So, I spent monday night in the hospital...

After a few hours of rehearsal for an upcoming show I thought I was totally fine. I had been attemping a new & very difficult maneuver which, after a few unsuccessful tries, I decided to forgo in the routine. So I rehearsed the rest of my act and eventually packed up to get some food. Little did I know something very serious was about to go wrong.

As I sat at dinner my left quad(thigh) muscle started to stiffen up. I figured I was just getting sore from a long workout session and didn't think much of it. That is, until I tried to walk back to the studio and realized I wasn't going to get very far. After a half hour walk that should have taken me 10 minutes I knew things were looking pretty bad. I tried resting while my friends at the studio looked after me, but my leg seemed to keep getting worse instead of better. Before long my whole leg seemed to seize up like a rock, gradually contracting from my hip all the way to my knee, and leaving me in throbbing, excruitating pain. A pal said he would drive me home, but as soon as we got to my apt I realized I needed more help than simply sleeping it off. So, off we went to St.Luke's Hopsital.

I spent the night there where doctors acted shocked at just how bad my leg had become (...very calming...) and put me on pain killers and muscle relaxers. Even after a few hours there my leg refused to let up, but as I was not in any life threatening danger I had to be released from emergency care. Once I got back to my apt, crutches in hand, I called my parents who came and whisked me back ot their house in NJ. My mother, being the super nurse that she is, along with my father have been taking very good care of me since and I've noticed immediate results. It will take a week or more to get back to normal, but at least things are improving.

This means I am out of commission for a while. I was suppossed to open a new and exciting version of the Nutcracker this week; an original conceptualization using circus arts in place of ballet. The show would have been not only my aerial debut, but also my NYC debut. Alas, those dreams are on hold while I recover, however I do encourage everyone to see this beautiful show. It runs this weekend only (thurs-sun) at the House of Yes in Brooklyn. I may not be able to perform, but please support the wonderful people who had faith in a budding aerialist. The Info will be listed below.

I know I will recover just fine, and for now I'll try and enjoy the rest and relaxation as best I can.

Fom my parents' couch,

~Kirk

The Nutcracker Circus Suite
Vertical Aerial Arts presents the "Nutcracker Circus Suite" - an audience immersive and edgy new take on the classic tale. Aerial, circus, and dance combine and take place all around you as the story unfolds.  Drinks, sweets, rats, snowflakes and ballerinas, the circus and the holiday season surround and astound the audience in this special event that adults and children are all sure to love. Come experience the Nutcracker in a whole new way.

Concept, direction and choreography by Megan Hornaday and Jennifer Kovacs. Additional choreography by Sean Roschman. Starring Carolyn Barry, Stephanie Dodd, Megan Hornaday, Paul Hawxhurst, Yuki Ishiguro, Lily Jahn, Jennifer Kovacs, Nikki Nasto, Kaylee Olsen, Sean Roschman, and Shiho Tanaka. Hosted by the House of Yes. Costume collaboration with Kae Burke.