Season 11 Nationals (Finals) | Kansas City, MO | June 7-9, 2024
The high point of every year is the Aerialympics Nationals competition! This year we are giving performers a true, on-stage experience at the Liberty Performing Arts Center (LPAT) in Kansas City, Missouri.
In the Wild
Anyone may register to compete In the Wild (virtually) from anywhere in the world, even if you didn’t compete in any of the regional events this season. In the Wild performers do not compete against LIVE performers. In the Wild winners receive medals that are labeled “Nationals” or “Finals” and all In the Wild competitors receive a special Nationals pin. In the Wild Nationals performers are eligible for end-of-season awards.
LIVE
Due to the massive interest in attending National Finals LIVE, attendance as a LIVE performer is by invitation only. See our Leaderboard page for details. LIVE performers do not compete against In the Wild performers.
Tickets
MAKE SURE YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SCHEDULE BEFORE PURCHASING TICKETS. NATIONALS DOES NOT FOLLOW THE SAME PATTERN AS REGIONAL EVENTS.
Tickets are available at multiple price points.
Seating is reserved.
A limited number of open seating will be available at the back of the hall for performers and coaches who have free entry on the day they wish to use the open seating area.
Friends and family may not sit in the open seating area.
We cannot guarantee that you will be able to sit together as a team in the open seating area.
Are you ready to be dazzled and inspired? Nearly 200 aerialists from all over the world will take the stage June 7-9th, 2024 at Liberty Performing Arts Theater in Liberty, Missouri.
Friday, June 7
Friday features our opening celebration, including amazing giveaways and special awards and more; Silks, Hammock, Lyra, and Specialty categories; and for the first time ever, GROUP PERFORMANCES -- You won't want to miss it!
These single-day tickets are for Friday, June 7th only. Tickets are reserved seating and available on a first come, first served basis. They do not include tickets for Tiny Girl Big Show, workshops, or open practices.
Saturday, June 8
Saturday features our Aerial Silks competitions, including solo, duo, and for the first time ever GROUP ACTS! This day is packed with excitement including amazing giveaways and super cool vendors, and more (did someone say food trucks?)!
These single day tickets are for Saturday, June 8th only. Tickets are reserved seating and available on a first come, first served basis. They do not include tickets for Tiny Girl Big Show, workshops, or open practices.
Sunday, June 9
Day THREE!
Arguably the most exciting day of competition, Day 3 includes Aerial Hammock, Lyra, and Specialty Apparatus competitions for individuals, duos, and groups!
Sunday also features amazing giveaways, surprise events, and our awesome AWARDS ceremony includes year end awards! You will not want to miss it.
These single-day tickets are for Sunday, June 9th only. Tickets are reserved seating and available on a first come, first served basis. They do not include tickets for Tiny Girl Big Show, workshops, or open practices.
Exceptions:
Coaches who have an Aerialympics-issued lanyard that matches their ID will be given free entry. Coach lanyards are not transferable. Coaches must be part of the team program or request a lanyard prior to the event to receive a lanyard at the event. Additional lanyards will not be issued on the event weekend.
If you lose your lanyard, we will re-issue one for a $5 fee.
Supporting coaches may be issued a coach-labeled lanyard but will be required to pay for tickets.
Performers who have an Aerialympics-issued lanyard will be permitted free entry for the day stated on their lanyard. This coincides with the day of performance.
Free entry is not guaranteed to anyone and may be revoked at any time. If in doubt, buy a ticket. Ticket sales are applied directly to event expenses.
Tickets are required to attend Awards unless you have a lanyard.
Online Viewing
We do not live stream any performances. Please do not stream performances from your device. Do not take pictures of any performer who is not a member of your family or part of your team.
All performers and coaches will be given access to view all available performances. Access will be automatically granted to the email addresses supplied during registration. Some performances will not be available for viewing at the discretion of event management. This free access is to view performances only and does not grant download access.
Everyone else can purchase access to view all videos for the event for $20. We will not be granting access to individual performances or divisions due to administrative overhead.
Access will be available approximately one week after the event is over and stays up for 6 weeks after the final day of the event, after which videos are archived.
Performance videos are view-only and not downloadable unless purchased. If you are a performer and would like to download your video, please purchase it through the link below. This is typically the best way to share viewing with friends and family, because you can post or share your video directly with them. Competitors will receive a link to download purchased video approximately one week after the end of the competition.
Photography
Photos will be available for this event! All photo purchases are handled directly by the photography company. Communicate directly with them for any photography questions you may have before or after the event.
Venue
1600 S Withers Road • Liberty, MO 64068
Note: We will be entering from the rear. Drive around the back to the rear parking area and enter through the rear doors. They will be marked by Aerialympics signs.
Do not go to the main doors. If you go to the main doors, the ushers will direct you to go back outside and around the building.
Backstage
You will only be permitted backstage if you have a performer or coach lanyard that indicates access for that day.
Volunteers will be monitoring backstage activity and have the right to ask anyone to leave, whether they have a lanyard or not. Individuals or teams not respecting backstage volunteers may be disqualified without a refund.
If you need additional backstage access, email info@aerialympics.com for consideration. We will not necessarily honor all requests and teams will be limited to one adult backstage, in addition to the coach.
Private pop-up change huts will be situated in the green room and directly offstage, near the production table, stage left.
From the Host Studio
Cloud Nine Aerial Arts is so excited to be hosting Aerialympics Season 11 National Finals!
Our goal is to make every coach and performer feel welcomed, appreciated, and like part of the family! We are offering a number of open practice times, apparatus rentals, and resources for visiting performers. Please reach out if there is anything else that we can help you with while you are here!
Open Practices: Available for individuals and teams on a first come first served basis during Aerialympics week. We have seven points at 18'. Individuals will have access to their own rig point for the 60 minute practice, and team coaches have access to all 7 to use as you see fit. There will always be one of our team members present to help with rigging and any questions that you might have.
We also have emergency tights, extra costumes, grip aids and literally anything you might need while you are in town. Shoot for the moon, new friends!
Waivers (2 Required when competing LIVE)
All Performers (LIVE and In the Wild) are required to sign an Aerialympics waiver before performing.
Waivers must be signed by the deadline (Thursday, May 23) to avoid incurring deductions.
Waivers for performers who are not yet 18 must be signed by the performer’s legal parent or guardian.
All LIVE performers are also required to sign a waiver for the host studio (Cloud Nine Aerial Arts) prior to competing.
This is a second waiver, separate from the one you already signed for the Aerialympics.
Apparatus
You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own apparatus to meet any specific needs you might have. All apparatus will undergo an assessment by our head rigger prior to being used in the event.
The following are supplied by the host studio for the competition.
Rig Point
Height is adjustable - standard height will be approximately 21’
Silks
White low-medium stretch, 108” wide
Hammock
White low-medium stretch, 108” wide
Lyra
Single point 34'', 36'' taped
Single point 40'' pink powder coated
Specialty
Aerial frame 26X37
Dance trapeze 23” bar, 8"‘ ropes
Apparatus Rental: Performers who would like to use a fabric or bar apparatus other than those furnished specifically for Aerialympics may rent from Cloud Nine! This is a great option if you don't want to lug your own, are looking for a specific color, or want a chance to practice with it during an open gym in the days before your performance.
Health and Safety
Top-of-mind for many competitors is how to navigate the ever-changing Covid landscape. At this time we're going with the rules in whatever location we're holding the competition, and for this event that means no vaccine requirements, no masking requirement, and no social distancing requirement. We will, of course, support the personal decisions of each person who attends, but we believe medical decisions are best made between individuals and their doctors and parents (if they are a minor). We are encouraging anyone who feels uncomfortable with this decision to perform using the virtual option, which allows everyone to have more control over their environment.
Another question we occasionally receive is emergency care. After extensive conversation with studio owners and performers we are taking the common-sense approach of knowing when to call the professionals, rather than having a dedicated medical individual on staff. Much like when you attend your regular classes or engage in performance opportunities, we will rely on the excellent emergency response of local health care providers. Again, if you are uncomfortable with this decision, please use the virtual performance option, where you can arrange your own medical professionals to be available to you, should you wish.
Schedule
The schedule has tabs at the bottom of the screen for the 3 days of the competition, so if you don’t see your name, make sure you’re looking at the correct page.
You will notice your name listed twice – once for stage testing and once for the performance. Stage testing is mandatory, and you are responsible for being warmed up and ready to go when called.
Important Dates and Deadlines
In the Wild
Last Day to Schedule In the Wild Recording - Monday, May 20
Last Day to Record In the Wild - Thursday, May 23
Music, Prop, and WAIVER Deadline - Thursday, May 23
In the Wild Award Ceremony
Thursday, June 6 - 7:00 PM CST via Instagram Live
Because we can’t control the quality of the feed at your end for everyone watching, we will post the placings on this page before going live on Instagram so you can follow along.
If you miss placings announcements in person or on IG or there are any issues with the live feed, we will post the video on IG immediately after announcing awards so you can view it at your convenience.
Only performers who place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will be announced. If you don’t hear your name, it means you didn’t place, and you will see your exact placing in the judge feedback form that will be emailed to you.
LIVE
LIVE Invitations
LIVE Invitation Round 1 - Friday, January 12
LIVE Invitation Round 1 Acceptance - Thursday, February 1
LIVE Invitation Round 2 - Friday, February 2
LIVE Invitation Round 2 Acceptance - Thursday, February 22
LIVE Invitation Round 3 - Tuesday, April 9
LIVE Invitation Round 3 Acceptance - Thursday, April 25
LIVE Performances:
Performances may be scheduled Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, regardless of apparatus or division.
All performers will stage test on the same day that they compete and stage testing is mandatory.
Workshops will be held Saturday and Sunday evening after performances but before awards.
Plan for unreasonably long days.
LIVE Awards Ceremonies:
All LIVE silks winners: Saturday, June 8 - 9PM Central in person. WE NO LONGER STREAM LIVE AWARDS.
All LIVE hammock, lyra, and specialty winners: Sunday, June 9 - 9PM Central in person. WE NO LONGER STREAM LIVE AWARDS.
Year-end awards: Sunday, June 9 - during in-person awards in person.
If you compete in person but need your medal mailed to you, you must email us with that request after the event ends. Do not assume we know that you did not stay to receive your medal, even if you tell us during the event.
After the Event
Online Viewing Links Emailed - Wednesday, June 12
Medals Mailed - Monday, June 17-Friday, June 21
Judge Feedback Emailed - Monday, June 24-Friday, June 28
Online Viewing Removed - Wednesday, July 23
Special Event: Tiny Girl Big Show
Saturday, June 8 | 6:30 PM
For the first time in Aerialympics history, we’re bringing you a very special circus performance: Tiny Girl Big Show. Tickets to this event will be offered to the general public and will not be limited to Aerialympics attendees.
Tiny Girl Big Show events sell out all over the world. Your Saturday competition ticket does not allow you admission to this show. Coach lanyards, performer lanyards, and other passes do not allow you admission to this show. The hall will be cleared after the last competitor performs on Saturday to allow ticket holders to enter and take their seats.
Leah Orleans has graciously agreed to a special Q&A session after her 30-minute show directed at young performers.
Get a preview of her show here: https://tinygirlbigshow.com
Workshops and Events
All workshops and events are open to anyone attending in person who meets the prerequisites for the desired workshop. You don’t have to be a competitor to sign up for the workshops but you do have to sign waivers. Additional details coming soon!
Open Practices: Available for individuals and teams on a first come first served basis during Aerialympics week. Cloud Nine has seven points at 18'. Individuals will have access to their own rig point for the 60 minute practice, and team coaches have access to all 7 to use as you see fit. There will always be one of the Cloud Nine team members present to help with rigging and any questions that you might have. Open practices are not available in the theater venue.