For Shay Williamson, the devastating loss of her best friend to suicide became a mission to spread awareness and support for mental health, especially for those in marginalized communities. 

Five years ago, Williamson organized the first WORTHY – A Circus with a Cause fundraising event with all proceeds going to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Utah Chapter. The goal of raising $7,000 at this year’s event was far exceeded as the community stepped up to donate.

“The final donations this year were $35,350. It was bananas. It gives me chills to say it out loud,” she said. “We had a huge jump from last year to the year before where we raised $22,000 but I had no expectation of raising $13,000 more than that this year. I think people got really excited because the cause is so important. Unfortunately, in Utah, it’s far more relevant and relatable than it ever should be.”

Williamson said living as a queer person in Utah comes with a lot of issues including religious oppression and non-acceptance from friends or family. Often, this type of exclusion leads to drug and alcohol abuse, depression and suicide. 

As the owner of Kairos Fitness in Centerville (803 N. 1250 West, Suite 3), with another location in Ogden, Williamson’s studio is the state’s largest for pole, aerial and circus classes, teaching everyone from beginners to professionals. 

Kairos is defined as a time when conditions are right for a crucial action, a decisive moment. Williamson named her studio Kairos as a way to honor the idea that movement and action at the opportune moment creates change. 

“I started the show because my best friend, as a younger adult, died by suicide, and I wanted to honor my friend,” Williamson said. “I wanted to dance and heal and start a conversation…Every year someone has said, this is my story and I’m dancing for this person or I’m dancing for myself. Every year after the show, someone comes up to me and says, you saved my life or this show saved my life.”

The WORTHY – Circus With a Cause event featured professional and student performers from the many classes offered at Kairos. Utilizing aerial silks and hammocks, hoops and poles, acro and trapeze, dancers in the event highlight their training, strength and expertise on each apparatus.

Jamie Dewey is a Bountiful High grad who has trained at Kairos for more than four years. She participated in the WORTHY fundraiser and loves being a part of something that brings people together to talk about suicide awareness. 

“I think that it gives people the opportunity to tell their story through art and I think that suicide has become a very nuanced topic,” Dewey said. “I think it’s the most beautiful way to express that story, start a conversation and create a safe place.”

Williamson is often approached after the fundraiser by people who are touched by the message of the show. As a queer person, she continues to champion marginalized communities in the state to address the high suicide rates and to create safe spaces for bodies of all types and genders. 

Though the fundraiser was created out of grief, the show celebrates and honors her friend’s memory and the stories of many others who have died by suicide. For more information about Kairos, visit DanceKairos.com. 

“The message is hopeful. Often you have to go through the dark to get to the next phase and it’s OK to be in your dark. You aren’t alone there,” Williamson said. “It’s such an emotionally expensive show but every year people say the show saved a life. We just have to keep doing it. We try to keep the tone of the show very hopeful and healing.”