Interview with Alumna, Sanna James 

Sanna James at Normandie Circus 

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Running track at SAAS and now touring the South of England, read Alumna, Sanna James' full interview.

1. What college or university did you attend after SAAS? 

I received a B.A in American Cultural Studies from Western Washington University. I later went to New England Center for Circus Arts and completed their professional training program. 

2. What unique experiences have you had since leaving SAAS?

Backstory: My graduating year at Western I fell in love with aerial arts after watching a silk performance, so much that I spent years training to become an aerialist. I moved to Vermont to attend a professional circus school New England Center for Circus Arts in Vermont. Upon graduation, I took a leap of faith and moved to my birthplace of England to visit my 98 year-old grandmother in her final months and find a circus to join. 

Last year I moved to England to pursue my dream of performing as an aerialist in a circus. As fate would have it I joined a small French family circus: Circus Normandie, that tours around the South of England. Being in a circus is amazing and crazy all in one. Showing up to an empty grass field and erecting and performing in a big top tent of wonder that brings joy to the community is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done.

3. What are your favorite memories from SAAS? What programs, teams, extracurriculars were you involved in while at SAAS? Who were your most influential teachers at SAAS?

SAAS gave me some incredible experiences with my time on the Cross-Country and Track & Field teams, as well as the epic Alaska trip. 

My favorite memory from SAAS has to be running through corn fields with the girls track team after we won the state championships. 

The two teachers that come immediately to mind are Rob Phillips and Lauri Conner, both commanded respect and pushed me to grow in writing, sports, and life. 

4. Where are you now and what do you do? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? How did SAAS help prepare you for your job today?

SAAS instilled in me a respect for teamwork that I have always carried with me. I remember my last season of track Rob & Conner told me I needed to be a leader to some of the younger runners and put me in 4X100 and 4X200 meter races, I had never run these short sprints, let alone at a state championship meet, but I believed I could because my team needed me and I loved them. 

Running in hysterics as I yelled “help me” to anyone cheering who would listen during the deathly camel back hills of the hardest long distance running course in Washington, to kayaking across the windy ocean at 6 in the morning. SAAS fostered and valued my intense commitment and strength. 
I left SAAS with a particular appreciation for hard work which I apply as a professional aerialist in a traditional touring circus. 

...I hope to one day create a circus school. 

Below: Side by side photos of Sanna performing in circus.