Reaching New Heights at Great Lakes Circus Center
Vertical Art Dance had the incredible privilege of bringing a new studio space to life in February 2023! Introducing the Great Lakes Circus Center - opening in March 2023 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
One of the biggest concerns Jen and Katherine had for their space was the existing roof trusses that spanned their entire building. We had to build through the roof trussing which required a lot of planning, man power and extra tools. We were able to maximize the usable height in their space and they are incredibly happy with the finished product. They now have two structures inside of their space. a 19+ foot structure in the main aerial room complete with lower out systems equipped with life safety and rescue gear in the event of an aerial student becoming stuck or entangled. The upstairs loft is a smaller aerial structure that stands 11 feet tall and can be used for aerial yoga or beginner classes such as lyra!
At the end of a long build day, we sat down with co-owner Jen to talk a little bit more about her space and her process designing a custom structure with Vertical Art Dance. Here is what she had to say!
H: “Well Hi Jen! Tell us about yourself and tell us a little bit about your studio business?”
J: “My name is Jen and my partner Katherine and I have been doing circus, I think we calculated a collective of 10 years...and we lost our space and studio and we realized we wanted to step into that hole and keep our community together and so it’s been a wild ride to get here. (It’s been) a lot of hard work for the people we care about.”
H: “When did you guys decide to start your studio and how long has this process been for you?”
J: “Oh! Like…September-ish.” (Giggles)
H: “Oh so pretty fast!”
J": “Yeah! So, um, it’s been a wild ride. Like…cool! How do I run a business!? Here we are!” (Says with another laugh)
H: “There you go!”
H: “Okay so how did you find Vertical Art Dance?”
J: “Um, we did a lot of talking and research on what we wanted to do for rigging in a perfect setting and different options because for a long time we didn’t know what our space would even look like. Then when we got this space we realized there were limited viable rigging points structurally and we came back to you guys, cause we found you in our research and this (custom truss structure) didn’t require us to use the building. All of your great reviews and everything worked with what we had so that’s how we ended up here!”
H: “ What were some of the challenges you were facing when it came to rigging your structure in this space”
J: “There was obviously the existing (roof) trusses that you guys helped us build around. One of our biggest fears was having to drop and go underneath the trusses and lose the height which is part of the reason we chose this space. So, being able to build around that was really nice. And the other challenge was that there just wasn’t a lot of load-bearing structural beams, just the one.”
H: “So why did you end up choosing Vertical Art Dance to build your custom truss structure?”
J: “We really liked that you guys came out here and built it with us. We got to be involved in doing it and learning about it and our staff got to walk away with knowledge and training and feel confident about the care, upkeep and using the equipment. It’s one thing to have equipment and rigging but it’s a totally different thing to have the people using it feel really confident about it.”
H: “How easy was the custom truss design process with Vertical art dance?”
J: “Um, really easy, actually. Being able to send you guys photos and then to have those phone conversations…sometimes late at night…(laughs)…was really important to be able to get what we needed and it took out some of the guesswork (that would have happened with this type of build).
H: “What did you find to be the most valuable product or service for you guys throughout this whole experience...if you could pick one?”
J: “honestly…my top thing was just you guys and the service. The ability work with us around our schedules. I know sometimes setting up those group phone calls was hard and the probelem solving through issues that we didn’t even necessarily know were going to be a problem. That was for me…I mean…equipment is a equipment. It felt more like a partnership.
H: “That’s what we like to hear :)”
H: “How will this custom truss structure improve yur future and the future of your business? I know this is a new business, but how do you imagine this will impact even the start fo yoru business?”
J: “So that one is easy. Honestly having these truss systems in here has given us the ability to have more rigging points that anyone in the area. So it just doubles what we can offer. And then, the way that these truss system grow with us…if we find we have a need for different equipment….if we outrgow the space and need to move, you know that was another big selling point for us is that it can all go with us…so it can grow and change with us as we grow and change.”
H: “If someone was considering using Vertical Art Dance to build a custom truss structure what would you tell them?”
J: “Um, basically all the things I’ve already said (giggles). That they are going to end up getting the rigging system that meets their needs. and be able to work with people who are easy to work with, can change direction and want them to succeed.”
H: “Thank you so much for bringing us here and congratulations on your new space!!”
J: “Thanks!” (Cheering in the background from staff)
We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Great Lakes Circus Center for trusting Vertical Art Dance with all of their aerial rigging and life safety needs. We wish you many, many years of success in your new business!
To follow Great Lakes Circus Center and to see all that they are up to, check out their Instagram and Website.
“We really liked that you guys came out here and built it with us. We got to be involved in doing it and learning about it and our staff got to walk away with knowledge and training and feel confident about the care, upkeep and using the equipment. It’s one thing to have equipment and rigging but it’s a totally different thing to have the people using it feel really confident about it.”