Our Purpose

Staging Her is a nonprofit (501c3) organization that envisions a world where young women from developing countries rise beyond barriers, harnessing the transformative power of circus to tell their stories, defy expectations, and inspire change. Through training and performance in the United States, we create stages where their voices are heard, their talents celebrated, and their futures reimagined. These women return to their communities not just as artists, but as leaders—sparking systemic change and empowering the next generation to dream without limits.

What It Takes to Bring 8 Young Women to the U.S.

by AJ Kennedy | Aug 22, 2025

In May 2026, Staging Her is bringing eight extraordinary young women from underprivileged countries to the United States for an intensive circus arts training and performance tour. Over the course of two months, they will not only train and perform but also gain...

Meet the Founder: A Conversation with Emily Barber

by AJ Kennedy | Aug 8, 2025

At the heart of Staging Her is a vision for transformation—not just in how women move onstage, but how they move through the world. That vision began with Emily Barber, a self-taught aerialist whose journey from martial arts to circus arts would become the foundation...

How You Can Sponsor a Woman’s Journey (Even If You Can’t Donate Right Now)

by AJ Kennedy | Jul 31, 2025

At Staging Her, we believe that women’s empowerment begins when the world stops asking her to stay small. Our mission is to help women from underrepresented and developing communities rise beyond barriers through the transformative power of circus and performance....