CIRCUS

2023 Schedule of classes

NEW

Circus Fundamentals- Wednesday 4:30-6:15

Ages 7-11

This class is geared toward younger learners, where participants will be introduced to playful but capacity-building conditioning techniques, and basic movements/poses on a collection of circus equipment. Students will be exposed to a variety of props and aerial apparati, acro-balance, unicycles, and clowning. We will focus on nurturing participant creativity and team work while practicing safe ways to move and explore.  There is no prerequisite, however, the class will be physically challenging so the ability to hang from monkey-bars, climb trees, and perform sit-ups/plank hold/assisted pull-ups is recommended. Students of all ages will learn about their own capacity and the class will focus on what students are able to do within their own strengths, interests and fitness levels, while building connections with others.

NEW

Circus Fundamentals- Trapeze, Lyra and props- Thursday 6:30-8:00

Ages 11+

This class will be open to a wide range of ages to connect us together in the fun of learning circus skills. We will be focused on learning Lyra and Trapeze fundamentals; different ways to condition the body as well as different poses. We will also work towards learning about flow/transitions and basic choreography. Along with the aerials we will be sharing some basic prop exercises that will warm up the body and activate the brain. We will also be sharing different exercises to connect you to your body to help you connect with your inner performer, helping you to build confidence to one day maybe creating your own piece with meaning and character. Come to this class ready to engage your brain, activate your muscles and open your heart to the spirit of circus.

Circus Fundamentals

Ages 6-11

This class is geared toward younger learners, where participants will be introduced to playful but capacity-building conditioning techniques, and basic movements/poses on a collection of circus equipment. Students will be exposed to a variety of aerial apparatus, props, acro, and other circus equipment, possibly including unicycles, slack line and maybe even German wheel. Whether participants have trained on aerial equipment or are new to the experience, this class will offer foundational skills that pay attention to safety in play and set students up to move on to the skill of stringing together a series of movements and intermediate level skills. Depending on participants’ own physical threshold, students will be able to learn foundational skills on silks, hammocks, dance trapeze, cube, German Wheel and lyra hoop. There is no prerequisite, however, the class will be physically challenging so the ability to hang from monkey-bars, climb trees, and perform sit-ups/plank hold/assisted pull-ups is recommended. Students of all ages will learn about their own capacity and the class will focus on what students are able to do within their own strengths, interests and fitness levels while building connections.

Circus Fundamentals

Ages 11+

This is an introduction to a variety of circus disciplines, where students will learn conditioning techniques and basic movements on a collection of aerial apparatus and circus equipment. Whether participants have climbed silks or tried aerials before or are just starting out, this class will offer foundational skills that pay attention to injury prevention and set students up to safely learn their interests and move on to intermediate levels. Depending on participants’ own physical threshold, students will learn a series of movements and poses on a variety of equipment, including silks, hammocks, dance trapeze, lyra hoop, cube, German Wheel, unicycles, props and partner/group acrobatics. There is no prerequisite, however, the class will be physically challenging so the ability to hang from a bar and perform sit-ups/plank hold/assisted pull-ups is recommended. Students of all ages will learn about their own capacity and the class will focus on what students are able to do within their own strengths, interests and fitness levels.

Intermediate Circus/Aerials

Age 11+

This is an intermediate level circus class geared toward motivated learners, where participants will further their conditioning techniques and prepare for a variety of circus disciplines. Students will rotate through stations that develop their skills on a collection of aerial apparatus, including trapeze, hammocks, silks, lyra, partner and group acrobatics, props, unicycles and handstands. Prerequisites require participants to have solid aerial skills, where students can already demonstrate stamina and skill using aerial gear. This includes being able to climb to the top of a silk, safely invert, straddle climb, foot lock, and hold their body weight for an extended period of time while in the air. Students will be supported within their own capacity, and given tools to improve a variety of circus crafts while building supportive connections with classmates.

Fundamentals of Aerials

Ages 11+

Students will be introduced to conditioning and basic movements on a collection of aerial apparatus. Whether participants are just starting out or have climbed silks or tried aerials before,  this class will offer foundational skills that will stress the importance of injury prevention and set students up to safely move on to intermediate levels. Depending on participants’ own physical threshold, students will be able to string together a series of movements and poses on a variety of equipment, including silks, hammocks, dance trapeze and lyra hoop. There is no prerequisite, however, the class will be physically challenging so the ability to hang from a bar and perform sit-ups/plank hold/assisted pull-ups is recommended. Students of all ages will learn about their own capacity and the class will focus on what students are able to do within their own strengths, interests and fitness levels.

NEW

Adult Aerials- Saturday 10-12, 8 weeks

Ages 16+

Learn to dance in the air in a safe supportive environment. Students will be introduced to basic aerial fabric skills such as foot locks, climbing, poses and inversions using both aerial silks (two long pieces of ceiling to floor fabrics) and hammocks (loops of aerial fabric suspended at various heights above the floor).  Classes will focus on developing technique, strength as well as fluidity and ability to improvise and play with aerial fabrics. Designed for students with little or no previous aerial experience. 

Your instructor, Kira Schaffer, is a long time performer and teacher.  She is the artistic director of Firebelly Performance Society and is always excited to share her passion for playing and dancing in the air.  Website: www.firebelly.org

Hoop Fundamentals

Ages 11+

Circus Performance Troupe

Ages 11+

This is an intermediate to advanced level class designed to create an annual circus production for the public audience. Participants will be able to choose their specialty area/s, will be assigned “homework”, and are required to take at least one other circus class in combination with Circus Performance. Specialty areas include silk, trapeze (dance and static, single and double), lyra (single and double point), hammock (single and double, static and dynamic materials), cube, German Wheel, partner/group acro, contortion, props, unicycle, and any other creation that students can come up with. Participants will co-create their choreography, develop performance skills and engage with all aspects of circus shows from rigging to stage, makeup and costumes.

*Entrance is by application/audition.  Contact us for details.

**Students enrolled in the performance troupe must also enrol in one additional class.  A high level of fitness, previous aerial arts training, an attitude that is supportive of others, and the ability to juggle 3 balls continuously are prerequisites for this class. 

An additional $100 gear fee will be collected once training is underway. 

Once the spring session has finished, youth enrolled in the performance troupe will continue to prepare for the annual show, held May 11-14, 2023  Troupe members must be available daily between Monday May 1 to Sunday May 14 for extra practices and tech week/weekend.