“A clear demonstration of the artistry of circus and its potential to draw together multiple theatrical forms.” The Guardian

“It is precisely because we are human that our physical achievements acquire dignity, meaning and poetry … In our limitations are our possibilities.” Yaron Lifschitz

Ten highly-skilled acrobats, a bare stage, and a stirring journey of what it means to be human.

Straddling the borders between circus arts, theater, and contemporary dance, Australia’s bold contemporary circus troupe Circa explores the expressive possibilities of the human body at its extremes.

How much can we take as humans? Where are our limits? How much weight can we carry? Who can we trust to support our load? Created by renowned theater and circus director Yaron Lifschitz with the Circa ensemble, this heart-stopping performance leads us to reflect on the physical and emotional strength it takes to overcome the burdens we carry.

$29-$49 general / $21.75-$36.75 member
$15 student + 25-and-under

Seating at the Annenberg Center will be reserved for these performances. Members can purchase tickets by section through the FringeArts website with a discount of 25% off. Annenberg will contact you with your assigned seat and mail you a physical ticket for the performance. Tickets purchased within 7 days of the performance will be available at Will Call. 

For non-members, please purchase your ticket through the Annenberg website. For $15 students/25-and-under tickets, use discount code 25YOUNGER. You will be required to show your ID to pick up tickets at Will Call before the performance.

Annenberg – Zellerbach Theatre Seating Chart

70 minutes / Family friendly 8+

Created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble
 Director Yaron Lifschitz Technical Director Jason Organ Costume Design Libby McDonnell Performed by  Caroline Baillon, Nathan Boyle, Marty Evans, Keaton Hentoff-Killian, Rowan Heydon-White, Bridie Hooper, Todd Kilby, Nathan Knowles, Cecilia Martin, Daniel O’Brien, Kimberley O’Brien

Humans is co-presented with Annenberg Center Live. The Annenberg Center’s 18/19 dance series is presented by Annenberg Center Live and NextMove Dance.

Humans is commissioned by MA scene nationale – Pays de Montbeliard.

Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Festival Executive Producers: Arthur Kaplan and Duane Perry
Festival Producers: Andrew and Bryna Scott

About Circa

Since 2004 Circa has toured to 39 countries across six continents. Circa’s work has been rapturously received by audiences, presenters and critics around the world. Critics have raved about Circa calling the work “stunning…exquisite… heart stopping” and “electrically charged”.

Circa’s current touring shows span diverse contexts from works for families in traditional arts centers to European contemporary arts festivals. Its works are highly innovative genre‐bending pieces that stretch the practice and perceptions of circus. Circa features a full time ensemble, a concentrated administrative team, a dedicated circus studio and a Training Centre in Brisbane with partners throughout Queensland and beyond.

About Yaron Lifschitz, director

Yaron Lifschitz is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, and National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), where he was the youngest director ever accepted into its prestigious graduate director’s course. Since graduating, Yaron has directed over 60 productions including large-scale events, opera, theatre, physical theatre, and circus.

His work has been seen in 39 countries and across six continents by over one million people and has won numerous awards including six Helpmann awards and the Australia Council Theatre Award. His productions have been presented at major festivals and venues around the world including Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Barbican, Les Nuits de Fourvière, Chamaleon and all the major Australian festivals. His film work was selected for the Berlin and Melbourne Film Festivals. He was founding Artistic Director of the Australian Museum’s Theatre Unit, Head Tutor in Directing at Australian Theatre for Young People and has been a regular guest tutor in directing at NIDA.

He is currently Artistic Director and CEO of Circa, Creative Director of Festival 2018: the arts and cultural program of the 21st Commonwealth Games. In 2018, Yaron directed four new Circa creations, and a new production ofIdomeneo which opened in Lisbon at The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.

About Jason Organ, technical director

Jason Organ graduated from Queensland University of Technology in 1988. He has worked as a technician, rigger, lighting designer and production manager. During this time he has lit all manner of productions from pantomimes and product launches to ballet, festivals, military tattoos, circus and live television; contemporary dance and circus being his favourites. Jason was the co-founder of JLX productions, a lighting design and technical consultancy, based in Brisbane. Since January 2010 Jason has been working exclusively with Circa, lighting and production managing their international tours.

About Libby McDonnell, costume design

Libby McDonnell works across disciplines as a designer, choreographer, director and performer and has an Associate Degree (Dance) from the Queensland University of Technology. Libby has co-directed for Ballet Theatre of Queensland and has been resident choreographer and designer for Blue Roo Theatre Company. As Associate Director with Circa, Libby has designed costumes for all of Circa’s major creations since 2010 and has show directed and managed tours in Australia and abroad.

About Annenberg Center Live, Co-presenter

The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts serves as a major cultural destination and crossroads connecting Penn and the greater Philadelphia region through innovative human expression in theatre, music, dance, and film, serving an annual audience of almost 50,000. The Annenberg Center also serves as a key resource for the arts at Penn, connecting master artists with Penn students in support of and as an enhancement to the arts curriculum. Student performing arts groups are also key users of the Annenberg Center’s multiple performance and rehearsal spaces, while also staffing many operational roles throughout the academic year. In reflection of Penn’s core values as a world-respected academic institution, the Annenberg Center emphasizes artistic and intellectual excellence, diversity, and rigor in its presentations; prioritizes broad inclusiveness in the artists, audiences, and groups it serves; manages outstanding performance, conference, and meeting facilities; and stresses comprehensive event planning, production support, and customer service. The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is a major provider of performing arts access for school children and actively engages a broad range of primary, secondary, and post-secondary student audiences and inclusive constituencies from the campus, community, and greater Philadelphia region. Visit AnnenbergCenter.org.