My name is Kari Podgorski, but amongst my many circus friends I’m more likely known as either “Coach Kari” or “Sally Pepper.” I taught myself to cartwheel at age three, and have been delighting in the movement arts ever since. Growing up I studied as much dance and gymnastics as possible, and upon encountering circus arts took to aerial and physical theater with great delight. As the bubbly character Sally Pepper, I performed with Seattle’s Circus Contraption from 2001 to 2009, and charmed audiences with vocal solos, hula hooping, tap dancing, tumbling, group acrobatics, roller skating, and my unique signature act: the static cloudswing.  During that time I had the opportunity to contribute to three of Circus Contraption’s full length productions, as well as corporate events, holiday productions, and festival shows.

During my time with Contraption I also had the good fortune to meet Jo Montgomery and Chuck Johnson, who had trained two of the group’s star acrobalancers. I was charmed by Jo and Chuck’s wealth of circus arts knowledge, their generosity of spirit, and their enthusiasm for the local circus community. I had the great opportunity to join their teaching staff shortly after SANCA opened its doors in 2004. At SANCA I have shared my own knowledge with literally hundreds of students of all ages, met and trained with other professional and aspiring circus artists, and become part of a truly supportive, generous family. My enjoyment of the circus arts and my career as a performer have been boosted immeasurably by my connection with SANCA.

In 2008, I was a featured performer in an acrobatic dream sequence of Seattle Opera’s production of Pagliacci. Deemed an “aerialist par excellence” by the Seattle Times, I have performed on the cloudswing in over 30 U.S. cities from Manhattan to Los Angeles and internationally from Victoria, B.C. to Portugal. Locally, I have appeared with the UMO Ensemble, the Aerialistas, and EnJoy Productions; choreographed pieces for Edge Theater Ensemble and Washington Ensemble Theater; and starred in Seattle’s own varieté review, the Moisture Festival. I made my Teatro ZinZanni debut in the 2010 Seattle production of License to Kiss, and will reprise my role as the Cherry Fairy in the San Francisco production of the same show in 2010/2011.

Visit me online at www.karipodgorski.com.