Ali Williams

Ali Williams

Cofounder & Former Creative Director | Core Team

Ali Williams is one of the co-founders and former creative directors of NoFit State.

Over the past 30 years with the company she has been a performer, fundraiser, community director, and creative producer of many NoFit State shows including Immortal, Parklife & Barricade, Open House and BLOCK.

She was director of the Circus Development Agency from 2008-10 and has been an active member of the Circostrada European Circus and Street Arts network. Her interest has always been in using circus as a tool to improve communities and supports many social circus projects.

Ali was a member of Jugglers for peace, a group that toured Nicaragua and Cuba in the late 1980's. Jugglers for Peace became the inspiration for more organisations such Clowns Without Borders and Performers Without Borders who are continuing to work in war zones and areas of poverty.

In 2013, she completed a year’s sabbatical in Nepal where she worked with Circus Kathmandu, a social circus project that works with traffic survivors rescued from Indian circuses. With Circus Kathmandu, she produced 'Swagatam', a work that enabled the company to tour internationally in Norway, UK and Australia.

As well as producing professional shows, she believes in engaging with communities and giving them opportunities to take part in performances alongside the production’s professional team. Ali supports circus companies and promoters in an advisory capacity, having been on the Roundhouse circus advisory board and the artistic advisory board for Circolombia. She has also mentored emerging companies and is passionate about supporting trainees and emerging artists to develop their talents.

Though Ali focuses on contemporary creations she loves the traditional circus lifestyle of traveling and living outdoors with a community who share a common vision.

Since leaving NoFit State in 2016, Ali has continued her work with Aman and Renu, two performers from Kathmandu, on 'As A Tiger In The Jungle', a powerful work that explores and their incredible story. The show toured the UK and Europe.

Contact Information

Email Address
  aliwilliamscircus@gmail.com