Welcome Show

The IJAs prodigal son returns after 10 long years. Bringing his signature style of convoluted club juggling, unabashed comedy, and an assortment of home made prop abominations. Over the past decade of his IJA absence he has refined his craft in Montreal, performed around the world, and endured two long years of a residency in New Jersey. He is overjoyed to experience the magic of the midwest once again. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri he knows no one does juggling festivals like the fly-over states.

Kira DiPietrantonio Afonso is a professional circus performer specializing in the genre-combination of juggling, contortion and hand-balancing. She started her training at age six at The Silver Lining Circus Camp and trained with The Flying Gravity Circus. She eventually toured with Circus Smirkus which originally inspired her excitement of the craft. A 2021 graduate of Circadium School of Contemporary Circus, Kira has since performed with The 7 Fingers, Gandini Juggling, Bindlestiff Family Circus and many more! When she’s not onstage you can find her at the gym, playing Mario kart with her husband and watching capybara compilations.

Photo by ekopics.

California based juggler Chris Garcia, aka Draco the Juggler, likes practicing many forms of juggling, with his favorite being the diabolo. He started juggling as a hobby in 2003 in high school under the tutelage of Matt Hall, and as a professional juggler & instructor in 2008.

Cassaundra is currently living and training out of The Vulcan Lofts in Oakland, California. With a background in dance, she has been practicing object manipulation for over 15 years. She specializes in pol, staft, and club manipulations, which she has been teaching for over a decade. Throughout Cassaundra’s years of practice she has focused on integrating her dance background with her prop manipulation to create a unique fusion flow.

Stacey Strange is a multidisciplinary artist who often combines art forms to create transportive entertainment rooted in meaningful storytelling. Her works include circus short films, touring productions, and the occasional novel. She is the founder and creative director of Air Temple Arts in Connecticut, a member of the coaching staff at the New England Center for Circus arts, and has taught and performed myriad circus arts across the US and internationally.

Her work has been called ‘As smart as it was entertaining—and it was very entertaining indeed.’ View Stacey’s Patreon for more!

Tuey went to his first IJA festival in 1983 in Purchase NY, and has continued attending as many as possible ever since. Over the years he has performed multiple times at the festivals and is very happy to be coming back once again to the IJA stage.

Tuey is one of the most skilled comedy jugglers performing today. He has spent his 40 plus year career providing laughter and awe to audiences all around the country. Tuey’s show is a mix of offbeat antics and serious skills that will entertain the whole family!

Lawless & Order are 14 year old Lyla Lawless and 13 year old Poppy Sutton from Circus Harmony’s elite youth circus troupe the St. Louis Arches. They both started circus in 2019. These talented teens combine flips and flexibility with juggling and joy to create their unique blend of sassy club passing. Both of them learned an array of circus arts and performed in numerous acts together. Lyla specializes in contortion, Poppy in juggling, and both do partner acrobatics. So, when they formed this duo, it only made sense to combine the disciplines. You can catch them most weekends in their home ring with Circus Harmony inside City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri!

Juan Guardiola & Eric Sipos began performing together in 2016 through a convergence of flow arts and juggling that sparked a creative partnership and quickly took to stages across the country. Whether captivating audiences with solo acts or dynamic duets, their performances blend technical precision with playful innovation. After a few years away from the spotlight, Juan and Eric return with renewed energy and a brand new piece, created especially for Kinetic Fire and IJA 2025.