At Theater Tol, every show is a shared experience. Not just between performers and audience – but between artists and the local communities we step into. Over the years, one of the most beautiful evolutions in our work has been inviting locals to step into the performance, quite literally.
In our latest production, Garden of Angels, this connection has taken flight – sometimes over 100 feet above the ground.
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From Spectators to Flyers
With Garden of Angels, we’ve begun working closely with local volunteers who don’t just assist behind the scenes – they soar. In each city, we invite young artists, often from local dance schools, to rehearse and perform with us. These volunteers experience firsthand what it means to be lifted into the sky, becoming part of the aerial choreography that defines the show.
It’s not just symbolic. It’s transformative.
For many of these performers, it’s their first time flying – suspended in a harness, surrounded by light, music, and the collective breath of the crowd below. We’ve watched eyes go wide with wonder, heard the joyful disbelief in their voices after their first flight, and seen confidence blossom mid-air.
The reason this is possible in Garden of Angels is thanks to the unique setup of the show. The performers sit in beautifully designed little chairs, safely secured as they rise into the air. This allows young local artists, even those with limited aerial experience, to be part of the magic.
Of course, not all of our aerial shows work this way. Productions like Pedaleando Hacia el Cielo or Above & Beyond involve a much higher level of technical skill, physical strength, and aerial expertise. In those shows, our performers are not seated – they dance, spin, and perform complex aerial choreography at great heights. These performances require extensive rehearsals, safety knowledge, and a deep familiarity with the equipment, which is why they are entrusted to our highly trained professional team.
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Why We Do It
There’s a profound difference between performing for a community and performing with them. When local dancers join us on stage, something shifts. The show no longer feels like something imported – it becomes rooted in that place. Familiar faces are suddenly lit by theatrical glow. Friends and families in the audience cheer louder. The art becomes personal.
And for us, it keeps the work alive and surprising. Every city brings new energy, new stories, and new artists to collaborate with. No two performances are ever exactly the same.
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A Shared Story
This kind of community engagement isn’t about filling roles. It’s about offering access. About demystifying the idea that performance is only for the few. We believe that everyone – whether they’re trained artists or simply curious souls – deserves the chance to be part of something beautiful.
Garden of Angels has become a vehicle for that belief. In the process, we’ve created not only unforgettable performances, but memories that linger long after the final bow.
Because when someone who lives just down the street becomes an angel in the sky – suspended above their own city, bathed in light and music – that’s not just a show. That’s magic shared.
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Want to bring Theater Tol to your city?
Visit www.theatertol.com or contact Talitha directly at talitha@theatertol.com.