mission statement

We are interested in growing a repertoire of circus opera and circus classical music through collaboration with interdisciplinary artists and organizations. We enable projects that expand the boundaries of what constitutes an operatic stage, by creating site-specific pieces that utilize non-traditional spaces. By moving this medium into non-traditional spaces, we strive to make opera and circus more accessible, and engage new audiences that would not typically attend opera or circus performances. We create educational workshops that teach future generations how to synthesize movement and music.

COco's first circus opera, THE TIRE SWING recently won the Five Star Fringie Award for the top-rated show in the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Other recent projects include an Acro Piano Duet, premiered at the Kimmel Center as part of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Orchestra After Five pre-concert series. We brought the art song, VELVET SHOES to new heights as an aerial silks piece for soprano at the 2024 Hand to Hand Festival at FringeArts. Our piece THROUGH HOOPS (for soprano on Lyra and piano) was featured in Watermelon Bathtub’s BODIES, and won a Fringie Award at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in the Circus category. 

Casie Girvin is an interdisciplinary storyteller, singer, actor, acrobat, and devisor. She has performed with companies such as the Arden Theatre Company, Capital Repertory Theatre, Rough and Tumble Productions, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Albany Pro Musica, Maples Repertory Theatre, to list a few. Her favorite roles include “Charlotte” in CHARLOTTE’S WEB, “John Webster” in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, “Despina” in COSÌ FAN TUTTE, and “Edith” in SIX AUTUMNS ON THE HUDSON. She has two solo cabarets, TORCHED and WHAT IS A CABARET, MY FRIENDS?! that have been performed in various venues across New York and Philadelphia, and devises new cabarets seasonally through her residency at Mister John’s Music. 

Casie grew up as a competitive gymnast, and pivoted to circus arts in 2022 after training at The Actors Gymnasium Circus School. Following her studies there, Casie trained at the Pig Iron School through their summer session, focusing on Lecoq, clown, commedia dell'arte, and physical theatre. She has also worked as a stunt actor and stunt choreographer for projects on stage and screen, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and National Comcast commercials. 

Casie has a private voice studio, and coaches gymnastics and circus arts. She holds faculty positions at The Circadium School of Contempoary Circus, and the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts (Head of Acrobatics.) Casie has a B.M. in Classical Vocal Performance from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. 

www.casiegirvin.com @casiegirvin  

Steven Crino is a composer and pianist that seeks to tell relevant stories through emotionally rich and intimate music. His music has been described as “stunningly beautiful, heartfelt, lush, and delicate.” He has written two award-winning operas, countless songs, choral music, chamber music and orchestral music. Steven actively seeks out collaboration with living writers and interdisciplinary artists. 

In addition to the numerous soloists who have commissioned Steven’s music, his works have been premiered by The Podcast Opera Company, The Boston New Music Initiative, and The Silk Ruby Trio. He is the winner of The Aural Compass Projects' Emerging Composer Competition, and the 3rd place winner in the 2021 American Prize. He is also the recipient of the Richard M. Duris Scholarship for Excellence in Classical Music.

Steven is an adjunct faculty member at Temple University, where he teaches courses in Music Theory and Music History. He received his Doctoral Degree from the Peabody Institute, where he also completed degrees in Composition (M.M.) and Theory Pedagogy (M.M.). Steven includes among his mentors Michael Hersch, Kevin Puts, Omar Thomas, and Benjamin C.S. Boyle.

www.stevencrino.com

@stevecrino

Nicole Renna is a singer, director, writer, voice teacher, and creative producer working in Philadelphia. She has extensive experience performing in musical theater, cabaret, and opera. Favorite roles include Amalia in SHE LOVES ME and Miss Dorothy in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. She debuted her solo cabaret RENNAISSANCE last summer at the Perch Music and Arts Workshop and serves as a creative consultant to actors seeking to create their first solo works.

Nicole is the Producing Artistic Director of ENAensemble, staging performances of their Serial Opera Project and mentoring singers, composers, and librettists who work with the ensemble. She teaches the Musical Theatre Vocal Workshop at the Walnut Street Theatre and private voice lessons to beginners and pros alike! She holds a M.M. in Voice Performance from Temple University and a B.M. in Music Education from Rutgers University. For more info visit nicolerenna.net