Leah Abel

Leah Abel is Founder, Executive Director, and Head Coach of Circus Up, a Boston-based social circus organization. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons College and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Leah additionally holds a master’s degree in Environmental Law and Policy.

Leah performs and teaches with Clowns Without Borders, which has sent her to Haiti, Palestine, Myanmar, Lebanon, and Texas. She has worked as a hospital clown for many years, both with the Big Apple Circus and currently with Laughter League, bringing smiles to children and their families at Boston Children’s Hospital. Leah also stilts at various events and locations, including Fenway Park, and performs aerials all over New England at corporate, community, and college events both solo and with her doubles partner, Molly Baechtold – as Baechtold and Abel. Leah believes passionately in equity, access, and social justice for all, and in using the arts for social change. She is a strong supporter and practitioner of both the Liberation Health Model and restorative justice practice; all of these principles and practices are interwoven throughout the work of Circus Up. Leah loves to promote circus for social change, including using expressions of joy as a form of resistance.

Leah has a glorious time teaching aerials and other circus skills to kids and adults in and around the Boston area, and is happy to be part of the Commonwealth Circus Center team.