Fly and Create

All reservations are by appointment only.

Stone Mountain Farm:
310 River Road Ext, New Paltz, NY
Williamsburg Studio:
156 North 4th St #7, Brooklyn, NY

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: CLOSED for Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year.

Keep our community healthy, please stay home if you are feeling sick.

At 5th Wall Studio we love to teach people to fly; both in harness and as creators. We are a residency space and aerial studio for emerging and teaching artists. Our mission is to create, facilitate and support genre blurring theater in New York City and the Hudson Valley.

We offer classes in harness and circus for all types of creatives, and we aim to connect artists from the city with access to nature; giving urban artists access to wild places and rural artists access to NYC resources. By cross pollinating these two vibrant communities we hope to catalyze unexpected creations.

We designed our classes and spaces to serve our own creative and teaching needs and because of this they are well suited for circus and moving artists, however as cross genre artists ourselves we support artists of many disciplines.

Our Williamsburg studio is well equipped for private and small group trainings, photo and video shoots; with a 25 square ft padded floor, 20 ft ceilings with easy rigging, show lights, six large windows, black-out curtains, air conditioning and adjustable heating.

1.5 hours north of NYC in New Paltz NY, we have 3 beautiful open air creative spaces. For those who haven’t been to one of our retreats, Stone Mountain Farm is full of mountain hikes, sun-dappled forests, streams- for cooling your toes, cabins, camping and the Rail Trail Cafe; an open air farm-to-table cafe serving delicious food and hosting live music on weekends.

We were the Aerial Design Team for the Tony Award Winning show, The Lost Boys . We trained 13 performers our harness technique and helped set and teach the movement.

Hire Us

At 5th Wall Studio, we love to collaborate with other artists and entities.

We are in a unique position to fully facilitate flying and acrobatic scenes for artistic productions, installations, directors, choreographers, corporate events and individual artists. We can consult on a single moment or become core members of a creative team for full production development. Because of our diverse skill sets and love of teaching, we are able to guide artists in all levels and genres to be at home in the air. We also have a beautiful, flexible, private space for you to create, film and even perform in. Contact us to find out it we can support your creative vision.

We offer:

Choreography, Direction and Development
We specialize in aerial and acrobatic choreography and we work in many genres.

Aerial Actor Training
From novice to pro, circus, stunts or harness we can safely and smoothly integrate aerial and acrobatic moments.

Consultation
We offer experienced advice in a range of areas, including: aerial prop development, stunts, choreography, rigging and smoothing production flow.

Past Collaborations

Julie Taymor’s Midsummer Night's Dream at Theater for a New City
Collaborators: Julie Taymor
Aerial choreography, aerial coaching

I Can Do That
Collaborators: NBC
Choreography, direction, actor training
Nicole Scherzinger and Alan Ritchson

Sanger Project
Collaborators: One Year Lease Theater Company
Aerial actor training, consultation, rigging installation, rehearsal space

The Chris Gethard Show
Collaborators: TruTV Chris Gethard and Adam Pally
Rigging of the Gethpress 3000, Stunt safety

Electroenlytenment Industrial
Collaborators: MKTG, Workhorse
Example of deep collaboration, choreography, aerial, direction

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness - So Close (Official Music Video)
Collaborators: The Windmill Factory - A Michael Joseph McQuilken Film, Choreography by Tyler Gilstrap
5th Wall Studio: Aerial Sequence- Actor training, consulting, rigging design

I Can Do That Collaborators: NBC Choreography, direction, actor training Nicole Scherzinger and Alan Ritchson

The Chris Gethard Show Collaborators: TruTV Chris Gethard and Adam Pally Rigging of the Gethpress 3000, Stunt safety

Electroenlytenment Industrial Collaborators: MKTG, Workhorse Example of deep collaboration, choreography, aerial, direction

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness - So Close (Official Music Video) Collaborators: The Windmill Factory - A Michael Joseph McQuilken Film, Choreography by Tyler Gilstrap 5th Wall Studio: Aerial Sequence- Actor training, consulting, rigging design

“The (Breaking Surface) cast’s physical feats, while suspended on delicate harnesses or gliding across the water logged stage, displayed their sheer technical aptitude. The audience was mystified by the quality of the performers, as well as their ability to create a fully immersive and passionate experience.”

— Julia Kennedy (Broadway World)

Learn to Fly

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS →

5th Wall studio is fiscally sponsored, which means we can accept tax deductible donations through Fractured Atlas. Please consider supporting us, so we can keep making and supporting art and artists in NYC and the Hudson Valley!

“I love taking classes that tone my body and soul without realizing how hard I'm working. Gwyn and Bill create a safe and fun environment for learning such a unique skill. I was so surprised how quickly I could learn new choreography and tricks with them. I really appreciate their years of experience in dance, acrobatics, and performance. I highly recommend this class!”

—Suzanne Boothby, Writer, Health Coach, Adventurer at Heart

“Taking class with Gwyn and Bill is a wonderful, inspiring and fun experience. They are kind, professional and safe. Both are incredible movers, especially Gwyn, when she flies effortlessly with Bill's support it is like watching something straight out of heaven. The air awareness looks easier than it actually is, but the time you're able to experiment makes it possible to SEE progress. A warm, enjoyable, affordable experience that I would recommend to anyone wanting to Fly.”

—Paige Allison, Stunt Woman

"To take Flying Classes with Gwyn and Billy is transforming. You can confront your fears of heights or being upside down because their gentle guidance and encouragement fuels you. I felt emotional being that free up in the air. I wish I could do it everyday. “

—Evita Arce, Swing dancer and Teacher at michaelandevita.com

“Flying with Billy and Gwyn at 5th Wall is a joyous exploration of the art of the impossible. For me, the vulnerability I feel aerial dancing is what makes my expression feel more grounded, no irony intended. Bill and Gwyn create a safe space for that vulnerability, and I am free to explore.”

—Jessica Krueger, Professional Dancer, Acrobat

The Lost Boys Broadway