Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Siech.
Hi Kristen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi my name is Kristen Siech of Kristen Sparrow Circus, and I’m a circus performer and costume designer. I’ve been creating, sewing and sharing my odd passion since I was a little girl. I started out still-walking with a pair of stilts that my dad hand made for me, and I started sewing when I was in elementary school, right away I was hooked! Aside from the fact that I was already just a short little girl who wanted to be taller, stilt-walking brought so much joy to my life, so many smiles and I loved it! As to the designing piece of my life-I was taught the basics of sewing by my mother and grandmother. I loved the idea of fully making my own clothes. Taking the fabric, cutting it from scratch, and seeing my hard work come to life. The best feeling about wearing something that you made yourself is when somebody asks you where are you got it and you get to proudly say “I made this!” As I grow older I develop my own style and I decided that I wanted to be known for my intricate customizable reversible detailed pieces why have one, when you can have two in one? I became pretty obsessed with weird skills, talents, and designing and making clothing. Next to come was a professional pogo stick after begging my dad for one I saw in the store. That was a blast I think I became drawn to these odd skills at such an early age it really shaped who I’ve become, along with some extremely supportive elementary school teachers-Mrs. Lori Pratt Mrs. McGinnis, Mrs. Sweeney, and Coach Dugan at the time teaching at “Atlantic Beach Elementary” to name a few. These particular teachers along with some others allowed me to be creative nurtured that drive and passion. These teachers took the time to teach us interesting skills and really cared taught me how to weave baskets in school. I made poseable bears in class and started a line of clothing for them for the rest of my classmates. I even went so far as to make couches for these bears to sit on. I believe it’s because of my already creative and supportive family (my dad did a lot of woodworking making many of our Furniture pieces still in the house today, and my mother who did craft shows for a while as well as sewing and creating beautiful blankets for my brothers, (Michael my oldest brother, Andrew my twin, and Daniel my little brother) and myself as kids. I could see her putting her love into each stitch. I believe my family in addition with these wonderful teachers gave me a safe space to create a nurture that talent curiosity and passion, It’s also the reason why I believe arts are so important in schools!
I made dresses to school middle school dances, and proudly wore my creations! In high school, I found a love of “Gothic fashion” The Gothic subculture is marked by its emphasis on individualism, tolerance for (sexual) diversity, a strong emphasis on creativity, a dislike of social conservatism. How many people assume Gothic means depressed it’s not true for everyone I just love the fashion, the crazy amounts of details the creativity the epic powerful feeling I got strutting around in my outfits with my friends. The bard William Shakespeare wrote “ all the world’s a stage“ It felt really powerful and exciting to dress up find my character, and put together these intricate outfits, mixing textiles patterns, textures, and pounds of jewelry that I also made an mainly all black with pops of color as burgundy and black are my two favorite colors together.
I love making metal boned corsets and jackets, Whipping them together so quickly the day before then showing up laced and ready Layering it over lace blouses, pairing them with skirts I’d make. I developed my own pirate goth look -This “Neo-Gothic pirate frock coat was my absolute favorite piece. In my opinion “A good jacket, can fix any outfit!”
My favorite pirates coat was made over Thanksgiving break one year I began to wear it every single day is obsessed with The swashbuckling rogue pirates of old watching movies with dashing Errol Flynn course the notorious pirate Captain Jack Sparrow!
After years running around high school in my pirate coat every day, it only seem natural to also want to be a mermaid. I became a Pirate Mermaid named Kristen Sparrow in 2010. After graduating high school I took occasional gigs performing at parties as a mermaid swimming in tails-(Tails and tops and accessories by the way which I made-of fabric silicone and shells, eco-friendly of course! When I saw the joy I was able to bring to other people’s lives that was it for me!
I worked in Men’s Wearhouse a very long time I was Men’s Wearhouse is the youngest employee in the beginning of my career with them I was 15 years old designing weddings, In 2008 I was awarded top tux team in our region.
Shaking hands with George Zimmer owner and famous for his quote “You’re going to like the way you look, I guarantee it!” I’ve even designed 3 different wedding dresses for some clients along the way just out of high school. Designing people’s wedding looks and looks for their jobs, being an assistant manager, wardrobe consultant, and having the ability to tailor- I was able to use these creative skills and eye for fashion in the “real world”. I worked hard I even got the opportunity to work alongside my mom and we killed it together! We could “sell ice to a polar bear” because we are so passionate and honest and have the skills necessary to back up what we were doing. For instance say somebody needs a suit last minute- as all men do (sorry guys you always come in last minute lol) Well if you worked with either of us you got real lucky, as we both sew! So not only are we going to help you look the best, pick out an incredible outfit, or several for you, but we’re gonna also tailor that outfit on site as soon as possible ourselves. So that backlog of other tailoring work that came in ahead of you-wouldn’t be a problem.
In 2010 I discovered alternative fitness from vertical fitness instructors at “V.I.P. wemons dance” Rebecca White and Lynn Green, Their firecracker energy passion drive and all over badassery- just made you want to be around them just made you feel like you could do anything! Friends to this day with Rebecca or Becca as she’s known – she is very supportive, and empowering to everyone she meets. And I would not have discovered this whole world of alternative fitness which opened the door to aerial and circus fitness classes and set me on my path in life. I took other Alternative fitness classes when I could learning some Aerial fitness in 2014. I loved it at this point in my life though I was very busy, working, working working.
After Going thru the loss of my little brother Daniel in 2016, who was incredible! Daniel worked soo hard and somehow, still managed to find time for fun kayaking fishing mountain biking skateboarding surfing everything absolutely everything I thought that was so cool he knew what he wanted to do he worked hard and somehow still found time to have fun, something I was having trouble squeezing into my life more than a couple times a year so I decided to leave Mens wearhouse and run off and join the circus! I took a different job working less demanding hours and chased my dreams found what made my smile, I took more classes at another circus school Saltaer Jax Beach Circus Arts. I was that student that was unlimited every month I loved it I needed more of it in my life, It’s so addicting and fun that adrenaline rush you get from a drop -absolutely incredible! I was already very strong my entire life weightlifting was awesome in high school and I Love to climb trees or anything as a kid-And still do. I remember this one time I beat a marine in a pull up contest. The guy gave me the shirt off his back which was dripping with sweat, I still have it to this day shirt says “pain is weakness leaving the body” I think I kind of read that and it kind of made me want to be stronger and stronger than the boys, girls don’t have to be considered weak, just because we’re girls. So anyways I ran off to find What made me happy and coined the phrase, and my business motto “Chase your smile and share it with the world!”-Kristen Siech.
Over the years I learned aerial acrobatics. Then I had an major injury it was an accident things happen, I fell and broke both of My wrists and an aerial accident. “ my first words after we’re “ it’s ok I’m a t-Rex” haha I laughed adrenaline was coursing through my body I’m sure. It was a beautiful day on March 1 2018, no regrets -I learned who my real friends were and I made some lifelong connections with others! Bilateral wrist displacement was no joke it Required physical therapy for 8 months, and I couldn’t work at my “Muggle job” lol a word many of us in the performing world like to call or 9-5 type jobs. Four days out of surgery, Home from the hospital I just had to know “can I still do pull ups?” I know crazy right?! So I climbed up on my weight bench up to the pull-up bar with new pins screws and titanium in my wrists And give it a shot I couldn’t really feel it at the time let’s just blame adrenaline or thank it. I cranked out a few then stoped. My circus Sister -A new permanent family member Margaret Wilson or Meg for short-fellow Circus artist. Moved into my dads house With me to help take care of me after surgery I couldn’t use my arms my wrist couldn’t lift anything I couldn’t brush my hair couldn’t wipe anything… Bathe myself cook any food for myself Lift anything, it took time how to regain strength and movement in my wrists and hands.
One of the photographers that I made lifelong friends with on that day of my accident was Dan Compton he invited me out so I could get out of the house. I was going crazy bored alone with Meg wasn’t there, he invited me to a Mermaid event with The Florida springs mermaids in Central Florida at Alexander Springs I’d never been to Spring before, surprisingly. He thought it would just be a fun thing for me to do hang out with these fun girls, he didn’t know then but I also had my own mermaid tails and swim in them before this so I showed up with a brand new mermaid tail but I sewed up days before and the next week he invited me again to a birthday party with one of the Mermaid girls and I showed up in a silicone mermaid tale that I made-I consider that part of my therapy. It was self imposed physical therapy squeezing out each silicone bead was tough in my hand didn’t really have the full strength just yet. I molded each scale one by one and there was a lot it was a lot of fun to make ! I’m glad I met these wonderful and supportive girls there’s soo many but to name a few: Amy, Bonnie, Chelsea, Lori, Casey, Donna, Ariel, and more!
More of my own self imposed therapy was to learn how to juggle. I figured my hands don’t know how to do anything right now this is the perfect time to learn a new skill let’s do it! Getting my wrist to turn palms up was Already part of my physical therapy I just added some balls lightweight easy and added some coordination. Fun fact juggling creates new neural pathways in your brain! Learning this new skill brought more joy to my life.
Since I still couldn’t worked at my “Muggle job” When fellow circus performer Ian Of Danger fun entertainment Reached out to me to see if I could work some still jobs for him I said yes I love Stiltwalking dancing around on my now taller peg stilts getting attention having a blast I didn’t really need my hands for that I don’t have to lift anything So once again Circus save my life I was able to make a living again not being able to work a regular job for eight months was pretty hard but thankfully I lived with my dad so family was there for me!
Eight months after my injuries, I did finally return to work, and continue to work on the weekends as a circus performer. I got back in the air Performing aerial acrobatics, Stiltwalking of course, fire performing, mermaid-ing, and now juggling! My dad just loves my fire axes and knives that I juggle these days lol! Events got bigger and bigger and more frequent, working mostly corporate events with Savannah based circus troop run, by my amazing friend Jamie Lynn Failing “Stardust Pixxies!” With the increased amount of events and regularity of it all eventually decided to go full-time Circus. I opened my own Circus company Filed my D.B.A. “Kristen Sparrow Circus”and have been chasing my smile ever since! Even though I have my own company I still work freelance for other Circus companies as well like the Stardust Pixxies and danger fun entertainment many of the performers I know do this it’s a very close tight-knit community networking is key! We all try to look out for each other. Both Jamie and myself make all of our own costumes for our Performers Including each other Often we collaborate and come up with these incredible designs.
I love that not only do I perform train and put all my heart into this job but I also am able to share my passion for sewing and creating these unique costumes -these reversible costumes, functional costumes for acrobats that need certain stretch in certain places. I can bring this to my Circus business and make it next level! It is an act of love to create these costumes it’s my passion to share my smile and my art and skills with the world, and I am grateful for every moment of it! My biggest piece of advice is to not let anything stop don’t let anything hold you back, you can do anything you put your mind to and work hard for, but you have to put the work in! When my doctor cautiously warned me that I might not be able to use my wrists again more specifically my right hand again- I said “challenge accepted! I will fly again!”and fought to return to the air to my circus goals. So with that I urge you to “Chase your smile and share it with the world!”- Kristen Siech of Kristen Sparrow Circus. ❤️🎪#circuseverydamnday
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I mentioned before they were definitely some obstacles I had to figure out how to run my own business how to obtain clients book gigs. Manage business while also training and performing and making all the costumes finding the time wearing all of these hats was challenging. It’s a balancing act for sure pun intended. Breaking both of my wrists was not in the plan but it certainly gave me Time to work on more skills like juggling learning that with two broken wrist was fun but my wrist and know how to do anything at that point so I figured it was a good time. Being female in any industry comes with its own challenges, assumptions are made men are chosen over women for certain skills on the other hand- women are more so chosen for Aerial skills in this industry too. I remember a handful of times where somebody wanted to book a still walker but because I was a female they didn’t want me They figured females still walkers don’t wear pants and they don’t want it to look too sexy well I did have to take it upon myself to kindly point out that women have the ability to wear pants these days as well.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kristen Sparrow Circus ?
Kristen Sparrow Circus offers a variety Entertainment for events big and small! We offer a variety of skills and work with many performers
My personal skills include:
Stilt-walking
Aerial acrobatics on multiple apparatuses (aerial silks hammock, Mega Cube, Lyra, Trapeze, Lyra ladder, Net, Lollipop-stage-pole)
Juggling 3: balls, clubs, a variety of sharp looking weapons, or fire!
Fire dancing
Pirate cosplay
Mermaid performance in realistic silicone or fabric tail
Costume designing
Mermaid Tail design and fabrication
Aerial acrobatics on multiple apparatuses (aerial silks hammock, Mega Cube, Lyra, Trapeze, Lyra ladder, Net, Lollipop-stage-pole)
Juggling 3: balls, clubs, a variety of sharp looking weapons, or fire!
Fire dancing
Pirate cosplay
Mermaid performance in realistic silicone or fabric tail
Costume designing
Mermaid Tail design and fabrication
Penny farthing bike rider
And more!
We also offer custom costume design.
What sets us apart is that not many performers also make their own costumes let alone for an entire cast of performers often last minute and fast! There are some that do, some add bling and up-cycle, But I’m known for custom reversible clothing with intricate details and purposeful designs that match the movement needed for the performer.
I’m most proud when I see the returned smiles on my guests and clients faces. That wow that shock when they realize what we’ve done or what I’ve made for their event custom costumes or acts that we’ve built. As performers we live off that energy that you give back to us when we perform for you, it’s your cheering it’s your energy it’s your smile it’s your shouting that gives us the energy to give you the best show possible! So the next time you see a show if you see something you like tell them show them give them your appreciation believe me it will make a difference!
For more information and booking please contact us at
https://www.kristensparrowcircus.com/
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
There are many Facebook groups of costumers performers and just all these communities or we can all collaborate talk and inspire each other and say these are the resources that most help me to the best in life inspire me! There’s one particular costume designer and circus performer who inspires the hell out of me is long-time World-renowned circus performer Gena Shvartsman Cristiani : Artist, performer, designer, Lover of The Arts! Please take a moment to look her up!
I would also say I can’t get enough of the pause button when I’m watching movies with these fantastical costumes I have to post them because I want to sit here and stare at these details that they’ve put into these elaborate works of art and these inspire me. I live in a world of fantasy and creation what better place than in the movies. I’d also say that I am a professional big kid I keep that childlike energy and spirit that smile, and try not to let anything stop me from reaching my goals. Age is just a number it’s your spirit, it’s your mind, it’s how are you feel, and honestly a body in motion will stay in motion so I try to keep these things in mind!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristensparrowcircus.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kristen_sparrow_circus
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristenSparrowCircus
- Youtube: https://vimeo.com/showcase/9441527
- Other: https://linqapp.com/KristenSparrowCircus
Image Credits
Images by many photographers eldymendezphotography Christopher failing Dan Compton fire Cory Gainer Chad Jones – Parrot island water park
