“Spectacular. This piece evoked gasps, tears, understanding, and joy - a work of art, unlike anything I have seen before.” Rachel Lampert, Kitchen Theater Company
“Intimate without being insular. Polished without losing its rawness.” Sol Wooten, Ithaca Voice
an artist in pursuit of a dream
a collection of journal entries brought to life through circus
a tale of radical queer self acceptance
International Lover, Troy Lingelbach’s debut solo show, is the autobiographical odyssey of an artist and their trapeze. In this boldly vulnerable exposé, Troy abstracts their journey of radical queer self acceptance through a fusion of aerial, dance, performance art, and burlesque.
Seeking to answer the recurring phrase, “Am I qualified?” the piece explores how one can lose track of themselves while chasing a dream—and the grit required to confront and embrace one’s truth. Reckoning with the tensions of mind, body, and spirit, Troy invites the audience into their process of self-expansion, navigating gender, identity, and self-doubt, provoking understanding and joy.
Awakening to their true self, their sexuality, and their power as a person, Troy becomes the “International Lover.”
Creative Team:
Dramaturg and Audio Engineer: Brin Schoellkopf
Lighting Designer: Sara Gosses
Aerial Riggers: Josh Letton, Juan Pablo Alba-Dennis
This project is supported by Hupstate Circus, The Cherry Arts Space, and NYS Dance Force (a division of the NY State Council on the Arts).
International Lover was first developed at the Hupstate Circus Artist Residency in April, 2024.
International Lover has performed at the Festival Internacionál de Círco Actual (CDMX), Hupstate Circus Festival, the inaugural Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival, the June Dance Festival - Crossovers (Ithaca, NY), Cherry Arts Space (Ithaca, NY) as part of their 2026 winter season, and twice at the iconic House of Yes in Brooklyn, NY to sold out crowds.
For bookings, please inquire here.
The photos used on this page were taken by Cole Witter, Luis Suarez, Eduardo Olvera, and Luis Fonesca. Video footage shot by Z Crawford.
Coming Soon…
ECDYSIS
ECDYSIS will make its NYC premiere at Circus Academy in Brooklyn on November 21st, 2026, after its world debut at the Hupstate Circus Festival this September.
This project is supported by Hupstate Circus, NYS Dance Force, Bindlestiff Family Circkus (recipient of the 2026 First of May Award), and Circus Academy.
ECDYSIS
a haunting assessment of the consumer relationship to plastic
ecdysis: (n). the process of an insect shedding its outer cuticle layer, exposing its soft flesh
a new performance art experience by Troy Lingelbach, in collaboration with Verbal Animal. transforming a theatre into a plastic playground, Troy becomes a Cosmic Messenger sent to earth to share with humanity the message plastic has been trying to communicate for over a hundred years.
photo by Cole Witter.