Once a month we plan to give you a glimpse behind the scenes by interviewing some of the members of the NoFit State family. This month is the turn of Ali Williams, Creative Director and Founder.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm Ali and I am one of the founders and creative directors of NoFit State. During my time with the company I've been a performer, administrator, general manager, community director and now I'm a member of the exec.
What's your first circus memory?
My granddad took me to Billy Smarts in Pontypool when I was 5. I remember that I hated the clowns!
So how did NoFit State start out?
Tom and I started the company in 1986 with three other friends so its 26 years old now. A guy called Toby Philpott arrived in Cardiff and taught us to Juggle. We formed a community circus called Ball's Up and from that the five us of decided to have a go at making a living from doing shows. We started working in the street and then moved on to a little big top, which toured for about 8 years across the UK.
What are you currently doing with the company?
I'm responsible for a few things. I'm a producer that creates work. I originally co produced the Big Top shows with Tom, but I moved on to doing large scale outdoor shows and participatory events where community members get a chance to perform with NoFit State. I also run the programme for trainee performers and producers and I play an executive role in the company. This means making decisions on the artistic direction and deciding which projects have priority.
So why are you so passionate about circus?
For me Circus is an umbrella that can encompass any physical art form, such as physical theatre, dance, urban skills, and of course traditional circus skills. This means there is an infinite number of ways to create and perform work for different audiences in different cultures. The diversity of circus today is really exciting and you can see a huge range of totally different work under the same umbrella. I also love the culture of the circus, the traditional lifestyle of travelling from place to place and seeing new things. Most of all I love the way circus can be used to inspire people and the fact that anyone can have a go and there is a wide range of skills that can be practiced in a noncompetitive way.
For you what makes NoFit State different?
We're unique in the way we run a community programme that is integrated with our professional programme so we can give young emerging artists and trainee opportunities to work with the professional company. Quite a few of our professional performers have come from the community programme.
What? s your proudest moment with NoFit State?
Performing the outdoor work I've been producing in front of huge audiences. For example Parklife played to 7000 in Brighton and Barricade played to nearly 10, 000 in Angers this year. That feeling when the crowd cheers at the end and it's deafening is amazing really rock and roll!
What? s the weirdest thing you have ever done in the name of NoFit State?
When we were performing in India a couple of years ago they wouldn't let us get the kit out of customs so I had to pretend it was my own personal stuffthree flight cases of rigging, costume and instruments! I told them I was the UK leading aerialist/musician and I was running a workshop for twenty Indians hence the need for twenty pairs of shoes and lots of skinny dresses. I had to tell them why I needed three trapezes and three saxophones in my act, and had to demonstrate trapeze. Fortunately it wasn't attached to anything so I could mime a trapeze routine on the floor!
What does the next 12 months hold for you?
I'm having a sabbatical! Running away from the circus after 26 years! Well actually I'm running towards a new one. I'm going to become Creative Director for Circus Kathmandu which is an organisation that works with young Nepalese people that were trafficked into Indian circuses when they were really young (under 5!) and then rescued by a UK charity. They are now training with volunteers from across the globe and I'll be helping them create a show for international touring. They will be making circus by choice and being paid for it so it will make a big difference to their lives
How will your travels influence the company when you come back?
Well I've had a busy time making sure there are people in place to cover my responsibilities so my projects can continue and I'm hoping that I'll make some new contacts in Asia so maybe we'll be able to take some work over there at some point.
What are you looking forward to the most?
Mountains, sunshine, and a new challenge!
Follow Ali's adventures in Kathmandu on the NoFit State blog.
