Profile

Gareth Bjaaland, born 1979 in Shepparton, Vic, Australia.
In a de facto relationship with nearly three children.
Lives at 125 Creegans Rd, Barkers Vale, NSW AUSTRALIA. 2474

Experience

SOLO STREET PERFORMER, 1992-1999

At the age of 12 years old Gareth taught himself juggling and began performing his own solo street theatre show which toured locally and interstate to cities and festivals.

CIRCUS PERFORMER, CIRCUS MONOXIDE 1999-2001

At age 18 Gareth began touring and performing with groundbreaking contemporary circus Circus Monoxide. His duties also included bus maintenance and site management.

CIRCUS PERFORMER, LUNAR CIRCUS, 2001-PRESENT

Began working with Lunar Circus as an acrobat, seamstress, bus mechanic, carpenter, and rigger. Toured extensively within Australia and South East Asia

CIRCUS PERFORMER AND MANAGER, THE PITTS FAMILY CIRCUS, 2003-PRESENT

With partner Bronte Webster founded The Pitts Family Circus and began managing and performing their own show.

MUSICAL CLOWN, THE VON TROLLEY QUARTET, 2006-2011

Performed, devised and assistant managed with European Clown Band, The Von Trolley Quartet. Toured extensively throughout Western and Eastern Europe, The Middle East and Australia.

Education

School Certificate – Nimbin Central School
Certificate of Music, Northern Rivers Conservatorium – 1998
Certificate of Dramatic Art-Northern Rivers Conservatorium – 1999
Basic Rigger and Doggers Ticket. – 2001

Skills

Acrobatics: Hand balancing base for adagio / hand to hand, base for Icarian Games / Risley, Chinese Pole, basic tumbling and aerials. Ball and club Juggling, devil sticks, cigar boxes, contact juggling, ball spinning, balancing.

Music: Guitar, Bass, 5-string Banjo, Violin / Fiddle,

Teaching History

Gareth regularly works as a circus skills coach, teaching children and adults and as a one on one music teacher instructing 5-string banjo and music theory.

Directing History

Co-wrote and Directed award winning solo clown show “Kaput” with Tom Flanagan – 2010 to present.