bio
I'm a nice boy from Vermont. I'm also a contortionist. At the age 18, I flew across the country to study circus. I earned a degree in clowning (seriously), studied the art of tissue (hanging from the ceiling on what amounts to a very long bed sheet), and finally decided on becoming a back bender (someone who, among other things, stands on his hands and sits on his head). Based in San Francisco, I'm a freelance performer and instructor.
Elliott Gittelsohn. circus performer + contortionist.
expertise in
contortion
handstands
characters
circus arts
teaching at
Circadium
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts
Time Flies Circus
shows
I'm a nice boy from Vermont. I'm also a contortionist. I resolved to join the circus at age 12. My training includes an apprenticeship at Circus Smirkus Academy, a degree in clowning from The Clown Conservatory, and training under award-winning Mongolian contortionist, Serchmaa Byamba. I performed around the world with companies including Capacitor, Sister Magic Productions, MOTH Poetic Circus, Vau de Vire Society, Celebrity Cruises, Kinetic Arts Productions, and Sir Cupcake’s Queer Circus. I coach contortion, hand balancing, and general circus skills at Circadium, Time Flies Circus, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts.
I received a Bachelors in Performing Arts from the LEAP Program and conducted research on the psychological stress-recovery response of circus performers in training versus performance. I was the co-director of Oregon Fringe Festival for 2021 and 2022 seasons, was a junior fashion designer with Joe Dunbar Designs, and co-directed circus adaptations of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Master’s Spoon River Anthology, and CATS at Burning Coal Theatre Company. A recent resident of Philadelphia, I enjoy fiber arts, exploring the outdoors with my dog, Toby, and long drives across the country.
Check out my resumé