Aerial and Cirque Performances: From Rehearsal to Stage

When the lights come up and a flyer rises into the air, the audience sees a few minutes of artistry. What they don't see are the weeks and months that went into it.

At InFlyte Entertainment, performances are a big part of who we are. Here's a look at how an aerial act goes from a single skill to the stage, and how you can catch our flyers in action around Hudson.

Skills Are the Building Blocks

Every routine starts with skills students have already learned in class: climbs, wraps, poses, spins and drops. Performers choose skills they can execute cleanly and consistently, because the goal is a routine that's polished and repeatable, not just impressive once.

Music and Choreography

Next comes music. The song sets the mood and pacing, and choreography is built to match its rhythm and emotion. Performers and coaches work together to place skills where the music builds, slows or changes.

On our Competition Team, routines are primarily choreographed for each performer. On our Performance Team and in showcases, flyers often bring more of their own creativity, with coaches offering corrections and suggestions to improve flow.

Storytelling Through Movement

InFlyte loves a good story. Our productions have included Pan, Oz, an adult Alice showcase, our annual aerial Nutcracker, and the adult Halloween showcase Whispers of WhoVille.

In these shows, flyers aren't just performing tricks. They're playing characters, and every movement helps tell the story.

Rehearsal and Endurance

A three-minute aerial routine is physically demanding. Performers rehearse sections, then run the full piece again and again to build the endurance to finish strong. Rehearsal also builds confidence, so nerves don't take over on show day.

Our teams begin each season with an intensive week in August, where students put their routines together in a short, focused period.

Costumes and Staging

Costumes in aerial have to look great and work safely in the air. They need to stay in place when inverted, avoid snagging and allow full movement. Staging, lighting and the order of performances all shape the audience experience.

Different Ways We Perform

InFlyte flyers perform in many settings:

• Flymester showcases, where students share what they've learned each season

• Adult showcases, like our October Halloween show

• Productions, such as the Nutcracker

• Community performances at events like Celebrate Hudson, Downtown Trick-or-Treat, the Holiday Stroll and ArtsFest

• Competitions, where our Competition Team travels out of state

Coming to a Show

Studio showcases at 23 Park Street often have limited seating, so buying tickets in advance is a good idea. Community performances around downtown Hudson are usually free and open to everyone.

You don't need to know anything about aerial to enjoy a show. Just bring your curiosity and cheer loudly.

Find Upcoming Performances

See what's coming up on our Performances page, and check our Important Dates for showcase and production dates. Want a preview? Visit Watch Us Fly.

Interested in Performing?

Students who want to perform can start with showcases and explore our Performance Team and Competition Team.

Questions? Email inflyteentertainment@gmail.com or call (978) 618-7816.

See You at the Show

Every performance is a celebration of the work, courage and creativity of our flyers. We'd love to have you in the audience.