Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
JESSICA PACKARD<br />
Sometimes the world of performance leads<br />
performers to become multifaceted—it’s not<br />
always enough to be a one-trick Judy. Take for<br />
example the hula-hooping, fire-walking, stiltwalking<br />
contortionist Jessica Packard.<br />
“I started out mainly as a hula-hooper, then<br />
me and some friends created the Heady Hoop<br />
Tribe,” she says. Initially her troupe staged<br />
performances that included lots of fire LED<br />
lights and elaborate costumes. But in time, their<br />
performances dwindled. So Packard sought<br />
greener pastures.<br />
She moved on to perform with a local company<br />
called Altitude Aerials and bonded with the<br />
owner, taking her as a sort of mentor. Packard<br />
began doing more circus-style shows and tricks<br />
and did some stage managing.<br />
Last fall, Altitude Aerials was acquired by<br />
another performance company, Showstoppers.<br />
“Showstoppers does a lot of interactive<br />
entertainment,” Packard explains. Instead of<br />
being on a stage or hanging over a crowd,<br />
nowadays she might find herself mingling<br />
a little more as a character or personality.<br />
“Sometimes I do gigs where I’m dancing in the<br />
crowd with the guests but dressed as a weird<br />
space character,” Packard says.<br />
But her most fun thing lately is coming up<br />
with character gimmicks built right into the<br />
setting of a party. For example, she does a lot<br />
of “champagne skirt diva” work. As Bubbles<br />
the champagne skirt diva, she is rolled onto the<br />
fl oor in a giant metal skeleton of a skirt with<br />
fi ve or six different tiers holding champagne<br />
glasses. As guests arrive, she offers them<br />
glasses from her skirt. “I try to adopt a flirty and<br />
friendly demeanor,” she says.<br />
Another gimmick Packard has developed is her<br />
living red carpet act. The general idea is that at<br />
an event, the guests will arrive and set foot on<br />
a beautiful red carpet that attaches to Packard’s<br />
waist. She plays the role of the friendly greeter,<br />
welcoming folks into their star-studded event.<br />
The job is glamorous, and many guests want<br />
photos with her.<br />
“I really enjoy entertaining and connecting with<br />
people,” Packard says. “I’m from Alabama and<br />
my Southern side—she comes out a little bit!”<br />
Special thanks to Cobra Arcade Bar, Ariel Bracamonte, Chuckie Duff, Genuine Concepts,<br />
Noelle Martinez, Lalo Cota, Pablo Luna, Yai Vila, Topher Bray, Liz Brice-Heames, Volar,<br />
Mr. Matt, JJ Horner, Carlos Lopez, Nico Paredes & O Von Ordovich.<br />
JAVA 17<br />
MAGAZINE
Change language