Rochester teen brings a twist to extracurriculars with circus performance
Jul. 29—ROCHESTER — Elia Oldenburg didn't have to run away to join the circus.
Her parents drive her up to train and practice almost year-round. The 17-year-old has been involved with Circus Juventas for 14 years.
Adopted from Vietnam when she was 1 year old by Ryan and Heather Oldenburg, the Rochester teen has had a unique life.
Most of her schooling is online, though she did attend Rochester Montessori for a year at one point. She did gymnastics for a year, but "didn't like the structure of it" compared to the world of the circus.
Elia said the family was living in St. Paul for a few months when her parents found Circus Juventas, a nonprofit circus training school that focuses on teaching kids the skills and discipline necessary to perform circus acts such as aerial skills, acrobatics and contortion.
While some kids learn dance or gymnastics, or play soccer or softball, Elia was learning contortion and trapeze work.
She specializes in contortion, she said.
"I have specialized in contortion and handstands in my career," she said. "I've learned from classically trained Mongolian contortionists."
Her main coach, Chin Ge, is from Mongolia.
"I've also learned community and being independent and a strong sense of self," she said, pointing to mental and social skills that are necessary to performing circus routines.
With performances running through Aug. 11, she is currently performing in "Jangala," a jungle-themed story that includes characters from "The Jungle Book," "Tarzan" and "The Swiss Family Robinson." In the story, three young women are transported to the magical world of Jangala and must find three keys to save the magical world.
"I play one of the spirits that helps guide (one of the main characters) on her journey to find her key," Elia said.
As part of her performance, she does contortion and even shoots an arrow using her feet while standing on her hands.
"I do wall walking, where we're hooked up to a line in a climbing harness and doing flips and tricks on the big wall," Elia said.
The classes, training and performances, she said, have been a big part of her life now for 14 years, with one more year to come.
A student online at Fusion Academy, Elia — who will be a high school senior this coming school year — said she will leave the circus life behind her after graduation. She wants to study neuroscience and psychology.
Still, she's loved her time as a circus performer.
"Really, it's just the opportunity to do something so unique," she said. "You can't find something like this in the U.S. anywhere else. It's unique. I love how original and artistic this place is."
What: Circus Juventas performance of "Jangala"
Where: Circus Juventas, 1270 Montreal Ave., St. Paul.
When: Thursday, Aug. 1, 7 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 3, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 4, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 10, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 11, 1 p.m.
Tickets: Call 612-309-8106 or go online at circusjuventas.showare.com. Prices range from $25 to $55.