Circus Maniacs Staff
Administration Staff:
Jackie Welbourne (Co-Director; Head Of International Relations; Courses Director)
Formerly the UK's top international award-winning circus performer, Jacqueline starred as an aerialist with the world famous Cirque Du Soleil, and won major prizes at both the Festival Mondial Du Cirque De Demain (Paris), and a Clown at the Festival International Du Cirque De Monte-Carlo (the "Oscars of the circus world"!)
Jackie was an advisor to AETC some years ago, resetting NVQs for the arts and entertainment industry, and has since been active on several regional and national committees to support further development of circus in the UK.
A passionate believer in Circus as an artform, these days she wears many hats, working as school director, agent, consultant, circus choreographer and international circus festival judge! Her teaching qualifications include: FAETC; Play-Worker; Gymnastic Coaching (General, Pre-School & Special Needs); and First Aid.
Sam Welbourne (Co-Director)
Sam graduated as a fine artist in the 1980s and since that time has been involved in the creation of many independent creative projects in music, film, theatre and circus. He has toured as musician and technician in England and Europe.
With a professional background in logistics and project management, Sam is familiar with implementing human-resource-heavy projects, on time and to budget.
His belief is that the creative development of all young people is essential and is best served by independent market-driven companies. The most creative and positive approach being "without walls"; that is to say, that best practice in creative development is not limited to one media type, social or cultural grouping, nationality or skill level.
Jessie Walters (Teambuilding Workshops Administrator; Head Of Corporate Relations)
After training as a dancer initially, Jessie ran away to join Zippo's travelling circus school, where she learnt aerial skills. Refusing a place at the University Of Cambridge to study music, she continued to pursue her true love - circus - and joined The Circus Space specializing in trapeze. There she learnt hula-hoops and co-founded the hula-hoop company Hoop La La with friends Craig and Tiina, with whom she now performs in a variety of different fields within the performing arts, from circus to TV, cabaret to workshops. Jessie is currently expanding her aerial knowledge to encompass doubles trapeze, silks and aerial hoop.
Felicity Crabb (Marketing Administrator)
Felicity started acting and performing as a child and performed in several professional touring shows. She went on to gain a National Diploma in Performing Arts in 2004 at the Jellicoe Theatre, Poole.
Whilst she was there she became involved in Circus performing and over the last few years she has formed a Circus performing company called Idiosync, Specialising in stilt walking and character walkabouts, and has performed at various events ranging from festivals to children's parties.
When she isn't performing, she spends her time costume making, working in a theatre and planning her next adventure - in 2006 she took time out to volunteer in Costa Rica, Spending her time working in the jungle, trekking and helping to build a school.
Felicity joined Circus Maniacs to further her performing skills and to train in all aspects of circus performing, and now works here!
John Ellingsworth (Fundraising Coordinator; Public Relations Administrator)
After completing a degree and MA in English Literature at Sheffield University, John spent some time being an aimless graduate, followed by a year or so working as a freelance writer and editor (with a bit of freelance unemployed mixed in), then nine months working as an administrator in an office.
He ran away to join the circus and would very much like to be good at corde lisse.
He makes zines.
Back to About Us Index