Carisa Hendrix

Guinness World Record Holder (2014 Book, Page 86) and Award Winning Entertainer, featured in Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Vegas Strip Search. Carisa Hendrix has been thrilling audiences all over Canada and internationally for the past 8 years with her signature blend of classy, cute comedy entertainment. Circus Artist, Sideshow Stunt Girl, Balloon Sculpture and now wowing crowds as a Female Magician, Hendrix is a skilled entertainer with a wide range talents. As the Artistic Director of Ballyhoo Entertainment she is excited to be working with an array of talented young artist to provide wide range of fun & creative entertainment options for special events.

Grateful for the recently attention from her appearances in 2 difference popular Youtube projects Protector’s Chronicles (300000+ combined views) and The Art of Slow Motion Fire Eating (75000+ views). Perhaps what she is most known for is the expertise she displays in her best selling instructional DVD on Fire Eating as well as the 800+ fire eating students who have learned from her first hand in classes all over Canada.

[TOC]

Quick Stats

Born: Prince Albert, SK 1987, Raised in Calgary AB
Citizenship: Canadian
Languages Spoken: English & French
Education: Alberta College of Art & Design 2007-2010, One Yellow Rabbit Lab Intensive 2012

Recent Accolades & Accomplishments

2015
★ Stared in her original, all female, magic show on the Las Vegas Strip
★ Smashed her kickstarter campaign goal for Temporala an original Time-Travel Magic Show
★ Stage Managed for Magic Live in Las Vegas
★ Attended the magic castle for the first time with her hero Ariann Black
★ Performed the closing ceremonies for the Canadian Ismaili Games
★ Won top 3 in Calgary’s Late Night’s Got Talent
★ Performed a guest spot in Chicago’s longest running weekly magic show the Magic Cabaret

2014
★ Featured in the Ripple’s Believe it or Not 2014 Book
★ Performed with Hello Moth at the Western Canadian Music Awards
★ Performed the world’s first fire breathing triple high with Ryan Stock and AmberLynn Walker
★ Hired a full-time assistant

2013
★ Was featured on page 87 of the Guinness Book of World Record Holder 2014 for the Fire Eating Stunt, Torch Teething
★ Award Canada’s Best Entertainment 2013 by the Wedding Industry Experts
★ Created Canada’s only travailing “ten-in-one” Revival Carnival Show
★ Became a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Canadian Association of Magicians.
★ Featured in the Ripple’s Believe it or Not Comic Book on March 19, 2013

2012
★ Became the Guinness World Record Holder for the Fire Eating Stunt, Torch Teething in Rome, Italy
★ Founded Studio Stoke, a training space and art studio in downtown Calgary
★ Organized the 4th consecutive Prop Fest, the Alberta Juggling & Circus Festival
★ Was accepted to the One Yellow Rabbit Lab Intensive, and survived the full 3 weeks of training
★ Awarded Sponsored Artist by Juggle Gear

2011
★ Landed the Cover Story of Avenue Magazine
★ Voted to the NAFAA (the North American Fire Arts Association) Council
★ Crowned Miss Alt Calgary, for her Alternative Modeling Work
★ Created and launched Firepedia, an online resource for prop manipulation and fire arts.

2010
★ Finalist for Best Actress in a short film at the Maverick Movie Film Awards
★ Release the instructional DVD How To Eat Fire to rave reviews
★ Selected as Miss March for the Warrior Princess Fantasy Calendar
★ Featured on Alberta Primetime as an Extreme Albertan

2009
★ Was selected for a juried, paid gallery showing of her Time Base, Performative Installation “Private Space” at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts which was later published in a catalogue of the work

Early Life – How did you get into this?

Growing up in Calgary as a young child, Hendrix became somewhat of a poster child for youth volunteerism in a desperate attempt to make friends. Throughout this awkward phase she worked with community organizations, accumulated leadership awards and seemed to be on the fast track to a career in the social services helping people a feeling pleasantly superior.

The image to the right is photographic evidence of literally being a poster child for youth volunteerism

So how did this sweet little girl, become the sequin clad, fire eating weirdo we all know today?

Well, at the age of 16 Hendrix’s interest in sideshow and showbiz was sparked by a chance encounter with a sideshow freak and the misguided support of a school chum. Soon, after only a few months of training, she was already doing small shows despite their unbelievable crappiness.

After high school, she took a job as an educator & program director at a not-for-profit working with children, but it was too late, her fall to the world of low brow entertainment was inevitable. She managed to keep both careers alive for a few years, but rewarding as teaching was, the shiny allure of the stage was just too enticing

Education – Where did you learn this stuff?

Carisa was fortunate to work alongside a long roster of talented artists and entertainers early in her showbiz career. These individuals provided help and support, opened her eyes to a variety of different performative styles and kept her thoroughly intimidated for many years.

She studied acting, dance, comedy, circus, prop manipulation, vaudeville, burlesque, modeling, and magic and after being accepted to ACAD (the Alberta College of Art and Design) in 2007, she also studied performance art, design, and video. This varied, if not slightly maddening education is responsible for the signature style that Hendrix is known for.

★ Alberta College of Art & Design 2007- 2010
★ One Yellow Rabbit Lab Intensive 2012

Current Projects – What are you doing now?

The last few years have been an incredible whirlwind for Carisa. After touring internationally for 2 years, winning an acting and a modeling award, being featured on television and magazine covers and winning a guinness world record, Carisa has moved back to Calgary excited to get in touch with old friends.

Since returning she’s working on publishing a 2nd edition of here instructional DVD, planned a successful festival, got back to work on Firepedia the online resources, joined committees in support of fire arts and started a small art and training studio downtown calgary.

If your interested in finding out more, in the last couple years Hendrix has began blogging about her adventures and passions here on Carisahendrix.com to help digest and contemplate the weird life that has taken her over.

Interviews with Carisa

★ Avenue Magazine Cover Story, Hot Jobs
★ Alberta Primetime Interview
★ Hoop Pretty Features me as a Hoopreneur
★ Interview with Hey Rube Circus
★ Ballycast Interview
★ Featured on the Vintage Lesbian Project
★ Interviewed for the Garden Variety Show
★ Global TV Calgary with Gil Tucker
★ Calgary Herald by Bryce Forbes
★ FFWD Weekly by Drew Anderson
★ Metro News Calgary
★ CBC Rabio
★ CBC News Calgary
★ PA Now by Sarah Wallace
★ Prince Albert Herald by Perry Bergson

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to know/do to have Fire Performance at my event?

Not much. Though we may have to jump through a few hoops before we can get approval for a fire at your event, it is very straightforward. I have arranged the logistics and safety for hundreds of events in the past with out issue.

I’ve made this helpful PDF that will explain all the details about everything you need to know to have fire performance at your event.

What if they don’t allow fire at my event? Can you perform without fire?

Absolutely. Although fire has become what I am most known for, I have a huge variety of material that does not involve fire.

Glow shows, Contemporary Poi, Staff, Fan, Flag and Hoop Dance, Glass walking, Block Head, Magic Routines and much more.

Is your show appropriate for families & children?

Yes! The circumstances of each event are taken into account when writing the show. I have several family friendly acts that may be a good fit for your event.

Years of having worked with children as a school teacher provides me with the knowledge and experience to write for children. My family acts are designed to entertain and hold the attention of even the most easily distracted child.

Where are you based? Are you willing to travel?

Officially I am based in Calgary since my studio is there, although I spend a lot of time in Edmonton and Montreal these days.

I am always happy to travel, I love being on the road and performing in new cities. In or outside Canada is no problem, and I have never had trouble securing a work visa when needed.

How did you get into all this?

When I was still a young girl, I had the good fortune to meet and be-friend a very talented variety entertainer who showed me the ropes and helped me book my first few gigs.

Over the next couple years I met many unbelievable entertainers who pushed me to learn new skills, and constantly work to improve my acts.

Performing has become my life’s passion. I am grateful everyday for the amazing people who have helped me along the way.

How much does your show cost?

This is hard question since I’m not sure what you are looking for, if you email me I can give you exact pricing.

It may help to know that all of our artists have a minimum booking rate of $225, this is also our rate for 2 hours of roving.