Meet Tristan Cunningham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristan Cunningham.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story starts with the circus. When I was ten, I ran away and joined the circus with Vermont’s own homegrown country circus Circus Smirkus. After touring with the circus for eight years, doing acrobatics and Ariel acts I decided to change my focus to acting and graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in theater arts and film.

At the age of ten, I knew that my calling was to be on stage or in a ring or really anywhere where people could focus on me. The joy I felt performing then is still a joy I feel when I am on stage or embodying a character for film/television now. I feel incredibly grateful that my job on this planet has always been very clear to me. That being said it has not always been the easiest career choice, but one that is filled with an incredible amount of praise and gratitude.

When I was twelve years old, I lost my mother to cancer. She was a fierce and motivational woman and could see the performer in me. I participated in anything and everything she could possibly get me into. After she passed, the circus became a home for me. I felt free in the circus ring and began to find and specify my performing self.

Unfortunately, my home life was in constant motion. I first lived with my older brother and then transferred into being under the state’s custody. After moving to a few homes I finally landed with the woman I still consider my rock in the world. Throughout all of the challenges I experienced in my growing years, acting, performing, and storytelling was always a place where I felt at home.

My hope is that the things I have experienced in my life will help me, embody characters in a way where others can relate, or as a tool to help them feel things they may have never felt before. My calling has been clear to me for a long time, so at this point, it is not a question about should I, it is the question of how do I make it happen.

My other passion is teaching, sharing the things I know with others because I had so many great teachers in my lifetime. I teach acting as a tool to empower young voices, and I teach circus skills as life skills. I recently traveled to Kenya to work with students there and create a piece of theater devised by them. My hope is I am teaching tools that can help my students throughout their lives, because I know how impactful the arts have been on my life. In closing, I will be forever grateful for the ups and downs of this career, the rejection, the instability, and the physical and mental tax, because even if I did not realize it at the time, these crucial moments in my life molded me into the human being that I am today.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a bumpy road for sure. Losing my mother who was my main support system, not having a solid home, finding who I am in this world without the guidance of parents, finding my worth, knowing and trusting how much I bring to the table. It is a constant battle in this line of work to remain confident with yourself and to truly remember how amazing and unique you are.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am an LA Actor, circus performer, and circus/acting teacher. I am known to be a sort of chameleon with the range of characters I can play. I love deep and real work and stories of voices who aren’t often heard.

As a teacher my main focus or what I believe I am known for is using acting or circus as a tool for my students to find their voices and for teaching the beauty of this art form, how you can create a story in so many unique and different ways.

In the circus world, I am known for my clowning these days. Trying as best I can to spread that good medicine called laughter.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I’ve always considered myself a strong person. Physically and mentally. My performing days started in circus which is a pure test of strength. Combating some of the challenges I faced takes strength and to keep a healthy spirit and mind in this line of work takes strength. So strength!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tristancunningham.com
• Instagram: @tristancunningham_1

Image Credit:
David Muller

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