1: What is your name and stage name or company if you have one?

My name is Montana DeBor and I'm a co-founder of Street Light Circus.

2: What is your skill, craft, profession, or industry that you are in… In your own words?

I'm a circus artist. I perform mostly on Spanish Web and rope. I run Street Light Circus with three other co-founders.

3: What got you interested in, or involved with circus?

I was a gymnast when I was younger and fell in love with circus while I was in college.

I went to school originally for business but switched to studying illustration to pursue my love of art. During that transitional period I discovered my local circus community began training on rope and aerial fabric. I found it a perfect blend of art and athleticism.

4: What is the biggest challenge you faced in your professional career so far?

Achieving fair pay for artistic creation; I find it's the hardest act of all.

5: What is one fond memory you have of the circus?

I remember the colors as a child. I saw Ringling Bros. and the saturated red, crisp white of the tent always stayed with me. The color, dynamism and laughter drew me to circus. I'm grateful I get to experience that world from within now.

6: Where do you see your professional career going, where would you like to end up?

I would love to teach and perform abroad. And I would like for Street Light Circus to continue challenging the parameters of contemporary circus by melding mediums and intertwining fine art.

7: If you could change one thing about your field in the circus in the present, present or future … What would it be?

I wish circus was more culturally embedded in the U.S. I think it's being recognized more as an art form but still needs time.

8: What is the one best piece of advice you can give to someone starting off in this field?

Think outside the box, circus should not be contained!

9: If someone wanted to learn more about you or what you do, where should they go?

Instagram:

@deboratorium @streetlightcircus

10: Is there anything else on your mind about circus or this field you would like the reader of this to know?

There is a place for everyone in circus.

The Imperial OPA is a leader in the Circus field, we are the Circus of Atlanta, and as such its our duty to help lift up others.

Further, we believe that knowledge is power. Knowledge can help inspire, help lift up, and better direct those in the field with us currently and those who are coming up. Knowledge is gained in time, training and living and it costs but time to pass along.

Beyond this, guests and friends want to know more about who these artists are, what inspires circus people to perform, what was the inspiration for them to start living this life.  So many questions.

To address all these points and many more, we present the Artist Insights program. This program is aimed at interviewing people and spreading knowledge and supporting those around us on their search for knowledge. We hope you enjoy reading the blog posts form time to time from various artists.

Want to be interviewed as well?

We are always looking for Artists, Producers, Circus owners and others who want to pass along their knowledge to help others learn.

If you are interested, send us an email (* Circus(at)theimperialopa(dot)com ) and let us know a bit about you.

We will follow up with questions for you.