“Tilt!” Draws in a Crowd at the PAC

By Olivia Summer

Acrobats flying, a juggler performing his talent, a tightrope walker landing his flips on his tiny rope. These tricks and more drew a crowd to the Performing Arts Center (PAC).

Performer Lexi Powell in the midst of a high-flying stunt (Photo by Olivia Summer)

On Saturday, January 31, many people gathered in the PAC Concert Hall to watch a unique circus show entitled “Tilt!” The performance was brought to SUNY Purchase by a company named “Cirque Mechanics,” which features acrobats, jugglers, and dancers to captivate an audience of all ages.

“The adults can appreciate how much talent it takes, and the kids can laugh at all the jokes and watch people do flips,” said student attendee Rinn Kress. They went on to compliment the transitions of the show and how impressed they were by the whole company.  

“Cirque Mechanics” was developed in 2004 by Chris Lashua and Aloysia Gavre, when they had the idea to combine aerial arts and acrobatics with machinery to dazzle audiences. They tour around the world regularly and bring joy to many families.

Acrobat Will Farlow soars through the air (Photo by Olivia Summer)

Chris Glover, a past member of the Big Apple Circus in New York City, was in attendance with her husband. “I think it’s very imaginative,” Glover said, “I like the way they’re using the different mechanical apparatuses to enhance their acts.”

The stage was covered by an elaborate set, the centerpiece being a brightly lit Ferris wheel, which performers would often use in their acts. The performances showcased many types of circus acts, all coming together to create a cohesive story.  

“There are so many kinds of circuses,” Glover said, “story-like theaters or traditional circuses, it all works.”  

The story followed a disgruntled amusement park employee as he tried to do his job of selling tickets (with a little bit of plate spinning on the side) as antics and acrobatics surrounded him, all in neon 80s-esque outfits.

Various Cirque Mechanic performers begin their big finale (Photo by Olivia Summer)

There were people from all walks of life at the show, with some coming from outside of Purchase to enjoy the performance with their families. Aaron Mackof drove from 25 minutes away with his wife and two daughters to see the show. “We come to a lot of events here,” said Mackof, “my 16-year-old daughter, the only one she would agree to come to was this one.”  

Mackof and his family visit the PAC and see performances there very often; in fact, they are coming again in March to enjoy another performance. “It’s a great theater, and the tickets are always reasonable, which is why we do it every year.”

Another student at the show, Willow Giegerich, expressed that they had fun but wished more people on campus had known about it. “It wasn’t heavily advertised, and I feel like there was this expectation that it wouldn’t be as high value as it was,” said Giegerich.  

The student tickets at the door were $10 each, and non-student tickets varied in price depending on where in the theater one sat. No matter what, Purchase and the PAC continue to draw in crowds, and “Tilt!” was no exception.  

“It’s very fun,” Giegerich said, “I don’t care how old you are, you see someone do a backflip, and you get happy.”