The final stretch*

*No, not for flexibility.

Yes, we're already powering through May.  It's hard to grasp the fact that it's already the fourth of the month.  Since my last post, I've managed to get a lot done, but there's still a lot left to do.

Computer-generated costume
prototype.

My costume has so far been progressing wonderfully.  As you may recall, my original vision for my single point trapeze costume was something like the picture to the right.  I got my unitard a couple weeks ago, and began to create plastic stencils to help me paint on the pattern with fabric paint along with cardboard inserts which would stretch the unitard in a manner that would match my own body (this is where I was a true nerd... for the cardboard insert of my torso, I measured horizontal diameters with distances relative to my belly button (above my belly button was a positive value, and below was a negative) and halved those values to come up with the widths for various heights for the inert...pretty snazzy huh? :P).  Because this process is a little better shown than told, below are a bunch of pictures outlining the creation process.  Once the paint dried, I heat-set it in by using an iron.  I'm additionally having my friend, T, dye in some darker red so it's no longer a solid red color, as well as modifying the feet, so that there is a hole for the heel and a hole at the top of the foot, for toe hangs and heel hangs.  I also got suggestions from coaches during the costume parade that I modify the neck to be a bit lower.  I concur with that idea, and will most certainly make neck hangs a lot more comfy since the zipper hopefully won't interfere there.

Cardboard insert for the torso.

The three custom pattern stencils (yes, the same patterns
as on my trapeze!)

Painting using the custom stencils.

The finished torso pattern!

The (mostly) finished project!
I have since additionally added the pattern on the leg,
as well as a hint of a leaf on the left arm, and a tiny flower
on the front by the color, because I made a teeney smudge there. :P

The costume for my minor is relatively similar...very à la 7 Doigts de la Main.  I have a pair of simple, solid color pants, and a solid color short sleeve shirt.  Nothing flashy or extravagant.  Just something simple and typical.  I did this both to contrast the styles, as well as so that I'm not investing a ton of money and time in another costume, which is somewhat preferable for a person who is still figuring out how he is using his circus skills in the future. :P

First draft of my makeup design.

I've also been working a teeney bit with makeup.  I came into ProTrack knowing next to nothing about makeup, and honestly still do know very little, but since I have a photoshoot and videoshoot coming up this Sunday (and not to mention the SHOWS coming up in two weeks!), I need to come up with and be able to apply a simple stage makeup design.  The accompanying image is of a makeup experimentation I did a couple days ago.  I posted it on Facebook and already got some great feedback on it, and will soon be working on a second draft.  I'm planning on making the eyeshadow more in the brown family, the lower eyeliner more higher on the face, replacing the black eyeliner with brown eyeliner, using brown mascara, lining the bottom eyelid with some white as well, and using bronzer in combination with blush on the cheeks.  I got some great comments on my use of the white pencil on my nose and mouth, so I'll definitely be keeping that (no, my nose did not get magically shinier!  The accentuation of those features was actually intentional! :P).

I've been working a lot lately with my website (which if you haven't already, go check it out at www.trevorkafka.com ... yes! I now have my own domain name!).  I've particularly so been toying around with the instructor page, which I believe is new since my last blog post.  Speaking of summer instruction jobs, my plans are actually somewhat definite now!  I've secured two locations where I can rent space to teach aerials this summer.  One is the same gymnastics place in my hometown (World Cup Gymnastics in Chappaqua, NY) where I trained aerial fabric during the school year, and the second is the STREB Lab for Action Mechanics (S.L.A.M.) in Brooklyn, NY.  For both, I'm going to be working to offer private/semiprivate lessons (likely up to 4 people) to those interested.  I'm also likely to be able to get training at STREB to become a flying trapeze instructor, which I think would be a wonderful thing!  Additionally, one of my friends from home (who is a singer) and I are going to try to make an aerialist-singer duo fabric act to try and see if we can perform at a local amusement park in Rye, NY, which I think would be super fun!  I'll have to advertise myself for the aforementioned aerial private/semiprivate lessons and performing in Rye may be a long shot, but hopefully one or both will turn out well.

As I said above, there is still a lot to be done in the ProTrack world.  We've got one more ProTrack training day, one day running through acts, three transitions rehearsals, two cue-to-cues, four dress rehearsals, one day of setting up the flying trapeze rig, two days of photoshoots and videoshoots, two private lessons, one staff liaison meeting, six shows, and finally one huge end-of-year NECCA potluck. And then it's all done!!!  *phwhew*  It's a lot, but definitely going to be all worth it in the end.  Only three more weeks, and then we're all off into the circus world.  Yes, I do find myself oh so excited. :-)

In case you haven't heard by now, our end-of-year graduation shows are occurring on the following dates:

-Sat., May 14: 3p & 7:30p

-Sun., May 15: 3p

-Fri., May 20: 7:30p

-Sat., May 21: 3p & 7:30p

As you probably assumed, I highly suggest you come.  Tickets are available for presale through the NECCA website.  You can also find additional information on my Facebook event.

I believe that's all for now!  Both of my acts are going splendidly.  We're just fine-tuning them at the moment.  There are so many wonderful acts this year, and we should be having a wonderful show.

-Trevor