Surreal De Sade

Performing Art – Portland

I began performing as a pianist at the age of 8. Throughout my youth I studied classical and jazz piano, which provided the opportunity to compete and perform with several orchestras. I studied ballet as well, at the Julie Dall Studio for Dance, and advanced to pointe shoes when I was 13 years old. For the next 5 years, I performed in over a dozen theatrical productions, including The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast, Footloose, and Much Ado About Nothing. During that time I was also involved in marching band, swing choir, and talent show performances. After high school, I attended the Iowa Western Community College Theater program. It was there that I added to my performance skills by learning the technical side of production: costuming, lighting, set design, and scenic painting. As part of the program I also participated in an internship working as a scenic painter in New York City. I then became involved in a local theater troupe known as Spankcandy, a unique performance group that explored imagination, and caused quite a stir in Omaha, Nebraska. This experience led to more opportunities including film, radio, and modeling work. I learned to choreograph and coordinate rehearsals with multiple people involved. After moving to Portland, I began training on the trapeze, silk, and lyra. I combined my ballet, aerial, and costuming experience. Since arriving in 2012, I\'ve performed over 250 times at various venues across the city.