Our Story
After working alongside one another for years, four Asian American circus artists—Angela Chu, Christine Lee, Nina Sawant, and Teri Wing—came together to form The Dahlias. With their innovative, elegant, and exquisitely costumed circus acts, they set out to create positive representation for Asian Americans in the circus arts.
They leveraged their combined 40 years of experience with their broad collective skills in design, choreography, sales, and marketing to create a new niche within event performance. Demand quickly grew for their unique brand, and they have since expanded to include a roster of top circus performers and creative collaborators spanning the entire West Coast.
Meet the Founders
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Angela Chu
Performing since 2010
Angela is drawn to the circus arts because, “When I’m training or performing, I have to focus on only what I am doing and any other weight of the world is temporarily gone. Circus makes time stop and only the music, movement, and magic of the moment continue to spin.”
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Christine Lee
Performing since 2007
For Christine, circus means, “community, creativity and freedom. Having worked in a corporate job, running away to join the circus has been fulfilling in every way—work never feels like work and I’m constantly inspired and excited about the next project and the next day.”
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Nina Sawant
Performing since 2006
Nina loves circus because it “embraces and celebrates our differences. The more you learn to make the most of your quirks, the more interesting you are as a circus performer.”
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Teri Wing
Performing since 2007
To Teri, “circus is a journey of self discovery, which has taught her that miracles can happen.”