Writing is a Circus
Creative Writing Retreat with Circus Arts
Casa Chango in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Instructors: Emily Van Kley & Marlo Winter
April 19-26, 2025
Are you already an aerialist? Check out the SkyWriting – Writing & Act Creation Retreat here.
Spend a week in paradise with new friends, the beach, delicious food, movement & creative writing magic!
This is a writer’s retreat with a movement twist: enjoy time for focused writing with a view of the ocean in gorgeous Oaxaca, Mexico, along with daily introductory to aerial acrobatics lessons to encourage generative play, camaraderie and embodiment. Challenge yourself, build strength and confidence, and connect with your inner clown. You’ll share the week with circus artists exploring creative writing as a tool for act creation. Two beautiful dance studios are available 24-hours, while delicious meals and an outdoor pool and jacuzzi give space for circus artists and writers to gather, exchange inspiration around art, performance, and the stories we tell.
We’ll end the week with a reading/ circus show for the community, celebrating what we’ve made! This retreat is suitable for writers at any stage of their careers. Aerial instruction will be offered in a body positive atmosphere and tailored for each participant. Whatever your movement background, you’ll be supported in finding joy in the air.
When you aren’t training, you’ll be eating amazing, healthy food, lounging at the pool, swimming in the ocean, reading in hammocks, and enjoying being in nature. Optional extras include nature excursions and a night time epic photo shoot. Get ready to move, play, breathe, feel, stretch, and express. At Casa Chango you are invited to shine and be yourself!
Daily Schedule Sample: Everything is optional!
- 8-9:30 am: Coffee, Tea and Breakfast
- 9am-1pm: Self-Directed Writing
- 1pm: Lunch
- 1-3:30pm: Pool-time, siesta, relaxing
- 3:30pm: Afternoon ice coffee & sweet treats
- 4:30-6:30pm: Intro to Aerial Acrobatics
- 7pm Dinner
- 8-10pm Evening activities
We’ll take you to our favorite beach for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and releasing baby turtles into the sea.
Space is limited, so sign up now!
Your Teachers
Eda Begadix—or Marlo Winter, as their father calls them—has been performing in Olympia, Washington, for nearly a decade, predominantly as an aerial artist. Over the years they learned the power of softening the edges of technique and tuning into artistic vulnerability and authentic presence in service of physical storytelling and cathartic experience. With over 50 unique acts under their belt, their magic is shape shifting. They are a founding member of Airbound Underground Circus Collective, an aerial instructor at Sparrow Studios, and a producer of The Brotherhood Takes Flight, a local 13-year-running running aerial show. In New Orleans they perform with LadyBeast, their sexy french-lady doubles rope partner. Their clown characters keep both feet on the ground while reaching into the corners of the mind to see what wild stuff arrives. Marlo is currently on a journey into long-form physical storytelling. In 2023 they wrote and produced two full-length shows: Private Pansy, a renegade experimental theater project about the experience of gay soldiers in WWII, which opened on a local playground structure and featured a cast of aeralists and dancers, and Falsettos and Sunsets, a comedic romp considering polyamory through the experiences of Richard Begaldix, one of Marlo’s clown characters, and George Lamps, played by the talented Luz Glaxiola. Read more about Marlo’s act creation philosophy below!
Emily Van Kley is a prizewinning poet and circus artist with an MFA in creative writing. She is the author of the poetry collections The Cold and the Rust, and Arrhythmia, both from Persea Books. Emily’s writing has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including editions of Best American Poetry and Best New Poets. Emily has worked as an aerial instructor and performer for nearly ten years, teaching intro through intermediate silks, rope, trapeze, lyra, and sling in Olympia, Washington. As a founding member of the Airbound Underground Circus Collective, she has created dozens of solo, duo, and group acts, and is known for her memorable characters. Her ‘vertical poems’ combine aerial acrobatics, poetry, and film. Find more about Emily and her writing at emilyvankley.com
Retreat Pricing (in USD):
| Room | Early Bird Price | Full Price |
| Shared Dorm (gender mixed) | $2000 | $2300 |
| Shared Private Room (2 friends sharing a room) 1 king size bed or 2 individual beds | $2200 | $2500 |
| Private Room with Shared Bathroom | $2500 | $2800 |
| Private Room with Private Bathroom | $2800 | $3100 |
| Private Room with Private Bathroom and Air Conditioning | $3100 | $3400 |
Early bird discount ends January 15, 2025.
Full tuition is due by March 15, 2025.
Rates refer to cost of one person’s tuition.
Couples must sign up together.
Rates refer to cost of one person’s tuition.
Couples/SO’s are welcome at an additional price.
What’s included:
- Ground transportation to/from the Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM) to our accommodations*
- Arrive on April 19. Depart on April 26.
- Accommodations for the duration of the retreat
- Daily meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert & snacks
- 2 Daily classes (4-6 hours total/day)
- Aerial photoshoot
- Evening activities
- Trips to local beaches, baby turtle release, and night market
- 24 hour use of Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi, and Community Spaces
- High Speed Starlink Wifi Internet
- Evening Jacuzzi soaks
What People Are Saying:
For years I fantasied about leaving my daily reality to go train circus all day while living in community, being in the sunshine and not have to worry about food. I had that all with Sweet Retreats. I just completed a month of high class training, incredible food, sisterhood, dance, nature adventures & so much more that cannot be put into words.
The coaches are the real deal and trust me when I say you will be taken with the utmost care not just physically and in regards to your circus goals, but emotionally and even spiritually if you desire. It’s a circus experience for you that can truly be transformative, healing or intensely physical. The experience is crafted by you, held by an array of extremely qualified and caring professionals who are passionate about self expression, play & community.
If you are thinking about attending one or are on the fence trust me when I say you should absolutely invest in yourself. I cannot recommend Sweet Retreats enough. You’ll grow as a circus artist and person in ways that you can’t imagine.
Luna Mammon 2024
I truly don’t have enough words to describe how positive this experience was for me. I came to Sweet Retreats hoping to gain strength and endurance on the silks as well as improve my flow and sequencing in the air. I ended up leaving with so much more than that! Not only did I make substantial progress toward my goals, but I left feeling intrinsically connected to the art of aerial, dance, expression, and creation. Kerri creates such a special environment that nurtures growth and liberation, and that truly allows you to come into your own as an artist. I discovered that through being immersed in this incredible community, the aerial classes, the silliness, the improvisation and creative exercises, I unmasked a confidence to explore my art and express myself in a way that felt healing and inspiring. This was a invaluable gift from this experience that I will hold on to forever.
I could not recommend this special place enough for anyone who wants to feel the magic of circus and community.
Kristine Westergard
Sweet Retreats was so much more than I expected! I knew it was going to be an amazing experience, full of friends, circus arts and nature, but where they also really went above and beyond was the retreat center and the food and hospitality! Such a comfortable space for relaxing and enjoying the views. We had options for Eco-adventure excursions throughout the week! This place is a must see because they hit all aspects of a retreat and learning experience at a top tier!
Tailor Pollak
Questions? Email us at SweetRetreatsMexico@gmail.com.
Links for more information:
- Accommodations – room descriptions
- Meals and Food*
- How to get here. Info and advice on booking your travel to Puerto Escondido.**
- Weather in Puerto Escondido
- Testimonials
- Excursions
Discounts
- Sign up early to get the Early Bird Discount
- Refer a friend to any of our upcoming programs and get a $100 referral discount. You get $100 discount for each person you refer. Referrals must be for first timers at Sweet Retreats.
- Sign up on our mailing list to find out about more discounts.
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