Circus Glory wants to share the voices of the students who keep on coming back for more Circus Glory. Today the spotlight is on Luciano Rila, a student for 9 years now!
When he's not on the trapeze performing fluid routines and beautiful poses he is a lecturer of Mathematics at UCL and is a founder of the UCL LGBTQ+ STEM network, an advocate for equality, creating a supportive environment where queer expression is visible aiming to broaden perceptions of LGBTQ+ identities.
Over the years Luciano has been a very entertaining student. His approach to learning is very precise and clean. Mathematic. He is not a student who requires a lot of tricks, new tricks, more tricks! Luciano likes to work to perfection the moves he chooses which is exciting for a teacher!
What attracted you to the circus and the trapeze?
I just wanted to have some fun. My first ever aerial experience was on static trapeze so I was hooked from the start.
How did you get into trapeze- what was your first introduction to trapeze?
One of my friends lived with a trapeze artist who had a rigged trapeze in the warehouse where they lived. She offered me a trapeze lesson in exchange for some yoga tips.
What do you remember about your first-ever class? What did you go away feeling?
Yes! I was fascinated by being upside down.
How long have you been doing Trapeze?
11 years and I’ve been going to Circus Glory for 9 years.
With one word describe your personal experience on the trapeze
Freedom
What's your favourite thing about trapeze?
To me, it has grown into a parallel world to my life.
We've talked before about trapeze and its positive impact on mental health- after a trapeze class how do you feel?
Alive!
Is there anything you learn from Trapeze that you apply to the outside of class?
I definitely think trapeze informs my life outside but as a counterpoint to a more mundane experience.
As a non-circus performer how included have you felt within the circus world?
To some extent, yes. I go to a lot of circus shows and you ended up knowing people in the circus scene.
As a gay man how accepted have you felt within the circus world?
Very but I’m surprised about how queer expression is not so common in the mainstream circus.
inverted crucifix
Which colour describes circus best for you?
Red (for filth)
Thank you Luciano for talking to us! Circus may feel intimidating to get into at first, but it is a place that invites freedom, and a childish playfulness for you to distress and express yourself. We always look forward to seeing Luciano continue to learn and perfect the trapeze! We hope that people looking for a place to express themselves find Circus Glory!
