About skyhigh
Behind the curtain
Skyhigh Odditorium is an aerial community where bodies soar, creativity ignites, and people expand - both in the air and within themselves. Read below to learn about our mission statement, history and to learn about the founder and community.
our mission
Skyhigh Odditorium is an empowering community dedicated to adult aerial arts education. Founded on the idea that there is no “right” body for flight, our mission is to provide a radically inclusive space where all adult ages, backgrounds, and abilities are celebrated as they grow in strength, artistry and confidence.
Viewing aerial as a language, Skyhigh strives to provide in depth knowledge of it’s form of fitness and performance. Classes focus on anatomy, proprioception, and technique while safely exploring the creative + artistic side of aerial. Catering to the gamut of learning modalities, students individual intelligences are considered and applied in a student centered learning model.
Taking classes at Skyhigh aims to build functional fitness while joining a supportive community. We are more than a school, production company, performance group: we are a team of evolving individuals.
Skyhigh history
Skyhigh Odditorium was founded in 2011 by underground circus legend and pioneer, Drago Nesa. Inspired by the original set up of their aerial roots at House of Yes’s SkyBox, Drago saught to create a community of working artists who held the passion for building aerial community at the core of the mission.
The first form of Skyhigh took place from 2012 - 2018 in the Noodle Factory performing art’s center in West Oakland. For these 7 years, the underground venue took form as the aerial school, performance venue and live-work community for the core members. Residents had artist studios in the building which contributed to the mission of Skyhigh such as carpentry, costumes, bodywork, and music.
After the 2017 GhostShip fire, the Noodle Factory sold and Drago was forced to relocate at the end of their lease in 2018. Fortunately, they quickly found a new home for the aerial school at their now current location in Richmond, CA.
Without a home for performance and events, the business fragmented into what it is today. Skyhigh Odditorium maintains itself as an aerial education facility for adults where Drago teaches weekly group classes, open gyms, and training for in-house group, The Dragonettes. The events portion split into production companies: Dark Events, the seasonal variety shows, and Odditorium Entertainment, the booking agency. All aspects of the business have evolved but maintain their original mission.
meet the founder:
drago nesa
producer, educator, PERFORMER,
DRAGON EXTRAORDINAIRE!
Founder & owner of Skyhigh Odditorium, Drago is a nonbinary dragon and full time artist entrepreneur. They are a master producer, performer, coach, mentor and a truly resilient & relentless individual.
As an artist, they seek to inspire their audience to explore the impossible. Specializing in the rare art of vertical aerial chains, Drago blends their love of steel and vertical apparatus with their knowledge of and fire eating and manipulation. They are a World Record Holder for the Longest Body Burn while hanging from their teeth.
In their 15 years of performing, Drago has toured SE Asia & Central America and headlined events across the US. With DAM Circus, they performed at Coachella, LIB, & Envision, presenting group acts and choreographed stage shows. Drago performs with many established local Bay Area groups such as Kat Robichaud’s Misfit Cabaret, Twisted Windows, Princess SF, Poisn Ivy and spotlights at countless variety shows.
Merging their love for the stage with meticulous details & networking, Drago is co-Producer of DARK Events SF, a seasonal event production company with their partner Alex Veterano. Together they create a dream team of organization, creativity and technicality, striving to building community by hiring friends of theirs from local production companies. Drago is the founder of the Bay Area Producer Calendar, a tool used to help producers support each other’s work and not throw competing shows.
As an aerial coach + mentor, Drago seeks to expand their students’ minds from memorization to integrated learning. They hold an MA in Education, focusing on a student centered learning approach. Drago has led 2 aerial teacher training programs, and teaches over 40 regular students each week. They are the leader of The Dragonettes, transforming nearly 10 complete aerial novices to trained performers.
Drago is above all passionate about community, connection, health, and well being. They are a leader, not a boss, as well as a lifelong plant based eater. Outside of their business and community endeavors, they spend their time with their heir rescued iguana, Iggy.
Interested in taking a private lesson with Drago Nesa? Shoot them an email:
In-house performance troupe for Skyhigh Odditorium
Developing individual and group performances on aerial silks, lyra, sling, chains, pole and rope, the Dragonettes are a dedicated team of diverse talent. Beginning with Skyhigh’s in house student showcases, short films, theater shows, and productions, The Dragonettes have grown to become resident performers with various groups such as DARK Events, UMA Gallery, Princess SF, Good Fun Day, and a variety of private productions.
They have performed as a group locally as well as toured the California, performing in Nevada City, Sacramento & Santa Cruz. The Dragonettes’ are the resident group of performers and artist who make all Skyhigh events possible. They are constantly evolving their artistry and reaching new heights.
