVID-19 Supervisor upon arrival and before departure from SANCA.
7. Staff, volunteers, and students will abide by any additional requests made by the COVID- 19 Supervisor, Staff Directors, and/or Executive Director, in regards to health and sanitation.
8. The facility will be limited to a maximum of three classes of five students each in the North Annex (7,200 sq. ft.), three classes of five students (or 15 students maximum) each in the Main Gym (7,200 sq. ft.), two classes of five students in South Annex (4,800 sq. ft.).*
9. The Flying Trapeze tent (4,000 sq. ft.) will be limited to a maximum of two classes of five students each.
10. Additional procedures must be followed by everyone at SANCA based on the Stage SANCA is currently active within. Procedures for the current Stage will be posted in the Front Office and implemented and enforced by the COVID-19 Supervisor.

Floors are taped for distancing, plenty of room to distance

*This is lower capacity than the Governor’s limit for SANCA based on fire code, which would require a maximum of 98 students in the facility at one time.

SANCA leadership will also provide ongoing cleaning, supplies, and personnel to follow the following procedures.

1. Staff and/or volunteers will sanitize all high touch surfaces (door knobs, handles, faucets, railings, common areas, etc.) at minimum but not limited to three times per day.
2. Cleaning supplies will be stocked and placed in designated, visible areas in each of SANCA’s three main rooms. Signage will provide instruction about how cleaning supplies can be used for each type of equipment.
3. SANCA will employ a COVID-19 Supervisor to provide health monitoring and enforcement of this policy during all open hours. The COVID-19 Supervisor is tasked with supervising all gym activity to ensure this policy is followed.
   • The COVID-19 Supervisor will ask everyone upon entering:
     1. If they are experiencing any symptoms,
     2. To be checked for temperature by an infrared thermometer
     3. To wash their hands,
     4. To sanitize all equipment before and after use according to instruction
     5. To purposely not engage in any physical contact with another person except when required by activity, and,
     6. To seek explicit verbal consent for any physical contact that is needed for training and/or instruction.
   • The COVID-19 Supervisor will ensure proper sanitization of equipment.
   • The COVID-19 Supervisor will interrupt training and/or instruction when any individual is not following this policy.
   • The COVID-19 Supervisor will report any activity that does not follow this policy to the Program Director and/or the Executive Director.
4. Front office staff will ask every individual who enters SANCA’s office to check in with the COVID-19 Supervisor.
5. This policy will be posted in the front office, hallway to the staff locker, and in the staff break room.

Wearing Masks

Masks are required. No one will be admitted entry to SANCA without a mask that covers nose and mouth. If students want a mask break, they must go outside. 

There is an exception, but it is strictly limited. A student must wear their mask when moving through the facility. Once the student is in the limited physical space where they will exercise, remains six feet away from others not in their household, and does not leave that limited physical space, if the coach approves it, the student may remove their mask while exercising. Once they leave that physical space, they must wear their mask again. This follows the state order for a mask exception.

Because the Governor’s mask order allows for this exception, we will allow it, but it will be solely at the discretion of the coach of the class. If the coach isn’t comfortable with it, all students in that class must wear their masks without exception. If the coach allows it, the students may remove masks only while exercising under these stated conditions. The coach only has authority over the class they are teaching.

Once a student (or staff member) has removed their mask, they are NOT allowed to move freely around the facility without that mask. They must remain in the limited workout area.

Important: masks must be worn without exception for all camps, for all Flying Trapeze classes, and for use of the Tumble Track.

REOPENING PLAN

The SANCA COVID-19 Reopening Plan (below) is considered part of this policy and shall be followed according to the Stage currently in effect. All procedures outlined in the current Stage will be followed by all staff, students, and volunteers whenever they are at SANCA.

Reopening Plan for COVID-19

Version 1.1 – July 10, 2020

Summary

The mission of SANCA is to improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of children of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities by engaging them in the joyous creativity of acrobatics and circus arts. That statement is crucial as it defines that our work is about health; we use the circus arts to support healthy lives. That is our focus as we respond to this pandemic.

As Seattle begins the slow return to work, COVID-19 remains a concern. Governor Inslee has issued directives that give many businesses the chance to open within strict guidelines. While we are not yet cleared for hosting classes, we can utilize these guidelines to develop policies for slowly reintegrating staff into our gym, and a plan for camps and classes later this summer.

This plan gives us a road map for reopening SANCA but it is not a static document. The intention is to continually update it as new information becomes available, and as state and local government and public health officials provide new guidelines. Dates are not included with each stage because we will have to be responsive to a rapidly changing environment.

Slow the Spread

SANCA has three huge warehouse-style rooms with tall ceilings

It is important to recognize that no facility can reduce all risk of contracting COVID-19. The only way to ensure that a person does not contract the virus is to stay home. Once an individual leaves home to go to the grocery store, go to work, or for any other activity, there is a real chance that they could contract or spread the COVID-19 virus. Over the past two months, the state of Washington has stayed home to give time to our healthcare system and professionals so they can prepare and be ready for the long-term response to this pandemic. All signs point to early success in that effort.

SANCA aims to reduce the risk to the best of its abilities while maintaining some level of operation that allows for circus activities. Staff, students, and individuals who enter SANCA must understand and agree to the risks associated with the spread of the virus, acknowledging that SANCA cannot eliminate all risk. Therefore, only persons who have accepted this risk by signing a liability waiver will be permitted entry to SANCA. No staff member or other individual shall be required to enter SANCA for any reason.

SANCA is currently in Stage Three of this plan.

STAGE ONE

Permissions/Restrictions:

• No students permitted in the building / stay home order
• Allow SANCA staff training within pods
• F/T staff work on site as needed only
• COVID-19 Supervisor on site during training hours to ensure protocols

Requirements:

• Waiver must be signed electronically for entry (all persons)
• Masks must be worn
• Social distancing required
• Cleaning / disinfecting equipment after use
• All large bay doors remain open for maximum ventilation
• Training times staggered to avoid “passing by” contact
• Staff will not remain in the facility after their designated training time
• All persons entering must have temperature taken by infrared thermometer
• All persons entering must take a short orientation or view a short orientation video*

STAGE TWO

Permissions/Restrictions:

• Allow SANCA staff training within pods
• Allow private lessons within pods
• No children under the age of 9
• F/T staff work on site in moderation
• COVID-19 Supervisor on site to ensure protocols

Requirements:

• Waiver must be signed electronically for entry (all persons)
• Masks must be worn
• Social distancing required
• Cleaning / disinfecting equipment after use
• All large bay doors remain open for maximum ventilation
• Training times staggered to avoid “passing by” contact
• Staff/students will not remain in the facility after their designated training time
• All persons entering must have temperature taken by infrared thermometer
• All persons entering must take a short orientation or view a short orientation video*

STAGE THREE – SANCA is in this stage as of 7/10/20

Permissions/Restrictions:

• Pods are not required
• Allow SANCA staff training
• Allow private lessons
• Allow classes and camps on a limited basis
• No children under the age of 6
• F/T staff work on site majority of time
• COVID-19 Supervisor on site to ensure protocols

Class/Camp Rules:

• Class limit at 5 students, 1 coach (some exceptions allow for 5:2, where appropriate distancing is possible)
• North Annex maximum number of people: 3 groups
• South Annex maximum number of people: 2 groups
• Main Gym maximum number of people: 3 groups
• Classes have staggered times to avoid students and coaches passing during transition
• Parents cannot wait in building; must leave or be outside during class

Requirements:

• Waiver must be signed electronically for entry (all persons)
• Masks must be worn (some limited exceptions apply)
• Social distancing required
• Cleaning / disinfecting equipment after use
• All large bay doors remain open for maximum ventilation (unless too cold)
• Class times staggered to avoid “passing by” contact as much as possible
• Students will not remain in the facility after class and/or training
• All persons entering must have temperature taken by infrared thermometer
• All persons entering must abide by COVID policy; an orientation video could be shown*

STAGE FOUR – this stage will be rewritten at a later date

Permissions/Restrictions:

• Allow SANCA staff training
• Allow private lessons
• No children under the age of 6
• F/T staff work on site full time
• COVID-19 Supervisor on site to ensure protocols

Class/Camp Rules:

• Class limit at 6 students
• North Annex maximum number of people: 3 groups
• South Annex maximum number of people: 3 groups
• Main Gym maximum number of people: 3 groups
• Classes staggered times to avoid crowds passing in office

Requirements:

• Waiver must be signed electronically for entry (all persons)
• Masks recommended (dependent on public health officials’ requirements)
• Social distancing recommended (dependent on public health officials’ requirements)
• Cleaning / disinfecting equipment after use

STAGE FIVE

• Return to pre-COVID operations
• Waiver must be signed electronically for entry (all persons)

Additional Rules for Camps

• Parents dropping students off must remain within a designated area in front office and are not permitted in any other area of the facility
• Students assigned a single cubbie (labeled) that no one else uses that week
• Any child who shows or expresses symptoms during a camp will be moved to the upstairs parent room, with supervision, until they can be picked up by a parent
• Camps will work within pods as much as possible so contact is limited

*The orientation will cover topics such as when and how to remove a mask (for drinking water or when in highly rigorous training), when to wash hands and use sanitizer, and when and how to clean and disinfect equipment.

We asked you to GiveBIG . . . 

. . . AND YOU DID!

Washington’s GiveBIG day of giving has been part of SANCA’s annual spring fund drive since it launched ten years ago, and while it’s always been an essential source of support for SANCA, this year we really needed your help, and you were there for us.

I am so humbled and proud to share that you – our circus community – have made this our biggest GiveBIG ever with $22,910 given online. You gave more than double last year. Adding matches and offline giving to that total, you raised $40,438 to help SANCA through these uncertain times.

Our circus community has also sounded out loud and clear your passion for the circus arts and your support for SANCA as a vital non-profit arts organization in Seattle! The GiveBIG leaderboards for online giving report that SANCA places:

• • – 16th in fundraising among 382 participating arts organizations.
  • – 108th among all 1,682 participating organizations.

That is simply amazing. I am overwhelmed. Thank you.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and it became clear that we would need to shut down normal operations, there were many fears and questions, but one thing was clear — we’re circus people — we couldn’t sit still. The first thing our staff decided was to move as many classes as we could online for our community. And more, without hesitation, we decided on a policy of donations only for classes in the early days of this crisis.

We knew that many of the hardest hit by this pandemic would be least able to afford regular class fees, and in keeping with our mission and vision, it was essential that we provide as much access as possible to our whole community.

You haven’t let us down. Because of your support through GiveBIG, as well as your support in the early days of this crisis, SANCA will be able to continue online classes even as we prepare for the future. Your support is giving our students the opportunity to continue healthy and creative circus classes, to continue to connect with their friends in a time of social isolation, and to allow SANCA to continue to pay our staff and safeguard them financially.

Behind the scenes, we’re also working on what the return to SANCA will look like for all of us. The safety of our community is our highest priority. Your support at GiveBIG gives us the opportunity to put in place measures that will allow us to return to the gym in a safe way after the stay-home orders have been lifted.

While we don’t yet know when we’ll return to SANCA, I think this note of gratitude we received from a supporter really sums it up for us all:

“I love you SANCA! You have helped me see the power of my body in new and wonderful ways, I have made friends, and I can’t wait to return!”

You have made it possible for SANCA to survive these uncertain times. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jeff Deveaux

Development Director

Notes of Gratitude (quotes from our students and supporters)

“For two years you provided scholarship money that made it possible for my goddaughter to go to your summer camp. You made it possible for my nephew to attend classes for 3 years. Your honor system makes it so easy, and I will contribute what I can and when I can to thank you for your generosity and trust.”

“Thank you for offering online classes and engaging with the community!”

“Love your classes and programs! SANCA is so inspiring, encouraging and inclusive!”

“You are all amazing! We miss being at SANCA during this time, but I am so appreciative of all you are doing online. It’s been so fun for me to take classes each week, something I hadn’t done in a number of years. Looking forward to seeing everyone in person again when it’s safe; until then, hoping you’re all safe and healthy and making circus any way you can.”

“I experienced tremendous joy myself, but more than that, I watched so many people of all ages and sizes having the same joy. Circus provides so very much and we want to help anyone also experience that joy. Thank you for all you do!”

Dear Circus Friends and Family:

All of us at SANCA are thinking of you and your health. We appreciate you and thank you for being part of the circus family here at SANCA. Most of all, we are all looking forward to the day when we can all enter the gym again to train, play, and learn.

As you know, SANCA is currently closed through at least April 6 in response to Governor Inslee’s stay-at-home order. SANCA has been completely dark since the order. There have been no classes, no private lessons, no training, and no staff in the building at all.

Our Spring session classes were set to begin March 29. Naturally, this means that the first week of Spring session is cancelled. Our staff has determined that even if the Governor tells us we can go back to work on April 7, SANCA will not open Spring session classes until April 19 at the earliest. We are currently anticipating that the Governor or local public health officials may either order or recommend closures through April and possibly into May.

SANCA has not yet set a date for our reopening, nor have we made a decision about the status of Spring Break camp April 14-18. We will make these decisions once more credible information is available or firm announcements are made by public health officials or the Governor.

• If you registered and paid for Spring session classes and/or Spring Break camp (in part or in full), we ask that you are patient with us until a decision is announced about SANCA’s status for the remainder of April and May.
• If you wish to receive a refund or donate your tuition now without waiting, you have the option to do so now. Please click on this link to complete a form to request a refund or to donate your tuition fees to SANCA to support us during the COVID-19 closure. SANCA is a non-profit organization, and we are committed to paying our staff in full during COVID-19 related closures.

Read more about the impact of COVID-19 on SANCA’s finances here.

Please note: the COVID-19 closure has greatly strained SANCA’s resources and people, so our response time may be longer than usual. Refund requests will be processed as soon as we can get to them. It may take a couple of weeks for you to receive your refund. Currently, we can only process refunds from our offices, and due to the Governor’s order, no staff has been at SANCA’s offices. We will not begin processing refunds until after April 7, so you should see payment before the end of April.

Thank you for your patience with us as we implement new procedures for doing business during this unprecedented situation.

Love in the time of COVID19:

Self Care Guidance from The Transformational Women’s Circus

We are between worlds. We are somewhere in the middle of the world we once knew and the world that is waiting for us, trying mightily as we can to hold on to any sense of normalcy. Many of us find this nearly impossible- whatever was once normal to us is now gone. Our routines, our schedules, and our sense of regularity and predictability are absent. Structures we relied on to hold us up have crumbled and we are grieving the loss of those structures. A traumatic experience is any event that threatens our safety and exceeds our ability to cope, and this- COVID19, does both. Our safety is threatened on many levels, from our physical safety to our financial security, and there is no known coping manual for this event. It is unprecedented. We are all being traumatized by the same experience, in real time, together. And now, more than ever, we need each other.

In the Transformational Women’s Circus (TWC), SANCA’s Creative Arts Therapy program for women, we intentionally navigate in-between spaces. We confront past traumatic experiences and transform them into art in order to facilitate personal change. Though we have never before encountered something like COVID19, in TWC we are in the business of caring for ourselves in times of distress. Traumatic events have a unique ability to either break us down and leave us fractured, or help us rebuild ourselves into new people. The key ingredient that differentiates those two potential paths is support and increased coping measures. Like a muscle repairing after physical exertion, nurturing is required to facilitate repair. If care, rest, and proper support are available, the muscle grows stronger than it was before. If not, the muscle can become injured. Similarly, providing support to ourselves and to one another during this time is crucial, both for daily and long-term health and wellbeing. In TWC, we focus on 4 areas in which to direct support when we are healing- Our body, our mood, our relationships, and our mind. Each of these areas is affected by stress, overwhelm, and traumatic experiences. The following describes how each area can become dysregulated, and actions we can take to regulate those areas and find increased comfort and wellness.

Body

You may find that you are feeling extra tired, you are having a hard time focusing, and you cannot easily access ideas and thoughts that are usually accessible to you. Inversely, you may find yourself feeling antsy, irritable, jumpy, anxious, or overwhelmed. This is called nervous system dysregulation. Many know this as moving into fight or flight mode. Our nervous systems normally move along a spectrum- out of our window of tolerance and into hypo-arousal (flight) to hyper-arousal (fight), all day long. During times of increased stress, however, we move between those opposites more frequently and more problematically. And, sometimes, we get stuck on one end of the spectrum for a long time. Prolonged hypo-arousal is, essentially, a state of depression, and prolonged hyper-arousal is a constant state of anxiety. During this time of COVID19, you likely are moving between those states in a very noticeable way, which might be confusing or distressing. If you are noticing these symptoms, you will likely benefit from activities that regulate your body.

Ways you can regulate your body

• Create a daily routine
• Wake up at a predictable time 4-5 days a week, sleep in on other days as a treat
• Connect with nature in a socially distanced way 
• Play with sensory toys (even if you’re a grown up!)
• Get your heart rate up in some kind of way, for at least 30 minutes, a few days a week
• Respect your body’s need for naps and rest 
• Drink lots of water
• Eat well and consistently and be kind to yourself when you cannot
• Walk or engage in other kinds of bilateral movement 
• Tend to your environment- move furniture, re-decorate, fill your space with pleasing smells, sounds, and textures 

Mood

Similar to the way in which your nervous system is constantly shifting, our moods shift throughout the day under regular circumstances. Right now, your mood may be shifting all over the place, as these are far from normal circumstances. You may notice sudden emotional distress, anxiety, anger, sadness, confusion, happiness, or fear. All are normal, and also, feeling as though you cannot have a say in how you feel is difficult. In many ways, COVID19 is a grief process, as we have lost so much since the beginning of this pandemic, and we continue to experience loss every day in big and in small ways. Our moods are especially tidal these days. Self expression is a very effective way to ride the waves of our emotions. Self expressive activities allow us to see ourselves, make sense of our reality, and create new stories. 

Ways you can regulate your Mood

• Make art of ANY kind- draw, paint, sculpt, decorate, collage. 
• In art making, give yourself a directive: How do I feel today? How do I want to feel?
• Write poems, stories, or journal about how you are feeling and what you are experiencing 
• Give yourself permission to cry 
• Connect with a friend who makes you laugh 
• Spend time quietly reflecting 
• Read a story or watch a movie with a message that is affirming to you
• Move! Dance! Fill your body with endorphins from increased activity
• Put your phone on airplane mode or turn it off completely 
• PLAY! In any kid of way, in every kind of way

Relationships

Our relationships with others, as well as our relationship with ourselves, are impacted by difficult experiences. Some of us crave distance during times of stress, some want nothing more than to be close to the ones we love. Many of us are somewhere in between. Some are in isolation with others, some of us are isolated alone. Either way, isolation is difficult- when we are cooped up with others, we may desire solitude. If we are alone in our isolation we may be mourning the loss of being able to access our friends and family. Human beings are, by nature, relational. We are hardwired for connection. No matter what your style of relating may be, COVID19 is re-shaping how we relate, day to day. 

Ways you can regulate your relating 

• Journal for self reflection every day- where are you at today? Do you need more space? Do you need closeness?
• Take some time to research your attachment style 

• Engage in co-regulating activities– even if you are a grown up!

• Be aware of the way you are relating to yourself- are you being hard on yourself in some kind of way? Are you telling yourself you aren’t making the most of time in quarantine? 
• Remind yourself daily that you are doing the best you can, you do not have to perform wellness for anyone, including yourself.
• Express your feelings to someone you trust 
• If you are quarantined with others, consider how you can get some alone time
• Practice asking for help- this is hard for everyone, it takes practice 
• Set up online hangouts with friends weekly, or as often as you need

Mind

When it comes to our thinking and cognition, we are, likely, coming in and out of focus all day long while we sit in quarantine. Some moments our thoughts may feel sharp and clear, other moments it may feel like our brain doesn’t work at all. We are well accustomed to our brains being distracted by work, activities, relationships, and others obligations and responsibilities, but now, everything has changed. Our brains do not know what to do with this uncomfortable reality.  Our brains love stories and meaning making, in fact, that is part of our survival as a species. We need stories to be well, whole, and to regulate our distress. COVID19 is a new story we do not understand; a story whose ending is unclear and unknown to us. Our brains loath the lack of clarity and will make up a story to fill in the gaps. This is an attempt to keep us safe and create a sense of wellbeing. 

Ways you can regulate your thinking  

• Consider what content you are taking-in online- how much news? How much social media? How is that impacting the story you tell yourself about what is happening in the world?
• Give your brain a chance to rest by moving your body or doing something creative 
• Direct awareness to your automatic negative thoughts and consider why they may be coming up- is your brain trying to protect you?
• Combat the brain’s natural negativity bias by writing a daily gratitude list
• Steer clear of messages that enforce Toxic Positivity, you do not have to be 100% positive during a pandemic 
• Externalize your thoughts as often as you can 

No matter who you are or how you are coping, be kind to yourself. If you read this post and think, “Nothing here would work for me”, then great! Reflect on what would work for you instead. You are a unique person living in a unique time. Self care is not a one-size fits all kind of thing. Self care is highly individual, and our ability to practice self care waxes and wanes. Some days, we are high functioning in our self care, other days we cannot take care of ourselves at all. Now, more than ever, that is understandable and expected. We are all doing the best we can with the resources and support we have available to us. As we go forward, please know that the SANCA community, and those of us who lead it, are here for you. You do not have to be strong alone. We can be strong together, and in doing so, create a collective strength that will guide us into the future. 

With love, 

The Transformational Women’s Circus 

Dear SANCA Family & Friends,

Wow! Thank you! We are truly blessed to serve a community that is so loving.  Your outpouring of support in response to our campaign to help SANCA and our team of dedicated staff and artists has been huge! See below for some of the messages of support we have received.

We know during this crisis that many are suffering and struggling, many are scared, and many need help. Your generous and kind-hearted contributions help us support our staff and our students who are isolated and need the healthy social support of a circus class. Your support is helping us to build up a series of online circus classes to meet the increasing requests of our students for Circus at Home options. Your generosity also helped us process March payroll without cuts to support our team despite rapidly declining revenues from lost operations.

So far you’ve helped SANCA raise $32,914, so that we can continue to pay our staff and artists who are most vulnerable due to loss of work.

Thank you! From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the Board and Staff at SANCA, we are truly grateful and our hearts are filled with love from your actions. We are indebted to you always and pledge to serve our community to the best of our abilities.

If you wish to support SANCA in this time of need, donations can be made at our website. We still have a long way to go to recover.  Our losses already equal $130,000 and will grow as long as SANCA’s doors remain closed. Truly: thank you thank you thank you! 

With gratitude,
John Tannous
Executive Director

Messages from some of our contributors in response to the COVID-19 crisis:

“We appreciate all you do to inspire kids and adults in circus arts. Let’s keep the magic alive! THANK YOU!!!”

“Please use this donation to support your artists and teachers.”

“[SANCA has] been a solid, positive influence in my kids’ lives. Your acceptance of neurodiversity and gender fluidity have given our family a safe place to be ourselves. As a single mom of a challenging kiddo, you have been a solid support for me too – likely without even knowing it; you’re all so accepting that I’ve never felt I’ve had to justify or explain ourselves or our circumstances. And for that, I’m forever indebted to you and yours.”

“We don’t live in Seattle anymore, but we sure wish we could have taken SANCA with us! We’ll always be cheering from far away.”

“Please use these funds to keep your staff employed during this crisis. My daughter loves her aerial class and I am hoping she can eventually partake in more. She lost her dad last fall and SANCA was one of the few things she was looking forward to resuming as she transitioned back to her normal routine.”

“I look forward to the post-COVID-19 days when SANCA fills Seattle with joy and fun.”

Join these supporters with a donation today

GIVE TODAY

When I moved to Seattle late last summer, one of the first things I made sure to do was sign up for circus classes. Spending time with a community of creative, passionate, fun, and hardworking people who aren’t afraid to try new things and push the envelope just adds so much to my life – the people that I practice aerial with really do become my family. I was so excited to get started at this school that I had heard was the top place to do circus in the region, and it far surpassed all my expectations. I couldn’t imagine my time in Seattle without the people I’ve met and the classes I’ve taken at SANCA.

With everything that’s going on these days, my first class at SANCA back in September feels like a lifetime ago. Because of COVID-19, we have entered a scary period not only for ourselves and our family and friends, but also for the businesses and organizations that help make our lives vibrant and whole. Just as there are actions that we all can take to protect and support ourselves and our loved ones in this time, there are also things we can do to help support an organization that has given us so much.

I already miss dropping on the silks, pulling up onto a trapeze, and feeling the solidarity of a good stretching session, and I want to make sure all of that is there when this is over. I’m going to be donating my remaining class time for winter session back to SANCA, and I hope you will join me in doing so. On top of that, I’m going to register for the spring session, not only to put out the positive energy that we’ll be in a better place by then, but also to show my continued support for SANCA, the wonderful coaches and staff, and the facilities.

After all, circus is like a family, and families gotta look out for each other in times like these.

Josh, Adult Aerial 3 student at SANCA