Exploring Life & Business with Nova Hawkins of Gravity Entertainment

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nova Hawkins.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
If you had told me at 15 that one day I would be a touring circus performer, I never would have believed you. Yes, I always loved performing, but I never did gymnastics or ballet or any of the common circus precursors. Instead, when I was in high school, living in Brazil, I went on a mission trip. I was convinced by my friend to join the mission’s circus troupe, and I was given just a day or two to master as many acrobatic group pyramids and skills as I could before being sent out to perform for poor communities all over Paraguay. The performances were untidy and ridiculous, but they were amazing! After that experience, I sought out circus anywhere I could find it until stumbling upon a circus club at the University of Sydney when I was 20. This assortment of acrobats, aerialists, magicians, and flow artists became my family, and I knew I wanted circus to be a big part of my life. Here in Atlanta, I found local circus groups and incredible artists who taught me, encouraged me, and believed in me. I owe all my success to the dedicated people who invested their time and love into me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, trying to become an artist seemed like a quarter-life crisis. As a straight-A student, I always figured I would work in a corporate or medical office. In fact, I started my career in research at a rehab hospital named Shepherd Center. After all, the arts aren’t a viable career path, right? My insecurities about starting too late, being too old, or becoming a starving artist were all too real. On top of that, I had terrible muscular and postural issues that caused so much discomfort when sitting for hours that some days I would leave the office in tears. Some physical therapists gave up on me, saying they wouldn’t work with me if I continued to pursue circus arts like contortion. But two people came into my life that changed everything. I found an incredible physical therapist named Kate Edwards (Precision PT) who worked with me one-on-one and believed that circus was making me stronger and more balanced. I also met a full-time performer named Rocco, whose business-oriented pursuit of a circus career ensured a steady stream of work, even during the slow seasons. With Rocco’s seasoned partnership and Kate’s belief in my physical capacity, I found the confidence to quit my well-paying job and make circus life a full-time endeavor! I always say “life is better in teams,” and my team is the whole reason that I am living my dream!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Gravity Entertainment is just Rocco and me! We’re a two-person company that can offer all kinds of performance, from walk-about skills to full hour-long stage shows. Primarily we are an acrobatic duo, but we love a broad skill-set and can perform unicycling, juggling, Chinese pole, hand balance, fire arts, contortion, stilt-walking, aerial arts, clowning, and a few more things that are too unusual to try to explain! Partnerships are not always easy, but after years together, Rocco and I are proud to be able to bring professional entertainment of such a broad variety to events all over the southeast!

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I did take risks, but they were mitigated. I partnered with someone who knew the industry well and worked to build promo and apply for jobs, not just wait for gigs to come to him. Even with my job, I used up my time off for my first two cruise ship commitments and then stayed on as PRN for as long as possible. In fact, when the cruise line we worked with laid off all piazza entertainers like ourselves, I went back to work in another role to cover for someone on maternity leave.

Risk is scary, but a good support system will mitigate a lot of risk. I was fortunate enough to have a knowledgeable partner, a flexible and accommodating job, and a family with means if anything truly went wrong. However, not everyone has such a fortunate position, and taking risks like leaving your corporate job for an artist lifestyle is not an option for everyone. I am very blessed to be doing the work I love and I know it was absolutely due to the love and support of those around me.

Pricing:

• Stiltwalkers – $200/hr
• Fire – $400/hr
• Duo Acrobatics – $800/hr
• Juggling – $200/hr

Contact Info:

• Email: novacirque@gmail.com
• Website: https://gravityentertains.com
• Instagram: @gravityentertains
• Facebook: facebook.com/gravityentertains
• Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCt58r083uT_Y5qeinJrJMjA

Image Credits:
Peter Belvin Dynasty S03E05 Vivian Kyle