jANELLE Peters

(AKA Janelle Dinosaurs)

Artist, Coach, Choreographer, Director, Cirque Psych.

About Janelle

Janelle Peters, LSW, (they/she) is a queer circus artist, choreographer, director, and circus coach. Specializing in contortion and aerial hoop, Janelle draws upon their background in martial arts, and dance to create work with the goal of leaving audiences feeling seen, and whole. In addition to performing and teaching independently and at festivals all over the northern hemisphere (so far), Janelle is a founding member, choreographer, performer, and first director with Oakland, California-based company, Hypothetical Circus.

Alongside their artistic and coaching work, Janelle creates materials and facilitates conversations about mental health, wellbeing, and systemic change in circus. This work stems from the question, “What if circus were KNOWN for valuing the wholeness and humanity of everyone involved?”. Janelle offers individual, trauma-informed, social-justice-oriented psychotherapy from a queer lens in their small private practice in Colorado, USA. 

Across all elements of their work, Janelle pushes back on assumptions, encourages nuance, and prioritizes connection. 

Notable projects and events:

Out of Our Depth 2023 - Hypothetical Circus - Director, Soloist, Duo, Ensemble.

St. John’s International Circus Festival, 2022, 2023 - Guest Artist, Circus Teacher Exchange Speaker.

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival, 2020, 2021, 2023 - Guest Artist, Guest Instructor.

Kinetic Arts Center Summer Circus Celebration, 2022, 2023 - Guest Artist, Guest Instructor.

Vespertine Circus, 2016-2022 - Cast Member, Choreographer.

MOTH Contemporary Circus Center, 2017-2020 - Cast Member, Coach, Choreographer, Education Director.

Ascend Aerial Arts, 2014-2017 - Lead Coach.

Paperdoll Militia, 2012 - Apprentice.