Local acrobats hope to perform at a Utah Jazz game and they’re asking for your help
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IDAHO FALLS — A local acrobat troupe whose gaining popularity is hoping to broaden their reach to audience members farther south.
Stasia Acrobats coach Aric Nelson, along with his crew of 20, are hoping to do this by earning a spot as the Utah Jazz vs. Charlotte Hornets pregame act. The acrobats have to sell $2,500 worth of Jazz game tickets to earn the spot. The game will be at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City April 1.
“I want to go down there and introduce our art form to another new group of fans,” Nelson says.
So far the troupe has sold to friends and family but they want to sell more tickets to members of the community.
Nelson says other groups from the area have been able to go down and do similar performances, but the small size of his group poses a challenge. Stasia is made up of four boys and 16 girls from ages nine to 34 years old.
“It is a daunting task. Other groups…they have huge groups. Some of the dance studios have 200 to 300 people,” Nelson says. “We’re just a very small group of circus performers.”
Despite the difficulties, Nelson says they’re used to taking on daunting tasks.
If the group raises enough money, they will perform 30 minutes before the game right after the basketball players warm up. Nelson says that’s when the crowd starts to pour in. Lower bowl seating will be available during the 6-minute pregame performance.
“A lot of people do show up so (we) have a good opportunity to reach a new group of people to show them what our art form is,” says Nelson.
The routine is based around the song ‘The Greatest Show” from the 2017 film “The Greatest Showman.” Nelson says their routine will include hand balancing and pyramid work.
“A lot of hand balancing on chairs, and boxes and stools and people,” Nelson says.
The group recently performed their act during a half-time show for Idaho State University’s women’s basketball game during their Big Sky Conference. That performance led to another opportunity for the troupe in Boise.
“It was so well received. The crowd just absolutely loved it,” Nelson says. “The Big Sky Tournament people loved it too.”
Tickets start at $28. If you’d like to purchase tickets, visit this link, or head to their website or Facebook page.