asylum (noun) \əˈ-sīl-əm\
1. a place of retreat and security: SANCTUARY, SHELTER, REFUGE
2. an institution for the care of the destitute or sick and especially the insane: MADHOUSE, BEDLAM, INSTITUTION
Described as "extremely imaginative" (Raleigh News & Observer) and "haunting" (Independent Weekly), Only Child Aerial Theatre's ASYLUM unearths the forgotten lives of patients and employees in a state mental institution that was shuttered in the 1970s. Six multi-skilled performers balance poetic storytelling with aerial acrobatics, live music, projection, and shadow work. An original song written for the show by Grammy nominee Sophie B. Hawkins echoes throughout this heightened theatrical world.
ASYLUM
Story by Kendall Rileigh and Nicki Miller
Director: Nicki Miller
Choreographed by the performers
Primary Composer: Walken Schweigert
Original Song: Sophie B. Hawkins
Costumes: Jan Chambers
Lighting: John Wilder
Sound: Laura Sisskin Fernandez
Projections: Jesse Garrison
Production Stage Manager: William Vann Carlton
Creative Collaborators: Craig Whitehouse, Rowen Haigh, Mikaela Saccoccio
Cast: Sloan Bradford, Nicki Miller, Deon Releford-Lee, Kendall Rileigh, Shannon Spicer & Samantha Sterman
ASYLUM had its New York premiere in the 2017 Circus Now: International Circus Exposure Festival at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts. The regional premiere in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2015. The production has been made possible by Brooklyn Arts Council, Burning Coal Theatre, Circus Warehouse, The Muse Brooklyn, Constellation Moving Company, The Hybrid Movement Creative Lab and the support of individual donors.
Nicki is co-founding Artistic Director of Only Child Aerial Theatre. Nicki creates work independently as well as with creative partner Kendall Rileigh.
A journey of childhood, old age, imagination and nostalgia.
Video from the 2016 workshop performance at the Muse Brooklyn
Co-director: Rowen Haigh
Featuring: Sloan Bradford, Angela Butch, Danielle Butler, Julia Halpin, Yoni Kallai, Nicki Miller, Kendall Rileigh, Ayla Weisz and Laura Sisskin-Fernandez
A show in development by Only Child Aerial Theatre which is currently being developed with the 2016/2017 New Victory LabWorks in New York City.
Story Hour is an original, devised aerial theatre production by Only Child Aerial Theatre. The poetic, physical and musical storytelling celebrates how much the young and the old have in common and what they can learn from one another regardless of age.
Music written and performed by Dan Dauchy
Additional music by Heather Christian & the Arbornauts
Nicki has performed throughout the U.S. and internationally as an actress and aerialist. Notable credits include:
20-15 2017 ASYLUM. Only Child Aerial Theatre, NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts (New York, NY), Burning Coal Theatre (Raleigh, NC)
2016 Circus Sessions, Femmes du Feu, Harbourfront Centre Toronto, ON
2016 Floor to Air Festival, Santa Barbara Centre for Aerial Dance, Santa Barbara, CA
2016 Le Compte d'Ory Loft Opera(NYC)
2015 Groupmuse Massive Muse (NYC)
2014 Contemporary Circus Festival of Toronto
FEATURED: "Mama Said" at "No Holds Barred" Dixon Place New York, NY 2016
Music by Heather Christian & the Arbornauts
“Nicki Miller‘s aerial choreography gives this short play a hint of circus, which Stein so loved.”- The New York Times
“The challenging aerial movement, choreographed by Nicki Miller, is visually strong. It is a great moment when Rose ascends with a small blue chair on her back and climbs a rope ladder, singing high from the ceiling of the theatre.”-Theatre Pizzazz
Excerpts from Ripe Time's Obie-winning THE WORLD IS ROUND at BAM. Based on the book by Gertrude Stein. Music and Lyrics by Heather Christian. Conceived and Directed by Rachel Dickstein. Created in collaboration with Hannah Heller, Blake DeLong, Kristen Sieh and Grace McLean. Live Music performed by Heather Christian & the Arbornauts. Set design by Mimi Lien. Lighting Design by Jiyoun Chang, Sound design by Jane Shaw, Costume Design by Ilona Somogyi, and Projection Design by Hannah Wasileski, Aerial Choreography by Nicki Miller.
Nicki brings tools from theatre and physical storytelling to offer support in poetic composition, creative problem solving, and devising tricks to circus and dance companies.
"Nicki Miller brings a broad selection of tools as a dramaturge. Her work with Acrobatic Conundrum was useful in forcing us to answer key questions about the underpinnings of our work. She is truly a contemporary circus director, cannily drawing out the games inherent in acrobatic performance. She is personable and knowledgeable, and flexible in her approaches." - Terry Crane, Artistic Director of Acrobatic Conundrum
Featured: Acrobatic Conundrum's Love & Gravity National Tour
Artistic Coaching from Jenn Cohen, Jaron Hollander, Elizabeth Klob, and Nicki Miller
Featuring Carey Cramer, Terry Crane, Scotty Dont, Erica Rubinstein, Xochitl Sosa, Ty Vennewitz, Alex Allen and guest performers.
Videography: Alex Allen, Leah Jones, & Witty Pixel Photography
Editing: Terry Crane
Equipment provided by Danny Boulet and Witty Pixel Photography
Nicki is an National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist (FRCms). Combined with a decade of independent movement study in dance and circus training, Nicki teaches clients and students of all levels how to keep up their mobility, strength and endurance over time for physical longevity. This work is integrated into Nicki's training sessions as well as her work as an aerial theatre teaching artists.
CLIENTS AND STUDENTS CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCE LIBRARY
"With all the right blends of safety awareness, patience, professionalism and downright fun, Miller brought us a week of learning that we'll never forget." - Leighann Kowalsky, Director of Dance, Millbrook School
"I love Nicki's gentle approach and attention to form. She will asses you and help you get strong and flexible with her vast knowledge of the mechanics of the body... I learned so much from her that now whenever I take a class I know the correct form to get the most out of the exercises and not get injured. "- Maria, graphic designer and mother of two, Brooklyn (training client)
Photo by Carrie Firestone Photography
With FRC founder Dr. Andreo Spina and FRCms colleagues Zach Dahm, Emily Rubin and Benjamin Degenhardt
