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Hanging by a moment The circus is in town everyday at Spectacle Blue Story by JODY SANDERSON
T
he first thing one notices when walking through the door of Spectacle Blue, is the big black curtain directly in front. It’s enticing, because who doesn’t want to know what’s behind a curtain?
Robin Szuch notices right away, and we sit down in a couple of chairs just in front of the curtain. “We make magic back there,” she says, and smiles. Originally from the ‘hood of Forest Lawn, Robin’s life of dance culminated with a Theatre and Dance Degree from the University of Calgary, which of course meant moving to Toronto. “Everyone in theatre, music, dance, went to Toronto,” says Robin, “because there just wasn’t anything around here to aspire to. My mom told me I always marched to the beat of a different drummer.” She laughs. “My dad asked if this was really a serious career choice!” It was while there, as she made the rounds of auditions and training at night, and plied her skills in accounts payable by day, Robin became interested in physical theatre. “It had to work. I could never have been a ballerina,” laughs Robin. “I have actual legs.” “I saw the flying trapeze at Harbourfront, and put it on my bucket list. My very sensitive boyfriend
Robin Szuch
16 OKOTOKS LIVING | SPRING 2019
at the time, bought me six weeks of training for my birthday.” Robin, who had never even been to a circus, never looked back. The training and auditions stopped, and full on aerial and acrobatic arts became her life. She eventually began working at the school, and dreaming with her dance partner Stacy, of a company of their own. With the encouragement of her very appreciative accounts payable boss, who became her business mentor, the pair built their own outdoor aerial rig. They started small; summer festivals around Southern Ontario, contracting out to other schools and companies. And the word spread. Robin and Stacy have trained, coached and performed on every continent, for over ten years. “But there comes a time, when you become tired of the road. Stacy was dating the owner of a theatre company in Calgary, so we came home. So, naturally, I spent the next five years in veterinary medicine to pay the bills! I loved my work, but I also loved my dog.” A gig in Turner Valley, some time at an emergency vet clinic in Calgary, and the fortuitous meeting of her husband Andy, Robin was ready for a change. “Andy encouraged my to open my own studio. He totally believed in me.” Five years in Okotoks, Spectacle Blue moved to their current location in March, 2017. Classes are available for ages 3-17, and drop in pro-
“WE MAKE MAGIC BACK THERE.”
