The Ensemble
The first of its kind in Scotland, The Ensemble is a new aerial performance company, led by All or Nothing’s Artistic Director, Jen Paterson.
The Ensemble exists to produce professional aerial performances while enabling artists to develop and sustain their practice and careers here in Scotland. It also aims to contribute in the long term to developing the infrastructure and opportunities for aerial as an art form in Scotland.
During this first year, four artists will work together, training, devising new work and performing. They are currently developing two new pieces. Windows is a new mid-scale piece for theatre settings; influenced by Avril Paton’s painting of a tenement block, Windows in the West, and works such as Hitchcock’s Rear Window and Nan Goldin’s photography, Windows is an exploration of glimpses into other people’s lives. The Flying Ceilidh is a new outdoor work in collaboration with Marie Williamson, bringing the joy, celebration and community of a ceilidh into the air!
In addition to their performance work, The Ensemble artists will be involved in guest teaching across All or Nothing’s artist development and participatory work, facilitating artist training workshops and leading sessions for All or Nothing’s youth performance groups.
Chrissie Ardill
An Irish-born, Glasgow-based professional dancer and aerialist, Chrissie is addicted to exploring movement in the air, on the floor, and on any structure around, creating dynamic and original performances and teaching people of all backgrounds and abilities.
With a degree in dance and over a decade of professional performance experience, she has worked extensively with performance companies across Scotland, Ireland, England, and as far as Korea and Puerto Rico. Chrissie also works as a choreographer and does movement direction and aerial consultation for theatre.
Find Chrissie on Instagram: @chrissie.ardill
Tessa Stockwell
Tessa is a professional aerialist and acrobat from Newcastle upon Tyne. She has performed predominantly in the North East, and completed a BTEC with Circus Central. She expanded her repertoire at the National Centre for Circus Arts where she earned her BA in 2023 having specialised in Corde Lisse.
Using her experience in gymnastics and contemporary dance; Tessa loves creating dynamic work on her rope as well as finding pathways that exist between the air and ground. In addition to rope, she has performed acrobatics, hand to hand, hand balance, doubles trapeze and silks.
Instagram: @tessacircus
Tilly Lee-Kronick
Tilly is an interdisciplinary artist and circus creator. She spent her childhood singing, dancing and performing, but her love for circus began at an international aerial dance festival, where she first discovered she could dance in the air. She then completed her degree at Circomedia, specialising in static trapeze and physical theatre. Tilly strives to create work in a multidisciplinary way, challenging traditional perceptions of circus and theatre to produce unique and exciting aerial work. Her two solo shows- Ripe and Handful of Nothing- directed by Mish Weaver, have toured extensively around the UK. She also co-founded and is co-artistic director of award-winning inclusive circus company Head Over Wheels, creating aerial theatre shows with creative access at the core.
Their outdoor show, Anchored in Air, has toured internationally and nationally to renowned outdoor arts festivals for the last two years. Other highlights include performing at the opening ceremony for Glastonbury Festival, working with renowned companies such as Extraordinary Bodies, Stumble Dance Circus, Cirque Bijou, and playing principal roles in Metta Theatre’s “Little Mermaid”.
Find Tilly on Instagram: @tillylk
Zinnia Oberski
Performer and maker Zinnia Oberski has an extensive movement background, predominantly in circus. She graduated in 2011 with a BTEC from Circomedia and in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in circus from Fontys (Netherlands). Zinnia specialises in static trapeze and also performs and/or teaches handstand, partner acrobatics, dance and physical theatre.
Zinnia’s creative work is multidisciplinary, drawing on a range of styles and techniques. She taps into circus, physical theatre, contemporary dance, ritual, performance art, butoh, and satire to create authentic work that travels beyond the purely visual. She recently created a new clown/bouffon show (FRUITOPIA) and toured her solo aerial show, Dreams of the Small Gods, internationally.
Find Zinnia online: zinniao.comor on Instagram: @zinniao.circusart
