Passing Zone jugglers perform for area high school students

Sounds of laughter and gasps of amazement filled the URS Center for Performing Arts on Friday when about 100 students from Midland Valley High School and Aiken Performing Arts Academy attended The Passing Zone’s “Gravity Attacks.”

Humorous juggling duo Jon Wee and Owen Morse, who make up the Passing Zone, were brought to Aiken by the Aiken Performing Arts Group for two public shows at the center, as well as one outreach program in the form of a private performance for local students.

During Friday’s show, Wee and Morse juggled multiple items, including a bowling ball, and showed the group of students a running chain saw – one of the many unique items the duo performs with on the tour.

Midland Valley freshman Ashley Benson said the show was not what she expected.

“It was hilarious,” the 15-year-old said. “It didn’t seem rehearsed like you would think, and it was just very spontaneous. It was amazing.”

During one part of the show, the duo stood back-to-back and, while juggling clubs over each other’s heads, made sure to tell the group “three key principles to teamwork.”

“Number one: Set a common goal,” said Wee as he flipped a club through the air.

Morse caught the club as he flipped another over his head.

“Number two: Trust each other’s ability,” he said.

“And number three,” said Wee, continuing to juggle, “Try not to freak out if, accidentally, your butts touch.”

The crowd laughed once again as they had several times throughout the show.

Then, it was time for audience interaction.

Keith Hutto, a senior at Midland Valley High School, was brought up on stage and told to lie flat as Morse straddled his body while holding three fully set mouse traps with handles attached on each end.

Hutto said he had no idea what was about to happen.

“I thought they were going to bring out the chainsaws on me,” he said, adding that he was kind of scared but also very excited. “But they brought out some mouse traps, so that was pretty surprising to me.”

After placing safety goggles on Hutto, Morse began juggling the mouse traps over Hutto’s head.

“I didn’t think he was going to do that; I thought they were just going to juggle in between me. That was pretty weird when they asked me to lay on the ground,” said Hutto.

Suddenly, Wee came running from the right side of the stage, jumped over Morse’s body and took over all three mouse traps, continuing the juggling, all in a matter of seconds.

Hutto was nearly speechless when asked what that was like for him.

“It was awesome,” he said. “Awesome.”

After the show, Morse and Wee expressed their thoughts on what it’s like to perform for the younger generation.

“It’s nice to see high school age students interested in what we’re doing,” said Morse. “They’re really receptive; their eyes are on us, and they’re listening to what we say and watching what we do, and you can kind of see the wheels turning in their heads going, ‘Well, if these guys can make a living as jugglers, what might I be able to do?’”

“Whatever it is, follow your dreams and your passion,” Wee told the students during the show. “Of course, finish school; but follow your dreams. There are so many things out there in the world that you can do.”

Contact Ashleey Williamson at awilliamson@aikenstandard.com.