long term circus training: 6 months - 3 years
The main aims of the training:
- That students should improve their CVs and broaden their versatility, and so be able to apply for more diverse performing jobs.
- Students will create marketable acts / products.
- Students do all that is required to set up or continue as a successful self-employed performer.
Who the training is for:
- Performers looking for help to turn their ideas for new exciting projects into a reality.
- Performers needing the space, time and support to create new acts and shows.
- Performers wishing to improve their skills, learn new skills, increase their employment prospects.
- Newcomers who want to be professional performers and need all sorts of help to start off their career.
- All students will need to have a high degree of self-motivation and commitment.
key features of the programme
Our programme is a fast-track route delivering what is relevant to the performing arts industry, not a general college course. Training and support given is specific and unique to each student / act, but there are some key features:
- Intensive experience, with low student to tutor ratios e.g. 2:1, 4:1 or 6:1 for specialisms.
- Training may vary from 3 months to 3 years, according to individual requirements.
- Acrobatic and aerial skills form an integral part of the program - but students have the opportunity to work on their own specific projects, with support form the school.
- We are happy to give direction to support the improvement or advancement of existing work.
- There will also be creative space/time to work through ideas.
- Students are encouraged to broaden their CVs by gaining some basic competences in other relevant skills.
- Support can be given with applications to relevant international festivals if there is enough timescale to plan properly.
- Our school actively encourages diversity of expresssion, so we are open to exploring new techniques, styles, approaches.
- Our students range from those with no prior experience (but willing to work extremely hard), through to seasoned professionals who wish to delvelop new acts.The one universal factor is that we expect our students to be as dedicated as we are!
Specialisms offered:
- Aerial techniques: trapeze, tissu, corde lisse, web, ring, straps.
- Acrobatic techniques: tumbling, trampoline, trampette, hand-balancing.
- Chinese acrobatics: Chinese pole, hoop diving, lion dance, manipulation.
We also offer other skills such as tight-wire, juggling & manipulation etc, and there is the possibility of bringing in additional specialist tutors according to student requirements. Choreographic support is available whatever the discipline.
We have around 12 tutors working with the school. The aerial coaching is of high quality, and we have a Chinese coach teaching the Chinese pole and other Chinese-style acrobatics skills.
Programme for circus professionals
Existing professionals may wish to use this opportunity to learn new skills, explore new ways of working, and create new acts. We normally recommend you allow 6 months (minimum) duration for your project. To turn a project round in 3 months is quite tight, so good solid advance planning is essential if time is this limited, and your music (if appropriate) should ideally be already selected. If you desire bespoke music, allow 6 months as a minimum. If you wish to seriously advance your skill level as well as create product, then your training will need to be somewhat longer.
Programme for newcomers
Our programme is probably one of the quickest ways to learn skills and create new products that you can use to get employment.
You don't have to have prior experience, but it helps if you are physically fit with existing skills such as acrobatics, trampoline or dance etc.
Newcomers would normally sign up for a minimum of 9 months. You will not be expected to define your project at the outset. For at least the first 6 months you will need to concentrate on building up a skills base, after which you may start working on your project. Again, if you wish to seriously advance your skill level then your training and project plan could realistically take up to 2 years.
joint projects / small-scale shows
We will also consider joint project applications (e.g. from duos & trios etc), and applications from artists creating small-scale circus and physical theatre style shows.
duration of training (it's flexible!)
- Training usually varies from 6 months to 3 years.
- If the skills are new to you we would suggest you take a minimum of 6 months to learn new techniques, plus 3 months (or someltimes more) to create your products.
- The higher the level of skill you wish to achieve, the longer you should expect to remain on the programme.
- Some students take 3-6 months off in the middle of the programme to work, and then return to up their skills and improve their portfolio further. Two-stage projects are a good plan for students wishing to gain a high level of skill, and for those who are interested in applying to enter top level international festivals.
apply
Please send us an outline of your proposal along with your CV and a recent video of you, your skills and past work.
Please email info@circusmaniacs.com if you have any questions and would like us to send you an application form.
You can also download the professional training application form from the enrolment section of our website.
When filling in your form please make it clear that its is "Full-time Professional Training" that you are after, and how long you are hoping to train for.
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Circus Maniacs students Lisa Truscott and Jessie Walters (Hoop La La) performing as Milly and Tilly at the Fusion Festival Berlin
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