Circus Factory Cork is delighted to host a Crosspollination Intensive Weekend with Julie O’Connell Kent and Chloe Commins!

Aerial Intensive Details

This aerial intensive is the lovechild of Julie and Chloe’s playing around on different aerial apparatus, hence the name cross-pollination intensive. They used our vocabulary from each other’s apparatus to create something new. If you want to learn how to translate your movement across different apparatus with ease, this is the workshop for you. Try it out! It’s loads of fun.

In addition to the two cross-pollination workshops, both Julie and Chloe will host their own individual workshops in rope and hoop.

There are four workshops for you to join as part of the intensive (or join all four):

• Crosspollination Workshop #1
• Aerial Hoop – Finding Flow
• Aerial Rope – Rope Alchemy
• Crosspollination Workshop #2

1. Crosspollination Workshop | October 10th, 2 pm – 4 pm

This workshop is the lovechild of Julie and Chloe’s playing around on different aerial apparatus. They used our vocabulary from each other’s apparatus to create something new. If you want to learn how to translate your movement across different apparatus with ease, this is the workshop for you.

Come try it out! It’s loads of fun.

2. Aerial Hoop – Finding Flow | October 10th, 6 pm – 8 pm

Looking for permission to move a little differently, a little freer, and a little more like yourself? In this creative workshop, we will look at accessing that ‘flow state’ and finding artistic expression that is unique to you.

We will focus on breath, guided improvisation and choreographic prompts, while exploring how intension, musicality, and emotion can add textures and layers to a piece of movement.

This workshop is ideal for aerialists looking to deepen their connection to movement, unlock creativity, and develop fluidity and authenticity in their practice.

Suitable for students with a basic aerial hoop foundation who are comfortable working through creative improvisation exercises.

3. Crosspollination Workshop | October 11th, 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm

Continue from the day before and continue experimenting and translating skills from one apparatus to the other!

This workshop is the lovechild of Julie and Chloe’s playing around on different aerial apparatus. They used our vocabulary from each other’s apparatus to create something new. If you want to learn how to translate your movement across different apparatus with ease, this is the workshop for you.

Come try it out! It’s loads of fun.

4.  Rope Alchemy | October 11th, 4 pm – 6 pm

Brewing aerial rope magic lies in meeting your rope as a dance partner.

Unlock your movement vocabulary with guided improvisation prompts and creative constraints tailored to help you discover new movement pathways on the rope. This workshop is designed to take you beyond the standard “trick-to-trick” mentality. Together, we will dive through twists and loops, and you will be guided in weaving your own paths on the rope.

Rather than only technical skills, this workshop will focus on supporting the development of your relationship with the rope as your partner,

You will come away from the workshop with a warm heart, a pocketful of technical skills, and an abundance of inspiration.

Who is this Intensive for?

Intermediate and up. If you have a basis in aerials, you’re very welcome to attend any of the workshops!

Are there any prerequisites to attend?

• Confident in your grip, climb and straddle inversion in the air
• Openness to exploration in the air

Why you should join the Aerial Hoop & Rope Workshops

1.  Expand your movement vocabulary
2. Discover how familiar shapes and pathways can evolve across silks, rope, and hoop, giving you fresh ideas and new ways to move.
3. Strengthen your understanding of technique
4. By exploring shared mechanics and transitions between apparatuses, you’ll deepen your body awareness and aerial understanding overall.
5. Break out of creative habits
6. Cross-training between different apparatuses can unlock new movement patterns, inspire creativity, and help you approach familiar skills differently.
7. Build adaptability and confidence
8. Learn how to translate cues, shapes, and sequencing across apparatuses so you feel more versatile and comfortable in your aerial practice.
9.  Experience the fun of fusion
10. This workshop is all about experimentation, curiosity, and play, blending the unique qualities of silks, rope, and hoop into one creative experience.

What should you bring?

• Wear tight clothing and long sleeves
• Bring ginger for spinning
• Circus Factory has a microwave, kettle and small kitchen. The Marina Market Food Hall is also just across the road.

Location: Circus Factory
Days: October 10th & October 11th
Times: Varies

Saturday 10th

• Crosspollination Workshop: 2 pm- 4 pm
• Aerial Hoop Finding Flow: 6 pm- 8 pm

Sunday 11th 

• Crosspollination Workshop: 1.30 pm- 3.30 pm
• Aerial Rope Alchemy: 4 pm- 6 pm

Suitable for ages: 18+
Price for Weekend: €200* if you book all four
Price for Single Workshop: €60 (no discount on single session bookings)

*10% Students and Unwaged Discount Code at checkout: CFCONC10%
10% Discount for Practitioner Members
20% Discount for Professional Members

About Chole Commins and Julie O’Connell Kent

JANAS is a circus theatre company composed of Julie O’Connell Kent, Eric Munday and Chloe Commins. These three artists formed the collective in 2024, funded by the EU’s Island Connect project.

In Sardinia they found their name, JANAS – which means ‘people of the fay’ or ‘fay folk’. Their time in Sardinia raised questions about the similarities between colonised islands, and how folklore and myth is used to make sense of the struggles of its peoples.

JANAS’s current project is a full-length aerial and acrobatic outdoor theatre piece built around the fundamental pillars of island life: the sea, the sun, and the land. The work personifies these three forces, following their journey. Using powerful aerial artistry and partnered acrobatic movement, JANAS offers an exploration of the struggle for culture and autonomy.

They will present their full-length show in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown in June 2026.

Julie is an aerial artist who loves to both perform and share her love of circus through teaching. She has been exploring aerial rope and silks for nine years. Her practice extends internationally across performing, mentoring, producing, coaching, and collaborating with fellow artists. She loves to explore the boundaries of what is possible in her chosen artform. Her areas of interest are in mythology, queer experiences and the occult – all through the lens of mindful movement.

Chloe is aerial performance artist, who has performed regionally and internationally, her performance work is inspired by generational stories and personal experience. Chloe has produced and curated a number of cabaret events, such as ISL Fest and Wild Roots.

In 2023 she presented RESONANCE. An aerial theatre piece with takes inspiration from her experience growing up CODA (child of Deaf Adult)and includes ISL (Irish sign language) physical theatre and aerial hoop. She has had the opportunity to show this at the Scene & Heard festival Dublin, Festival of Fools Belfast and as  a full length solo show at Dublin Fringe festival.

In 2024, she travelled to Vienna, Berlin and Italy as part of research and development for JANAS company. She was invited to partake in the judging panel for Dublin Fringe Festival. She also worked with companies such as Dead Centre, Amanda Coogan and the Dublin Theatre of the Deaf, and acted as an aerial advisor the show ‘The Race’ at the Ark theatre Dublin.In 2025, She performed for Lunar New Year festival, Hi Pony Beyond the Pale, RDS Christmas event and Teelings Whiskey.

In 2026, She was selected to be an Axis Assemble artist while working with Extaordinary bodies, Rock and Roll Circus in the UK and successfully launching her own youth program with the Holy Family School of the Deaf.

She frequents the Dublin Drag scene as a resident artist with Haus of Wig. She has completed training with The Gaeity School of Acting, Theatre Lovett and Youth Theatre Ireland. She is fluent in Irish Sign Language and holds a degree in Chinese and Business from DIT