"You can still dream. And I think that's what keeps me coming back."

In this episode, Harley sits down with Chelsea, the circus programmer who's been shaping what happens under the big top at Woodford for the past decade.

She's someone who's seen the festival from every angle, first as a punter drawn in by friends working the pedal-powered juice bar, then as a performer touring her own contemporary circus company (Scotch and Soda, Cantina), and now as the one deciding who gets to step into that big top circular space at Woodfordia.

Chelsea's story is about choosing creative freedom over institutional validation.. These days she splits her time between programming aerial acts and teaching the fundamentals of being human to five-year-olds, and somehow both jobs make perfect sense.

This episode is for:

• Programmers and curators navigating the messy reality of building festival programs
• Circus artists wondering what it takes to start
• Parents who build carts for their kids and are looking for tips

Dive in to hear about why:

• The buggy meet is a legitimate highlight of the festival where families line up to discuss their carts like hotted-up cars
• A 16-year-old aerialist who came as a punter five years ago, stayed in the circus tent the entire festival, and is now performing at Woodford
• Programming is a puzzle where "it still seems a bit out of order and I'm a bit unsure... but it all kind of works"

To come to the Woodford Folk Festival: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/

To learn more about the circus programme: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/programme/

FOR MORE: Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.au

CREDITS:

Host: Harley Breen

Guest: Chelsea Mcguffin

Producer: Benny Wallington

Executive Producers: Cameron Scurrah, Bree Hickson-Jamieson

Video Editing: Nicholas Haddow

Audio mastering: Kieron Atkinson

Music by: The East Pointers

Recorded on Jinibara Country

#RadioWoodfordia #WoodfordFolkFestival #CircusProgrammer #TrashTestDummies #Astrodinotto #ContemporaryCircus #FestivalLife #HarleyBreen #Woodfordia

Join the Woodfordian Citizens:

Perks -

- Bi-Monthly emails sharing the ins and outs of the world of Woodfordia and the people who keep the heart beating.

- Special invites to special events on site at Woodfordia. Super special.

- Bonus podcast content

- Early early bird access to Woodford Folk Festival tickets

- Early access to workshop bookings at Woodford Folk Festival

Visit: woodfordia.org/woodfordia/become-a-citizen

More information at www.woodfordia.org

For the festival: www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

For Harley: https://www.harleybreen.com.au/

Credits:

Host: Harley Breen

Producer: Benny Wallington

Executive Producers: Cameron Scurrah & Bree Hickson-Jameison

Audio mastering: Kieron Atkinson

Music by: The East Pointers

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