About me.

I’m Jess Allen, an aerialist from rural West Wales. I coach aerialists from across the world online, and teach in-person classes from home, a converted church near Llangrannog in Ceredigion. I’m also part of the team at Syrcas Byd Bach, the circus school at Small World Theatre in Cardigan. Rope (corde lisse) is my consuming passion, but I love sling (hammock) too. I have a background in inclusive practice, dance & somatics. I’m also a certified aerial yoga instructor. Yn wreiddiol o Aberystwyth, dw i’n siarad Cymraeg fel ail iaith.

As a teacher, I like to make aerial accessible & playful: allowing everyone to explore their own unique physicality; nurturing confidence, wellbeing & connection.

As a performer, I like to make work that challenges the superhuman spectacle of circus; that is intimate, fallible & funny.

My background is in dance, improvisation & somatic practice. So I see aerial as dance in vertical space that allows us to explore our own unique physicality in new ways; whether that's focusing on acrobatic skill & performance or gentle stretching & release. I’m particularly interested in how we can find ease & efficiency while moving in relationship with the apparatus & how aerial practices can nurture confidence, wellbeing & connection.

I’ve worked as an aerial performer (harness / counterweight / bungee) for inclusive companies Blue Eyed Soul and EVERYBODY Dance since 2009. I first did rope at a Circus Maniacs intensive in Bristol and instantly fell in love with this apparatus. After a long hiatus while I was completing my PhD, touring aerial dance shows with EVERYBODY and training in aerial yoga, I returned to aerial circus training full time in 2019 with coaching in dynamic rope from Allie Cooper (US) and Alex Allan (UK), Aaron Koz (US) and dynamic sling with Camille Swift (US). 

I’m also an occasional academic with two PhDs, one from Aberystwyth University in microbiology, the other in contemporary performance and eco-activism from the University of Manchester. My activist performance art work is documented over at jessallen.org.uk. I live with my husband Richard Gott & our dog Cai.

Aerial is important to my health. I have an autoimmune inflammatory condition - psoriatic arthritis - & aerial plays a huge role in keeping me mobile & well, alongside diet & sleep. I’m also fascinated by how hormonal cycles & perimenopause can affect aerial training & am happy to talk about this & other intersections between health & aerial.

Relevant qualifications

  • Neurodynamics in Performing Arts (Dr Jen Crane, Cirque Physio, 2022)

  • Instructor Boost 3.0 (Dr Emily Scherb, The Circus Doc, 2022)

  • Consent, Motivation and Alternative Approaches to Circus Pedagogy (Adam Woolley, Proud Coach, 2022)

  • Circus Mobility Cardinal - 6 Month Aerial Coaching Mentorship (Jessica John, US 2022-23)

  • Dynamic Rope Teacher Training (Alex Allan, UK 2020)

  • AeroZen Aerial Yoga Teacher Training (Amy Linda Miller, US 2018) 

  • High Performance Rigging Fundamentals (Brian Donaldson HP Rigging, Circomedia, Bristol 2013)

  • Circus Maniacs Summer Intensive (Rope - Jonathan Priest, Bristol 2009)

  • MA Dance Making and Performance (Dist) (Coventry University 2010)

  • FdA Dance Theatre Performance (University of Plymouth/Bristol Dance Centre 2008)

Download my CV

I have public liability insurance up to £10 million through my Equity membership.