In an originally choreographed routine, Tye performs a series of acrobatic stunts on the Aerial Hoop, also known as a Lyra. This is her seventh year learning and performing these stunts at a circus called The Actors Gymnasium.

Q&A with senior Alison Tye

Q: How would you compare your performance this year to your performance from last year?

A: “I think I’d compared my routine this year as completely different from last year. […] I think this year was cool because I was able to use more of my flexibility. […] I enjoyed doing both routines and both had a different feel to it.”

Q: Which part of your performance was the hardest for you? How about the part that you liked the most?

A: “The hardest part of the routine for me was the toe hang at the end. It was also the scariest part for me because I hadn’t done a toe hang spinning before, and it is a little harder. My favorite part of the routine was the beginning section because the music is very graceful and I had fun coming up with motions to mimic that.”

Q: What kind of impact did learning stunts/gymnastics have on your high school career?

A: “I couldn’t imagine my high school career without the team because I have made so many friendships and bonds. We have so much fun. One memory that sticks out is from this year when the varsity team went sledding. It was early in the year and it was a great bonding time.”