ABOUT
Izzi Kessner (they/them) is a circus artist originally from Los Angeles, and currently based in Quebec City. They specialize in aerial rope and acrodance; however, they are well versed in many other aspects of circus arts, including aerial silks, hoop, straps, and dance.
Izzi Kessner (they/them) is a circus artist originally from Los Angeles, and currently based in Quebec City. They specialize in aerial rope and acrodance; however, they are well versed in many other aspects of circus arts, including aerial silks, hoop, straps, and dance.
Izzi strives to share stories of identity and authenticity through contemporary circus. They are interested in questioning traditional form and practice in their circus storytelling, and exploring how aspects of their transgender identity inform their creation.
Izzi strives to share stories of identity and authenticity through contemporary circus. They are interested in questioning traditional form and practice in their circus storytelling, and exploring how aspects of their transgender identity inform their creation.
They have performed across the United States, including as a guest artist for the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival, in Las Vegas as part of a traveling anti-bullying circus show, and on ABC7’s 2020 LGBTQ Pride special, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Los Angeles Pride.
They have performed across the United States, including as a guest artist for the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival, in Las Vegas as part of a traveling anti-bullying circus show, and on ABC7’s 2020 LGBTQ Pride special, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Los Angeles Pride.
In 2022, they collaborated with Nike, sharing their love of air and aerial for Nike’s new Air Max campaign. They were featured on the front page of Nike.com, as well as on their app and social media pages.
In 2022, they collaborated with Nike, sharing their love of air and aerial for Nike’s new Air Max campaign. They were featured on the front page of Nike.com, as well as on their app and social media pages.
They have partnered with numerous nonprofit organizations to further this work, including a Board Member of the American Youth Circus Organization/American Circus Educators. Izzi also creates circus short films, exploring how the art form can be transformed to fit an online atmosphere. Two of their short films have been selected as the Under 18 category winners of the Circus International Film Festival, in 2021 and 2022, and in 2023 they are on the Jury for the Under 18 film category.
They have partnered with numerous nonprofit organizations to further this work, including a Board Member of the American Youth Circus Organization/American Circus Educators. Izzi also creates circus short films, exploring how the art form can be transformed to fit an online atmosphere. Two of their short films have been selected as the Under 18 category winners of the Circus International Film Festival, in 2021 and 2022, and in 2023 they are on the Jury for the Under 18 film category.
Photos by (top to bottom) Lucille Audoineau-Maire, Brit Keyser, Sam ChinHeading by Hilary Packard