BACKYARD@NECCA presents: IMPETUS Cast

Julian McTaggart (ProTrack year 3)
Julian specializes in Aerial Straps and Hand Balancing, as well as being an avid tumbler. Julian grew up in Vermont, pursuing artistic and athletic endeavors from a young age. He has always had an ambitious mindset, and strives to become the best version of himself, in whatever he chooses to apply himself to. He was accepted into NECCA's professional program just 4 months after being introduced to circus, and has been pursuing it ever since. He enjoys drinking earl grey tea on cold mornings. julianmctaggart.com @julianacrobat
Kalista Russell (ProTrack year 3)
Kalista Russell has been doing circus arts since the age of 10 years old and has had a love of being in the air ever since. Having trained with coaches from Trapeze Arts, Kinetic Arts Center, and the National Circus school in Montreal throughout the years, she was accepted into the New England Center for Circus Arts ProTrack Program with a specialization in lyra and aerial rope. With a blend of musicality, flexibility, and dynamics, she loves telling stories through her pieces and connecting with her audiences. Instagram: kalista.g.r
Lily Hochstetter (ProTrack year 3)
Lily Hochstetter is a 21 year old aerialist, specializing in dance trapeze and aerial fabric. Lily grew up in Stuart, Florida before moving to Brattleboro, Vermont at 18 to train at NECCA. She was also a competitive gymnast for 7 years before transitioning to circus. In the future, she hopes to tour professionally with companies like Cirque du Soleil, or perform on cruise ships. www.lilyhochstetter.squarespace.com
Locksley MacLean (ProTrack year 3)
Locksley MacLean is a Canadian circus artist specializing as a tight wire dancer and bungee artist. She got her start in acrobatics and performing at the young age of three when she started as a gymnast. She combines her love for the sport of gymnastics and the artistry and creativity of circus into a unique medley in her acts. Locksley is currently training at the New England Center for Circus Arts. She is in the third year and final year of their professional program Protrack, where she majors in tight wire and minors in bungee. Along with tight wire and bungee she has also trained as a partner acrobatic base, aerial hoop, teeter board pusher, dance, and theatre. instagram @locksonwire / www.locksleymaclean.com
Owen Leonard (ProTrack year 3)
Owen Leonard is a creative circus artist, from Sarasota Florida, specializing in Aerial Hoop with his unique style of dynamics and flexibility. Owen has been training in the circus arts for the past 16 years under master coaches from institutions such as l’École Nationale de Cirque, Cirque du Soleil and the New England Center for Circus Arts. While he started his career in traditional circus, Owen has since trained and performed in contemporary circus and is comfortable across all mediums. In addition to being a professional circus artist, Owen is also an accomplished lighting designer and operator. Learn more at: www.OwenLeonard.com
Ren Carter-Tucker (ProTrack year 3)
Hailing from Tucson, Arizona, Ren Carter-Tucker has always enjoyed putting a smile on peoples faces. Performing since age eight, she danced her way through her teen years, until finally encountering circus. Wowed by the possibilities, she immediately began learning anything and everything—including her favorite disciplines, fabric and Chinese pole. Ren began training with the Circus Academy of Tucson; she then trained with Circus Smirkus and the New England Center for Circus Arts. She will be graduating from their ProTrack Program in 2021, and can’t wait to see what's next! Keep up with Ren at rencartertucker.com (http://rencartertucker.com), or @justrenisfine