Young People and Circus

Second Edition of the Youth Circus Newsletter Now Online!

This issue is packed with news and stories. To read about ICAN - Indigenous Circus Arts Network, read Paul Woodhead's report on the inaugural National Youth Circus Day, and much more, see lots of great photos.Click here

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Young people can participate in circus skills training in a variety of ways. Youth Circus organisations exist in every state and some regional centres to offer skills training and performance activities. Some schools also teach circus skills as part of their physical education program. Circus skills include tumbling, acrobalance, juggling, aerials, juggling, stilts and clowning. Circus skill training is a non-competitive, creative, physical activity that fosters team work, develops strength and balance and builds confidence.

If you would like to meet new friends and stand on them, start here by checking out ACAPTA’s state by state listing of organisations that offer activities for young people aged 25 years and under.

Also read our profiles on three of Australia’s Youth Circus organisations: Tasmania’s Slipstream Circus, Mullumbimby's Spaghetti Circus and Kuranda’s Blackrobats.

If you would like to include your group in this listing, please email us with your details.

Australian youth circus groups by State/Territory:

• TASMANIA
• NORTHERN TERRITORY
• SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND
• FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
• VICTORIA
• WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• NEW SOUTH WALES
• AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
• SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Tasmania

Slipstream Circus INC
Contact: Kane Petersen
PO Box 863
Ulverstone TAS 7315
Tel: 03 6425 5486
M:0425 525 715
Fax: 0417572919
E: slipstreamcircus@hotmail.com
Ages: 8 years to adults

Slipstream provides circus skills training and performance opportunities for young people as well as advanced tumbling, acrobatics and aerial training for those seeking a higher level of skill.

The circus classes for beginners are lots of fun with the emphasis on safety as participants are introduced to acrobatics, juggling, hula hoops, tightwire and human pyramids. Teen Circus classes continue these skills and also add in clowning, rola bola and tightwire, so they are a great way to stay fit and have fun with friends. Adults who always wanted to run away to the circus haven't been left out, with adult classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced skill levels. All classes are conducted by qualified and experienced circus, gymnastics and performance trainers.
The Slipstream Training Space is located at:
The Uniting Church Hall, Reiby Street, Ulverstone.

Northern Territory

InCite Youth Art, Desert Perspectives and Limitless Horizons
Contact: Virgina Heydon, Co-Artistic Director
RedHOT Arts Building
Cnr. Stott and Bath Street,
Po Box 3491
Alice Springs NT 0871
Tel: 08 8952 6338
Fax: 08 8952 6338
E: inciteya@ozemail.com.au
Ages: 10 – 12 years

InCite provides circus activities for 10 to 12 year olds, on a short term basis.
Activities include juggling - rings, clubs, balls or bean bags & diablo, beginners adagio – balances, including pyramids and tumbling.

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South East Queensland

Circa
www.circa.org.au,
email info@circa.org.au
or phone 07 3852 3110

Circa is Australia's most innovative contemporary circus - offering classes to all ages and all skill levels. Build strength and confidence, get fit, and learn to do amazing things in a fun, social environment.
Circa holds four class terms per year, each term is eight weeks in duration. 

* Tiny Tumblers (3-4 yrs with parents) is an active introduction to
circus and movement, developing your child's listening, coordination and
memory skills.
* Super Springs (5-7yrs), Jump Up (7-11yrs), Livewires (11-15yrs) learn
trapeze, human pyramids, tumble, diablo, hula hoops, juggling and more.
Students explore creative play and performance skills with dynamic
circus activities and games. 
* Circa Zoo (10-21yrs) is Circa's training and performance troupe for
young adults. Work with new technologies and guest directors and
trainers. Participants commit to two classes per week. Circa Zoo
requires previous circus, dance or gymnastic experience and entry is by
an informal interview. Contact the Circa office for more information.

Circus Minimus
Contact: Tamsin McGuin & Donna Carstens
7 William Parade
GPO Box 6459
Fairfield Qld 4103
Tel: (07) 3342 7383
M: 0416194738
E: circusminimus@optusnet.com.au

Circus Minimus conduct circus training in West End and also through the BCC Healthy and Active Parks Program on the weekends. They have an ongoing community development programs in Beaudesert and Deception Bay. Circus Minimus are also available for workshops or events, and offer short vaudeville style entertainment and roving street theatre.

Flipside Circus Contact: Deb Wilks Tel: -(07) 3852 5292 22 Kyabara Street Newstead QLD 4006 E: info@flipsidecircus.org.au WWW: www.flipsidecircus.org.au Office open – Tue to Thu - 9.30am to 4pm Ages: 4-18 years

Flipside Circus is a youth circus that teaches kids between the ages of 4 to 18 years tumbling, handstands, juggling, stilts, human pyramids, trapeze, tissue, lyra, acrobatics. Flipside also provide entertainment in shows, festivals and events. Flipside employs professional circus performers to train and work with the kids. They also have an Indigenous program to encourage and increase Indigenous participation in circus. Flipside hold classes at St Andrews Church Hall in South Brisbane and at Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm.

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Alfresco Circus
Contact: Jerry Holmes
27 Flindersia Street
Redlych Cairns 4870
Tel: 07 4039 0607
Ages: 9 to 18 (+ adults)

Jerry Holmes teaches basic circus skills at the Cairns PCYC on a regular basis. He is also available to conduct in-school programs. Alfresco Circus provides advanced training for adults from 18 years old and a number of smaller circus groups in FNQ participate in this training. Alfresco Circus is part of the Northern Circus Alliance.

Blackrobats Indigenous Youth Troupe
Contact: Mickie Sellton -Co-Ordinator- 0740 342 508 or 0416 037 275
Kelli Craig - Artistic Director-0740 939384
22 View Street Brinsmead, Cairns 4870
E: msellton@smartchat.net.au
Ages: 2yrs to adults

The Blackrobats are Kuranda's Indigenous Youth Circus Arts troupe. The project developed from free workshops facilitated by Kelli Craig (long term Blackrobats co-ordinator and trainer), in response to a need for activities directed towards indigenous youth of outlying areas of Kuranda. Circus skills and performance-based projects have long proven to be a successful focus and outlet for young people in regional North Queensland.

A collaborative community project, the Blackrobats fuses rich local cultural influences with circus and physical theatre, combining traditional Aboriginal dance with elements of youth culture such as hiphop and breakdancing, in a performance oriented framework.

The broader focus of the project is to involve training opportunities for the whole community in all areas of performance arts, tech, design, production, choreography, workshop facilitation. Further funding is needed for their ongoing development, however the group is confident that support from the broader community and arts and cultural sector will mean the participation of as many young indigenous people as possible!

Circo-Loco
Contact: Lucy at Graft’n’Arts
124 Grafton Street
CairnsQld
Tel:07 40514023
E:northerncircus@hotmail.com
Ages: 11 to 16 years (but flexible)
 
Circo - Loco are Cairns’s dynamic and bold Youth Circus performance troupe. Circo - Loco began as an initiative of Graft ‘n’ Arts Youth & Community Arts Centre in 2001 in response to young people in Cairns seeking a creative outlet to be affiliated with. Circus and Physical Theatre proved to be high up on the popularity scale with the Cairns youth following circus workshops for young people hosted by the nationally acclaimed Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Since then Circo - Loco have grown to a group of young people aged 11 to 16 years old who have been developing a reputation throughout the region as an enthusiastic, innovative and confident ensemble of performers. Training sessions take place twice a week at the Graft ‘n’ Arts shed and range from theatre games, characterisation sessions, tumbling, stilt walking, apparatus manipulation, acro-balance and more. Circo-Loco are part of the Northern Circus Alliance.

Kassowary Circus
Contacts: Justine Schlicht and Josh Billum (joshbillam@yahoo.com)
PO Box 174
Kuranda Qld 4872
Tel: 07 40939535
Fax: 0408735309
E:kassowarycircus@hotmail.com or joshbillam@yahoo.com
Ages: 4 years to adults

Kassowary Circus teach classes for ages 4 years and up, and work with children, youth, young adults, adults and the more mature members of their community. They have adult and youth Kassowary Circus performing troupes who perform at events in the Kuranda region. Kassowary are also part of the Northern Circus Alliance.

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Western Australia

Harlequin Spirals
Contact: Lynn Martin
Harlequin Spirals Coordinator
Len Fletcher Pavilion
22 Emmerson Street
North Perth WA
M: 0409317460
E: harlequinspirals@hotmail.com
W : www.harlequinspirals.com

Harlequin Spirals is a German Wheel Team sponsored by Gymnastic WA. We train Wednesday 5.30pm - 7.30pm and Saturday 10.30am - 12.30pm, at Len Fletcher Pavilion - 22 Emmerson Street, North Perth. Harlequin Spirals is the largest wheel team in Australia. We welcome all newcomers or travellers who may wish to work on wheels skills.

The team has recently returned from a tour of Germany and Spain. The team trained in Germany with the current World Champions and performed in Spain as part of the DGI Festival. The team will be travelling this year to the International Wheel Camp in Turku, Finland for training and coach education. We are happy to train teens to open age adults. We have seven wheels ranging from 1.85m - 2.10m and train in the Gymnastics WA competition venue.

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New South Wales

Aerialize
Aerialize - Sydney Aerial Theatre
16/142 Addison Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
61 2 9560 1233 or mobile 0425 275 932
Tel: 02 9560 1233
E: aerialize@optusnet.com.au
W: www.aerialize.com.au
Ages: 5 – 12 years

Aerialize offers classes for children in both term and holiday time. Children's Classes are for children aged between 5 and 12 years. Classes are a safe and fun way for children to develop body awareness, strength, self-confidence, as well as improve left and right side brain co-ordination. School holiday trapeze and circus workshops for children focus on static trapeze, rope skills, acrobatics, mini- tramp and juggling. Performance skills are also a big part of the workshop and every effort is put into encouraging live performance. A showing for family and friends of the skills learnt is held on the last day of the workshop.

Key artists involved in teaching include Aimee Thomas, Shelalagh McGovern and Bernard Bru.

Australian Theatre For Young People (ATYP)
The Wharf, Pier 4/5 Hickson Road
Walsh Bay NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9251 3900
Fax: 02 9251 3909
E: atyp@atyp.com.au
W: www.atyp.com.au
Ages: 3 to 26 years

The Australian Theatre for Young People is the nation's flagship youth theatre company. It has more of a theatre than a circus focus, but term workshops do often include physical theatre, circus skills and clown. The whole range of term and holiday workshops are a great way to find out more about other areas of the arts or to gain new skills and experiences.

ATYP also runs regional residencies across Australia and mounts groundbreaking national and international projects. Each year, over 6000 young people aged between 3 and 26 participate in programs designed and led by over 200 professional artists.

Formed in 1963, the company creates opportunities for young people from many kinds of backgrounds, from urban centres and sometimes isolated areas of Australia, to discover and explore their creativity and to develop a fuller awareness and appreciation of themselves, the performing arts and their society.

Circus Unique
PO Box 1050
Rozelle NSW 2039
Phone and fax: 9810 6090
Mobile: 0402 020 498
Email: events@circusunique.com.au

Circus Extreme
Contact: Louise Moriarty
PO Box 339
Broken Hill NSW 2880
Tel: 08 80874488
Fax: 08 80872202
E: Lmoriarty@fwahs.nsw.gov.au

Lieder Youth Theatre Company
Contact: Chrisjohn Hancock, Artistic Director
PO Box 786
Goulburn NSW
Tel: 02 48215066
Fax: 02 48210111
E: lieder@goulburn.net.au
Ages: 8 to 19 years

The Lieder Youth Theatre Company is a Goulburn-based training and performance group established in 1993 to provide a public platform for local youth between the ages of 13 and 19 with a passion to express themselves through the arts and explore career options in the performing arts. As well as the Lieder Youth Theatre Company, classes are held weekly for 8 to 10 yr olds and 11 to 12 yr olds.

Lieder Youth Theatre Company achievements include Body Slam (2001) performance and workshop touring project with Theatre Physical, Powerhouse, Shopfront, Pact Youth Theatre companies and ATYP; Lost on the Lake (2002)– 3 days and nights living and performing on Lake George as part of the Weereewa Festival; 2 Friendly 4 Words (2003) a company-devised performance project about teenage pregnancy and its impact on rural youth and the Acrobatic/Fire Show (2003, 2004) a spectacular outside performance incorporating fire with physical theatre, acrobatics and stilts.

Spaghetti Circus
Contact: Simon Adams
Phone / Fax: 02 6684 3038
PO. BOX: 220
Mullumbimby NSW 2482
www.spaghetticircus.com

Spaghetti Circus is a non-profit community organisation that empowers young people to achieve excellence in Circus Arts. One of our core activities is a comprehensive training program. Classes are inclusive and cater to a diverse range of skill levels and ages.
We have created a supportive environment where children and young people can learn and grow at their own pace. All classes are taught through fun and play as well as encouraging team work and group participation.
The beauty of circus is that there is something for everyone! Classes include skill development in: acrobalance, handstands, tumbling, mini tramp, aerials and manipulations. Other skills include; juggling, hoola hoops, clowning, stilts, unicycle, physical theatre and comedy.
There are many levels of particpation from social and fun to highly skilled classes for young people wishing to pursue a career in professional performance.
Community Stream
The focus of the Community Classes is to build confidence, co-ordination, motorskills, strength and flexibility through circus skills and games. Classes are fun and lighthearted with an emphasis on building team work skills and group participation. Each session begins with a warm up and games and finishes with a cool down.
Community Show
An essential and exciting part of the childrens’ training is the annual Community Show held in the Training Shed every December. The Show provides an opportunity for families, friends and peers to witness and acknowledge skills learnt.

There are opportunities for participants who want to train more extensively to progress from the classes within the Community Stream into Advanced Classes.
Community Stream
2-5 year olds
5-7 year olds
8-10 year olds
11 + Intermediate

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PYT is the leading contemporary arts organisation for young people (under 25) in South West and Western Sydney, providing innovative and development opportunities that respond to and reflect the diversity of the region. PYT ensures that its programs are accessible to all young people regardless of cultural, social or economic background. Situated at the School of the Arts in the heart of Fairfield, PYT promises to excite, surprise and challenge. Their program of workshops and productions is not circus specific, but they do have circus related activities from time to time, so check in with them about what they have going on currently.

The Flying Fruit Fly Circus
Contact: Kim Walker (Artistic Director)
609 Hovell Street
Albury, NSW 2640
Tel: 02 6021 7044
Fax: 02 6021 7238
E: info@fruitflycircus.com.au
W: www.fruitflycircus.com.au
Ages: 4 to 15 years
Founded in 1979 during The International Year of the Child, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus has established itself as one of the world's premier youth performing arts companies. The mission of The Flying Fruit Fly Circus is to promote and enhance the cultural and educational development of young people by providing high quality circus training and by producing and touring contemporary circus performances.
Based in Albury Wodonga on the New South Wales and Victorian border, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus is Australia's only full time circus training institution for children. The Circus is comprised of up to 80 school aged children (Grades 3 to 12) who are trained in their art by some of the world's foremost exponents of circus and the performing arts. Undertaking their academic education at The Flying Fruit Fly Circus School, a restricted entry Victorian Education Department school, the young artists study a broad based curriculum which equips them for life in the circus - and life in general.

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Victoria

The Flying Fruit Fly Circus School
Hedgerow Court
P O Box1101
Wodonga 3690
Tel:02 6024 2384
Fax: 02 6059 2900
E: fffcircus.school@edumail.vic.gov.au
W:http://www.fruitflyschool.vic.edu.au/
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus School is a unique co-educational primary and secondary school striving for excellence in the circus, performing arts and academic areas, and was established in 1987 (under the name 'Acrobatic Arts Community School) as the educational arm of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. The school is committed to a curriculum that is guided by policy frameworks of the Victorian Department of Education Employment and Training as interpreted by the school community. Its special focus is circus and performing arts. Students come to the school with dreams of being a circus performers and the school provides a unique opportunity to study and learn through artistic experiences. The emphasis is on teaching learning skills, teamwork and participation whilst fostering creativity and individuality in a guided, caring and educational environment. The Flying Fruit Fly Circus School has students from as far away as Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne and all around the North East of Victoria. Entry to the school is by satisfactory completion of the ARTs Selection program held at the Flying Fruit Fly Circus in Albury each Saturday during Terms 1 - 4. It is aimed at students who are eligible to attend the school ie Year 3 level to Year 10. The selection process also provides for students who live further away and cannot attend the ARTs program, to have an assessment test by special arrangement. The final selection process is managed by the school and the circus to achieve entry North East of Victoria. Our students have the opportunity to participate in varied artistic activities. see also Flying Fruit Fly Circus

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Term Classes For Kids and Teenagers: Every Saturday of the school term Circus Oz run classes for both kids and teenagers at its Port Melbourne HQ. All classes begin with a warm-up and end with a cool-down, both of which are essential. Safety is given the highest priority.

The Introduction to Circus class is for 7-12 year olds. It takes the kids through a range of circus skills, with a focus on developing good form and having fun. They learn Tumbling, Trapeze, Hula Hoops, Mini-Tramp, Pyramids, Acro-Balance, Tightwire, Juggling, Clowning and more.

The Circus Skills class is for 8-12 year olds, and is offered to kids who have already done a few terms of Introduction to Circus. It is a more focused class and steps up the skill level a notch. The skills covered in this class are similar to that of Introduction to Circus.

The Teenage Special class is for 13-18 year olds. This class caters for both beginner teenagers and those who are continuing on from the Circus Skills class. Skills covered are Tumbling, Trapeze, Web-spinning, Hula Hoops, Mini-Tramp, Pyramids, Acro-Balance, Tightwire, Juggling, Clowning and more. Finally, the Circus Club. This class focuses on devising and performing a group routine using the circus skills learnt in other previous classes. It is offered to those who have already done the Circus Skills or Teenage Special classes.

On the last Saturday of term, there is traditionally a display of skills learnt by the students. Friends and family are encouraged to come along and enjoy watching the achievements of the term.

Holiday Programs are run during some of the school holiday breaks (probably 2 or 3 per year). There is usually a 7-12 year old class along with a teenage class. It is oriented to both beginners and to those who have been practicing their skills for a while. Like the other classes, the skills offered would generally include: Tumbling, Trapeze, Web-spinning, Hula Hoops, Mini-Tramp, Pyramids, Acro-Balance, Tightwire, Juggling, Clowning and more.

Footscray Flyers - Youth Circus
Footscray Community Arts Centre
Contact: David Everist
Henderson House
45 Moreland Street,
Footscray VIC 3011
Tel: 03 9362 8802
Fax: 03 9363 8866
E: theatre@fcarts.org.au
W: www.fcarts.org.au
Ages: 6-16 years

Footscray Flyers Youth Circus conduct workshops to develop fitness, strength, and a variety of circus skills including tumbling, balancing, rope and trapeze.

Workshop groups are split into ages; two groups for 6-8 yr olds, two for 8-10yr and one for 10 - 16 yr olds. Each group develops performances for parents and friends at the end of the year. These performances will involve the creation of short narratives that utilises physical theatre influenced by the innovative circus performance style developed by the Women's Circus.

The older members of Footscray Flyers will develop short performances for festivals and special events, as well as assisting trainers in the workshops with the younger groups. Some of the key artists involved in teaching the Footscray Fliers are Andrea Ousley, Steven Williams, Peter Sloman and Francesca Sculli.

Full On Theatre
Dave Houston
Bowlingclub-Shakespeare Gr
St Kilda VIC 3182
Tel: 03 95347411
Mob: 0411710081
Fax: 03 95347399
E: fullon@tpg.com.au

Full On Theatre take a variety of workshops into schools. These include ‘Clown, comedy, improvisation & commedia dell’arte’ and ‘World Percussion Workshops’ exploring world rhythms, inner rhythms, body percussion, music, performance, voice & coordination skills (Full-On Theatre will provide drums and percussive instruments for a number of people. Larger bookings may require hiring more drums, or borrowing off a local school’s instrument collection.)

Trick Circus
E: admin@trickcircus.net
W:www.trickcircus.net
Ages: 12-24
Trick runs drop in classes and additional sessions for troupe members.
Participation in performances is based on the ability to pay class fees and there are no allowances for a per class payment. Fees are per term.
People interested in joining Trick are invited to attend drop-in training sessions on Tuesdays from 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Westside Circus
Contact: Debby Maziarz
Westside Circus
Warehouse 3, 433 Smith St, Fitzroy 3065
PH: 03 9482 2088
FAX: 03 9489 9711
info@westsidecircus.com
Ages: 12 to 12 years
 
The Westside Circus is a community circus which aims to create artistic opportunities for young people in circus, music, leadership and performance within a safe and non-competitive environment. The Westside Circus first began in 1996 as a small program within the Moonee Valley City Council. Today the Westside Circus offers an extensive outreach program, skills training programs, circus and music projects, festival appearances and small-scale touring shows. The Westside Circus works in both metropolitan and rural areas of Victoria, so contact them to find out if they have any activities near you!

Australian Capital Territory

Warehouse Circus
Contact: Kylie O'Keeffe
Street Address: Rivett Primary School
Bangalay Street, Rivett
Postal Address: PO Box 3638
Weston Creek ACT 2611
Tel: (02) 6287 3968
Fax: (02) 6287 3968
M: 0415 357 859
E: manager@warehousecircus.org.au
W: http://www.warehousecircus.org.au
Ages: 8 to 18 years

Warehouse Circus has been teaching life skills through the art of circus, for the past 13 years. It is open to all young people aged 8 - 18 years and it's underlying aim is to empower young people to make responsible decisions that affect their lives. As part of this, the circus provides young people with a variety of different circus skills as well as giving them practical experience in performing. The circus creates a sense of family in which young people are free to grow and develop into who they want to be.

South Australia

Cirkidz Inc
Kelly Nicole
100 Drayton Street
Bowden SA 5007
Tel: 08 83465735
Fax: 08 83468555
E: cirkidz@chariot.net.au
W: www.cirkidz.org.au

Cirkidz is a youth circus school that teaches circus and performance skills and produces quality circus theatre by young people. Cirkidz operates three ongoing activities; Circus Classes, the Performing Troupe and Outreach Workshops.Cirkidz is an exciting, innovative company with an impressive track record of past projects.

The circus was established in 1985 to provide artistic activities for disadvantaged youth in the western suburbs ofAdelaide. Since then Cirkidz has grown considerably and has firmly cemented its place as the principal circus resource in South Australia. The circus services all ofAdelaide and regularly provides performances and workshops for youth in rural and remote areas. Cirkidz attracts people for whom more conventional activities would hold limited attraction. Due to its unique nature, young people with little to no arts experience find the circus easily approachable. Cirkidz aims, through the learning and performing of circus skills, to provide an alternative means for young people to develop self confidence, physical awareness and the art of co-operation.

Central to the company’s activities is its social justice policy. This is seen clearly through the circus’ programs, such as its commitment to touring performances and workshops to isolated areas. The circus school also uses a fee structure that is adjusted according to family income.The Cirkidz Circus School runs after school classes throughout the week as well as on Saturday mornings.

Classes are available to people four years of age and above. Classes are organised into five age groups: Little Tackers who are children aged 4 to 6, Tackers who are 6 to 9, Tweens are 9 to 12, Teens are 12 to 18 and of course Adults who are 18 years and older.

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Click here to read the first edition of the ACAPTA Youth Circus Newsletter

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This project has been assisted by the Federal Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.