Thomas Gorham on Nudity, Storytelling, and Acrobatics in Head First Acrobats

Australian acrobat Thomas Gorham, co-founder of Head First Acrobats and a graduate of Melbourne's National Institute of Circus Arts, explains why nudity is central to his act. In an interview with ArtsHub's Liam, he says the initial nervousness faded because audiences are more embarrassed than the performers, creating a liberating dynamic. Gorham distinguishes between family and adult shows: stunts remain equally demanding, but adult versions have higher production values, more narrative content, and less clothing. His production 'Return of the GODZ' imagines Greek gods descending from Mount Olympus, using acrobatics to convey each god's aura. Gorham's international career blends hand-to-hand acrobatics, head balancing, breakdancing, and physical comedy.