Our old friend, sideshow artist and aerial performer, Simi Genziuk, has just released her first children’s book – So She Did, The Story of May Wirth. Carnival Cinema’s Kareena Hodgson (The Manifesto) caught up with Simi to find out more about her life, why she started writing and her transition from performer to Children’s Author.
KH – Hi Simi, thanks for talking with us. Tell us about the pathway that led you to where you are these days?
SG – Dissatisfaction set me going. I was leading an ordinary life, living in Melbourne, studying Business Advertising at RMIT, engaged to be married to a lovely man. Then one day I literally did a runner. I decided to travel around Australia by myself, it was the best thing I ever did. I met the most amazing people and had the adventure of a lifetime. I worked on a charter boat on the Great Barrier Reef as a deck hand and snorkel instructor. Then I worked on a long line fishing boat, twenty days out at sea (that’s a whole other story in itself). All of these experiences helped me to understand who I was and get to know myself. Once I was living my truth I found circus and my people, I’ve never looked back.
Soon after that I started training with Rodleigh Steven’s, the trapeze Master on the Gold Coast.
I became quickly obsessed. Solo swinging being my main focus. After almost two years, Rodleigh put me forward for an audition with Rock and Roll Circus. I was like” You mean you can do this for a job?” I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t get the job with Rock and Roll Circus but that was when I realised I could make this a career.
After that I moved back to Melbourne and started my new career as an aerial acrobat, and that’s how I’ve earned a living for almost the last 20 years.
KH – Tell us a bit about your current project? We hear you’ve written a book?
SG – In 2010 when I had my daughter I was hard pressed to find any books with strong female protagonists They were all so uninspiring. Books about princesses or fairies. If there was any adventure to be had it was always by a male protagonist. This compelled me to write my own book.
I started researching Australian women and I continue to do so. There are literally millions of untold stories about incredible women whose achievement have always been overlooked in place of a man’s. Well, fuck that I said. When I came across May Wirth’s story the first thing that struck me was how little information there was about her. So, I started digging, the more I dug the more impossible her life seemed. I knew I had to bring her to the forefront again. So I did. Ha ha see what I did there?
KH -Who are the collaborators or people you’re close to that you feel most supported by?
SG – Shep Huntly first and foremost. He’s my sounding board, confidant, and rock. He supports and encourages me, always steady, reliable, positive and intelligent. He’s my love and the one I admire most in this world.
I’ve really enjoyed working and collaborating with people like Samora Squid, Gordo Gamsby, Rani Hazah, Aerial Manx and Patrick Bath. There’s too many to mention.
One stand out for me though was when Shep had the great Idea of doing an all-female sideshow, at The World Sideshow Festival. I had the great honour of sharing the stage with legends like Tiger Lil, Tara Boom, Sabine Tweedle Needle, Lucy Frost and Emma Hawkins and Flavella L’ Amour. The feeling was like no other. All these incredibly powerful, talented women together for one night. We all knew it was something special and we encouraged and supported each other like something I’d never experienced before. It was so much fun. I’ll never forget it.
KH – I know you’ve worked in traditional Circus as well as side show, which community/tribe(s) do you feel most connected to?
SG – That’s interesting because I feel connected to them both but in different ways.
My trad circus family are the family I didn’t choose. They’re the ones I worked and lived with who although I love I don’t necessarily have anything in common with. I respect and admire them and I’m so grateful to have had that experience, like real brothers and sisters. Till this day when I meet them, I feel a closeness and a love.
My circus/sideshow family are different. They’re the ones I’m more likely to share political views with. Who’s values and ideals I’m more aligned with. I’m relaxed with them and we share a commonality. I love them they’re all mental.
KH – What’s it like living and working in Byron Bay? What do you love about the lifestyle.
SG – To be honest I miss Melbourne like crazy. Byron is great for its exquisite beaches and laid back lifestyle. I love that people take care of their health here and exercise and eat well, but I miss the grunge of Melbourne, the filth, the bars, culture, shows, museums and art exhibitions.
The good thing about living here now is that a lot of circus peeps have moved up here. So, we’re in good company. When I feel like seeing a show or having a cultural hit. I go to the Brunswick Picture House. That’s where it’s all happening in this town.
KH – Do you feel like it’s possible to make a living from your primary art practice, or are you supplementing it with work in the straight world?
SG – I’ve been lucky that when I was working as a circus performer I could for the most part make a living, all be it a small one. Now that I’m transitioning into an author I hope to make a living primarily in that world. It’s fun but it’s incredibly straight. I’m not sure what my fellow authors make of me.
KH – Can you tell us a bit about why what you currently do that appealed to you at the very beginning when you started?
SG – At first I was just listening to inspirational stories about Australian women. I had no idea I would write a book.
Listening to podcasts, reading books and articles was just fun. When I came across May Wirth’s story I just knew I had to tell it and try and get it out to the world.
I felt very passionately about telling women’s stories to try and level the playing ground. At first it was just about my daughter but then I quickly realized that all children are missing out on hearing these stories.
KH – What does your downtime/relax time look like and how do you personally ‘switch off’?
SG – I don’t even know what that is. Is that a thing? I clean my house in my spare time. With a kid and my new career taking shape I feel like I have no time at all. I guess we all have to make time.
I’d like to make time to meditate even for ten minutes a day. I think that would be very helpful.
KH – Can you talk us through the steps of the process you use to write a book?
SG – I research women! I love it. I’ve compiled a list of women whose stories I’d like to tell. I’m particularly interested in women who were the first to do something or leaders in their field and how they have opened the door for other women
It’s so inspiring there are just so many awesome women out there with a story waiting to be told. It sparks a passion in me.
Once I’ve chosen a woman I begin my research. Everything I can obtain from all the obvious platforms.
Then I do a lot of free writes. I write paragraphs of points of interest from all the information that I have and I try to make it palatable for children. That can be hard because women’s stories almost always have some harrowing bits in them that include domestic violence, rape and persecution. Women are so tough I tell ya. We’re so tough!
KH – How does Carnival Cinema fit (if at all) into your sense of community?
SG – Oh, I’d like to tell that through a story. About eight years ago at a gym in Brunswick Melbourne.
I was minding my own business when a very excited man came up to me and asked “excuse me, excuse me are you in the circus?”
How the hell does he know? I thought
“Um yes” I replied.” Why do you ask?”
Well you all wear those hoodies, what’s up with the hoodies, you all wear them”
Then I looked down and saw I was wearing my Carnival Cinema hoodie, and I felt connected and part of the tribe that is circus /sideshow and it made my heart swell.
KH – What’s one positive development you would like to see in the future of the Australian PhysicalTheatre/Cabaret/Circus/Sideshow scene?
SG – I’d like to see the continued emancipation of women. I want to see women feeling free to have hairy armpits if they want, and not succumbing to the pressure of looking perfect. More women, directing and having positions of power, being at the top and not just doing the admin. I think circus is pretty good at that but we need more of it.
‘So She Did’ The Story of May Wirth is available now in Australia from most book stores and Internationally at www.booktopia.com.au
Follow Simi at Simi Author on Facebook
Thanks Simi and best of luck with your journey from Sideshow performer to children’s author!
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