Conversations with Hannah Harman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Harman.

Hannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first heard about aerial acrobatics in 2010, I checked the area and there really wasnt much for offerings to learn. I ended up moving but when I returned to Orange County 2 years later a few studios had opened up. I was a broke college student and not able to afford classes, I did a work trade cleaning the gym, locker room, and bathroom, in exchange for classes. I had no prior training in dance or gymnastics (sports that are most similar to aerial) but I was hooked. I even had some additional challenges of learning aerial after having spine surgery a few years prior. 3 months after taking my first aerial class I signed up for a competition, West Coast Aerial Arts Festival (WCAAF), hosted right in Costa Mesa at the time. I kicked training into gear and with 1 month to become competition ready I gave it my all. I began training under Ruby Karen by also doing work trade for her. I competed in WCAAF just 4 months after starting aerial and placed 3rd…….. out of 3! I was so happy with my work the placing didnt really matter to me. I loved the expression and unique form I could communicate through. I trained under Ruby Karen for several years and joined her professional group, I think I was the worst person on it, so many perfromers were crazy talented coming from contortion and strict dance and gymnastics backgrounds. I generally was picked last out of this professional group to be booked for the events but it didnt stop me from putting in the work to climb my way up the ranks. Slowly I started to become a higher pick on the roster for events, my hard work was paying off! I do look back and think the trials of trying so hard to become a performer was what lead me to where I am now.

I did quite a few things over the next decade while learning aerial arts. A few worth noting were I became teacher certified through Aerial Arts America. Taught at a variety of studios and moved to San Francisco and taught up there at the now closed Aerial Artique.

Skipping forward quite a bit I now reside in South Orange County and my home training base is Freedom Aerial. I was teaching a ton and having a lot of fun watching people find the same passion I did. I wanted to cultivate that. Its really hard to persue performing and at the same time know where to start, how to book gigs, how to make it a business, etc. I decided I wanted to start a performing group! I already was booking events with my aerial partner Lucy so I figured how hard can it be…. Well its a bit more involved than I thought but the ride has certainly been a journey I am glad I jumped into. Figuring out insurance, liability, licensing, logistics, it was all something I hadnt taken into consideration but now I feel like I am a pro at it. So I decided to found Palindrome Entertainment. I specifically want it to be a performing group that is collaborative and consists of members that build each other up while also pushing to challenge themselves physically and creatively. My team right now is so amazing and everyone brings their own unique flair to the growing collective. We perform all over and all varieties of events such as music events and festivals, galas, parties, street fairs, etc.

Up next for me is continuing to grow my collective into another venture Palindrome Collective, a training and freethinking space for people to learn and explore how they can become a better performer.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think I answered that a bit before.

-becoming good enough to get picked for events
-having someone believe in me to cast me for shows
-branching off on my own to create my own performing group
-learning the more legal aspect of the business; liability, insurance, licensing, business

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think what makes Palindrome Entertainment the most unique is that we actually love what we do! We want to perform! We dont come with egos and we want to give our best show to each and every event we are booked for. Its more than just a business its a form of expression and art we have the pleasure of sharing with everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://palindrome-entertainment.com/
• Instagram: @palindromeentartainment