In Tents

Recess Monkey

Recess Monkey is the nationally acclaimed trio of elementary school teachers who rock! Known for high-energy shows and catchy, hysterical recordings, they proudly present their eighth studio album, the circus-themed "In Tents." Jack, Drew and Daron continue to be praised across the country for singable, dancable songs that parents enjoy as much as their kids. Time Magazine celebrated Recess Monkey's " tight, smart, acclaimed original songs... and seriously grooving funk." People Magazine gave them 4/4 stars. Mindy Thomas from SiriusXM's Kids Place Live says, "These guys are able to tap into elementary school so well that it's like they never left. In this never-ending nationwide talent show of kid and family music, they are most definitely at the top." Says Stefan Shepherd of Zooglobble.com, "Recess Monkey just keeps turning out album after album with pop nuggets, as if we'd just discovered that the Beatles had recorded a ton of kids music 40+ years ago." Cookie Magazine says, "This Seattle trio knows how to get kids excited." This children's music band isn't just for kids!

Ariana Lallone

Ariana has proudly spent her entire professional dance career performing for our Mercer Street neighbors here in Seattle, Pacific Northwest Ballet. For the last 17 years, she soared as a prestigious principal dancer for this internationally acclaimed dance company. Born and raised in Southern California, Ariana accepted a scholarship to attend the PNB School before joining the company as an apprentice in 1987. The following year she was promoted to corps de ballet, became a soloist in 1993 and was named principal in 1994. Her last PNB bow came in June 2011. Ariana has danced numerous leading roles in both classical and contemporary ballets including Kent Stowell's Carmen, Carmina Burana and The Nutcracker; Nacho Duato's Jardi Tancat; Val Caniparoli's Lambarena; George Balanchine's Rubies and Prodigal Son; and William Forsythe's In the middle, somewhat elevated. Ariana toured with PNB both nationally and internationally. She performed the solo from Val Caniparoli's Lambarena at the Benois de la Danse Gala in Warsaw, Poland, in 1997 and the role of Hippolyta in the BBC's 1999 film version of PNB's production of Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dreamfilmed at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London.Her performances have won numerous accolades including being featured on the cover of Dance Magazine. Ariana's made her Teatro ZinZanni debut in Bonsoir Liliane! in September 2011 and is excited to be performing in the spiegeltent again for "In Tents."

Peter Pitofsky

Ever since running away from his home in New York City and joining the Ringling Bros Circus, Peter has been delighting audiences worldwide with his zany combination of slapstick comedy, uncanny timing, and improvisational shenanigans. Peter's expansive comedy background includes street performing on the infamous Venice Beach boardwalk and working the comedy circuit at the L.A. Comedy Store and The Improv. Peter's malleable face and willingness to do anything for a laugh have earned him opening slots with some of comedy's heavyweights including Mel Brooks, Jay Leno, Penn & Teller, and more. Most recently, Peter has been making people laugh until their sides ache in sold out shows in Rotterdam, Moscow and Vienna's Palazzo. He has been winning the hearts of audiences in both the Seattle and San Francisco tents since 2002 where he has appeared in numerous shows and has been an instructor at Camp ZinZanni.

Sergey Krutikov

Ukrainian musician and juggler Sergey Krutikov, is one of Teatro ZinZanni's founding artists. His infectious and dynamic personality, legendary balance, and remarkable juggling skills are a testament to the rigorous training he received as a young performer with the Moscow Circus and to his fine performance instincts. Sergey will dazzle one and all with his circus feats, charm everyone with his infectious smile, and (if you are lucky) serenade you with his playful accordion. In addition to performing around the globe, Sergey is one of Camp ZinZanni's world-class instructors, always ready to pass his love of performance and juggling onto the next generation of clowns and circus stars.

Saffi Watson

10 year old Saffi is a fourth grader at Puesta del Sol Elementary, where she is enrolled in the Spanish Immersion program. Saffi studies rhythmic gymnastics at International Rhythmic Gymnastics (IRG) under the direction of Tiana Grow; contortion with Teatro ZinZanni's very own Vita Radionova; and studies aerials with Alyssa Hellrung, and performs with the Magnificent 7 youth company, at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA). In 2010, Saffi performed with the visiting Cirque Dreams Illumination show in Seattle, inserting herself into a scene with Mongolian contortionists. She has been a featured contortionist and aerialist in SANCA's Moisture Festival shows, and has shared the stage with clown Godfrey Daniels and the Toy-Box Trio. Saffi lives with her parents, tap dancing sister Anabel, and her greyhound Skippy (who sometimes gets to sleep in her room) in Bellevue. Saffi thanks Harlan Glotzer from Toy-Box Trio for the use of his piece "Outro" in her contortion act and composer Jeremiah McLane for the use of his piece "Carousel" in her aerial act.

Korum Bischoff

A drummer and graphic artist, Korum is active in the children's music scene as drummer for Johnny Bregar and the Country Dawgs and is also a drum instructor out of his Bainbridge Island studio. Most recently, Korum returned from a trip to New York City where he rounded out the percussion section (along with his dad and eight year-old son) in a concert featuring his brother Jherek Bischoff's compositions, along with guest singer David Byrne among others. Aside from making music, Korum's "day job" supports the spectacular programming at Teatro ZinZanni as its Design and Marketing Manager. Korum dedicates this performance to his wife and two boys and hopes being in this show keeps him "cool" just a little bit longer.