Introduction: The Unthinkable Becomes Possible
For most performers, their dreams have a clear boundary. A dancer dreams of mastering choreography on the stage; a classical musician envisions playing in concert halls, perhaps with the added thrill of international stages. Aerialists, of course, train to soar, but most often indoors, confined by studio ceilings. Classical singers? Not a chance they’d ever imagine singing Ave Maria while suspended mid-air, their voices carrying across an open space.
But Theater Tol breaks these boundaries in the most spectacular way. At Tol, performers do the unthinkable – they fly. They perform in the open sky, with breathtaking sets and grand displays that defy the traditional limits of performance art. For them, the impossible becomes their reality.
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The Aerialist’s Dream
While aerialists train to fly, the reality is often more grounded. They usually do so mostly in controlled environments like theaters or circuses. But at Theater Tol, those aerial dreams are taken to new heights – literally. The performers fly outside above their audience, their acrobatic movements set against the backdrop of cityscapes, grand squares, and even natural settings.
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- Q&A with an Natasha Henry – Aerialist at Theater Tol: What does it take to prepare for a performance where you’ll be flying in front of hundreds of people, sometimes in unpredictable weather? What is the sensation of performing mid-air with the world beneath you?
“Performing up to 25 meters in the air takes more than just physical strength. You need full-body control, mental focus, and total trust – trust in the riggers, the equipment, and the whole team around you. With Tol, you’re outdoors, so weather becomes part of the challenge. I’ve performed through wind, rain, blazing sun… and you just learn to adapt.
But once I’m lifted off the ground, it all shifts. The noise of the world fades, and it feels like flying – free, powerful, and calm at the same time. Every move counts. Even from that height, you feel the audience. You catch their eyes, see them react, and that energy pushes you further. It’s intense, beautiful, and no two shows are ever the same.”
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Classical Music Meets the Sky
Imagine a classical musician, used to the structured, reverent atmosphere of a concert hall, playing outside on an open stage. Imagine them being part of a grand performance that not only involves their instrument but the whole environment – flying musicians, dancers, and aerial performers sharing the same space. This is the magic of Theater Tol, where music, dance, and theater come together in an entirely new form. The traditional sound of a violin is now carried through the wind, resonating across vast spaces, creating an experience like no other.
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- Q&A with a Bram Van Eenoo – Violinist at Theater Tol: How does the environment influence your playing when you’re not in a traditional concert hall? How do you adapt your performance to the open air, where sound carries differently?
“When you’re playing in the air, the wind becomes one of the biggest challenges. It’s difficult to keep my bow steady on the violin. On top of that, feathers and other things rain down from the dancers above, and streamers shoot out from the truss. I’ve had them get stuck between me and the violin! Add to that the occasional rain, and you’ve got quite a cocktail of challenging conditions.
But despite all that, there’s a freedom I never get in classical orchestras. At Tol, I can improvise, use effects, and completely let myself go with the music, shaping the sound in the moment. That kind of creative liberty is rare for classical musicians, and it’s part of what makes performing with Tol so special.”
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Dancing in the Air: A Whole New Stage
No dancer begins their training imagining that one day they’ll take flight. Studios are built with mirrors and floors, not harnesses and sky. Yet at Theater Tol, dancers trade their grounded routines for choreography suspended above city squares, festival grounds, and unfamiliar landscapes. The air becomes the stage – vast, unpredictable, and endlessly inspiring.
- Q&A with a Paola Zampierolo, dancer with Theater Tol: How is dancing in the air different from performing on stage? What physical or mental adjustments did you have to make, and what continues to surprise you about aerial performance?
“Dancing in the air is a completely different experience from the stage. On stage, dancers usually rehearse and perform facing one direction, with the audience sitting in front of them, creating a clear, stable perspective. But in aerial performance, especially in a show like Pedaleando Hacia el Cielo, we’re often flying in every direction. We don’t have the usual “support” from fellow dancers, as we’re mostly back-to-back in the air, and the disorientation can be intense. Add to that the fact that we’re spinning and twirling while carrying things to throw down at the audience – it’s a lot going on, physically and mentally.
Performing in the dark adds another challenge – when you’re high up, it’s hard to judge your position. But the thrill of flying above thousands of people never gets old. It’s still an incredible rush after all these years!”
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Defying Limits, Creating Magic
Performing with Theater Tol isn’t just a job; it’s an experience unlike anything most artists could have ever imagined. Whether it’s dancing in the air, singing in the wind, or playing classical music in an open square, Theater Tol has made the impossible possible. For every performer, the thrill comes from stepping into the unknown – doing things that no one thought they’d ever do, and creating art in places where others would never imagine performing.
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Collaborate with us!
Theater Tol continues to push the boundaries of performance. If you’re ready to be part of something extraordinary, let’s collaborate! Reach out to us at talitha@theatertol.com or visit our website to learn more about our shows and opportunities: www.theatertol.com – @theatertol
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