There are many, many Circus Skills including Juggling, Clowning, Acrobatic tumbling, Aerials (cord lisse, rope, Chinese pole and static trapeze), Acro balance, Contortionism, Object manipulation, Tight or Slack-rope walking and Flying trapeze. If your child thinks they might like to try any of these why not let them have a go? While it won’t necessarily result in a realistic career option, learning Circus Skills may be the start of an unusual and varied hobby or at least provide entertainment for a few hours!
What do you need to consider when choosing a circus skills class for your child?
The Circus Space - One of Europe’s leading providers of circus education.
The success of a circus performer will depend entirely on ability as proved in performance and audition. Qualifications are therefore completely irrelevant. There are however a number of UK degree courses available. These include:
Contemporary Circus and Physical Performance (Foundation Degree)- UCAS code W900. Length – 2 years full time.
The Circus Space
BA Hons Degree - 1 year course designed to consolidate the technical level of a specific circus discipline.
The Post Graduate Certificate in Circus Arts is a 1 year course designed to allow more in-depth research into a specific circus discipline.
BTEC L3 Diploma in Performing Arts. This provides an opportunity to develop skills in circus and performance, enabling the student to move on to a higher level qualification in this area or other performing arts professions. Length – 2years.
Aerial Performance – this includes studying traditional circus skills.
You can also study full or part-time courses at any of the following institutions:
Circomedia, Bristol
Greentop Circus, Sheffield
No Fit State Circus, Cardiff
The tutors and coaches may have a degree in circus skills or may learn at adult courses in their spare time but they do not have to hold any formal qualifications.
The benefits gained from learning circus skills depend entirely on which skills are studied. Regardless of these it will hopefully provide your child with an opportunity to develop social skills and confidence in a relaxed and fun environment.
Legendary English-born American film and stage actor Cary Grant (1904 – 1986) started his performance career working as an acrobat and juggler and performed as a stilt walker with the "Bob Pender Stage Troupe “in 1920.
A great video which shows how to spin a plate.
The Great Chinese State Circus performs Swan Lake with a difference.
No Elephant Left Behind: On the Road With the Circus.
Juggling increases Brain Power. Complex tasks such as juggling produce significant changes to the structure of the brain, according to scientists at Oxford University.