New U of I aerial arts course open to students, public

MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts is launching Introduction to Aerial Arts, a new course open to U of I students and members of the public age 18 and older who are interested in trying a new form of movement, performance and exercise.

The course is offered as both a U of I theatre course and a Continuing Adult Professional Education (CAPE) course through Keep Learning Idaho, which is aimed at community members seeking to learn new skills. Members of the public may enroll through CAPE without being admitted to U of I.

Community participants enrolled through CAPE will meet once a week, while the U of I students will meet twice a week. During the shared session, participants will learn to use aerial fabrics, including aerial sling and silks, and rigid apparatus, including lyra — also known as aerial hoop — and dance trapeze. During their second weekly session, U of I students will practice ground circus skills, including hand balancing, juggling, wire walking and German wheel, as well as physical theatre.

The public course meets from 7:30-9:20 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 1 to Nov. 3, at the Hartung Theater on the Moscow campus. The $250 course is open to adults age 18 and older, and no previous aerial arts or movement experience is required. Participants may register through the Keep Learning Idaho course page.

“I am extremely passionate about bringing aerial arts to the larger U of I community because it has changed my outlook on life, helped me recognize my mental and physical strength, increased my capacity to do difficult things and given me a fun way to build strength and stay active,” said Sarah Fogarty-Morrison, associate professor of theatre and faculty advisor for the U of I Aerial Arts Club.

Shelby McCahon, former president of the Aerial Arts Club, is co-instructing the new course with Fogarty-Morrison. She said the club has expanded significantly since she co-founded it in 2023.

“The Aerial Arts Club started with a small group of U of I graduate students and faculty who were passionate about bringing circus arts to the Palouse,” McCahon said. “In the past three years, we have taught more than 100 students and community members. Our club has been at full capacity every semester and continues to draw interest in the community.”

U of I is one of the few universities in the country to offer aerial arts training, according to Fogarty-Morrison.

“Programming in aerial and circus at the university level has untapped potential,” she said. “Aerial arts add such great value — not just for theatre students but for any student interested in teaching movement-based practices. I have big dreams for what we can do here in Moscow.”

The course is open to participants ages 18 or older of any skill level, from complete beginners to experienced artists.

“As instructors, we make sure to meet you where you are to ensure that you feel comfortable and safe every step of the way,” McCahon said. “When I first started my journey, I was unsure if I would fit in or be able to keep up with my peers. I quickly realized that there is no such thing as ‘keeping up,’ as everyone is on their own journey. Everyone is there to learn and improve different skills while cheering you on as you meet your personal goals.”

U of I undergraduate students may enroll in THE 4170, while graduate students may enroll in THE 5170. For course information, visit catalog.uidaho.edu.

For more information about the CAPE course, visit keeplearning.uidaho.edu.

Media contact

Alisa Volz
Communications Strategist
Department of Theatre Arts and Lionel Hampton School of Music
208-885-6465
avolz@uidaho.edu