On October 6, Circa Contemporary Circus parades into town with their spectacular LC LIVE production of Humans 2.0. A symphony of acrobatics, sound and light Humans 2.0 is more acrobatic than modern dance and more emotive than cirque. What some of us consider superhuman feats become the simple yet complex story of what it means to be human for all of us.
Libby McDonnell is Head of Design and Engagement for Circa, a troupe that continues to be at the forefront of the new wave of contemporary circus. McDonnell has designed costumes for 33 Circa productions, which is not an easy feat for a company that continually pushes the art form’s boundaries, blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus. She shared with us her process for creating the costumes for Humans 2.0.
“In the development stages I’ll often draft sketches and create mood boards to talk through with Yaron, Circa’s Artistic Director,” says McDonnell. “I’ll then start to assemble items. In the case of Humans 2.0, we sourced from streetwear and off the rack. Then I worked with the wardrobe team to fine-tune those garments.”
Since the performers push their physical limits to the extreme, they need costumes that allow them to execute their tightly woven choreography. McDonnell shares a trade secret to address this, “Elastic gussets are added to shirts so they remain tucked in. Or we’ll get pants in sizes too large and then take the waist in, since acrobats often have larger thighs than civilians, requiring a little extra freedom to bend and move.”
“The costumes need to hold up to the rigors of standing on shoulders and coiling around aerial apparatuses,” continues McDonnell. “Costume design for circus is all about listening closely to the artists, […] and deciphering where on the garments the stresses and strains will be located. I’ve always found it a benefit to have that elementary understanding of body movement and form.”
See McDonnell’s creative costumes on display in what The Berlin Morning Post calls, “…impressive and sophisticated contemporary new Circus at its best.” Circa has toured worldwide—performing in more than 45 countries to nearly 2 million people. Don’t miss your chance to see Humans 2.0 on Sunday, October 6, 2024. Tickets start at $20 and are available online at LCtix.com or by calling The Lincoln Center Box Office at 970-22116730.
Humans 2.0 is commissioned by The Mondavi Center, UC Davis. Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.