Possible youth circus/skills training

[martin ewen]

I am writing on behalf of an 12 year old with both the energy and the unconventional mindset who wishes, with full consent from his parent, to attend any sort of north american, summer-camp, circus skills intensive training faciliity thats serious rather than cuddly.
This guy can already juggle and do all sorts of robust physical balance stuff but requires structures and a sense of where he could take his talents.
Does anyone know of anywhere that takes on people this young? Where and when etc, or just point me in some direction.
thanks

[Stephon]

I know that there is a hardcore circus school in San Francisco, but I don't recall the name at the moment. If you want, I'm sure you could do an internet search with that info; however, I'm sure there are several others here that could give you more specifics.

[Jim]

Stephon, you're talking about:

http://www.sfcircus.org

Definitely high end.

and there's also:

http://www.circussmirkus.org/

Circus Smirkus in Vermont... a touring youth circus. Great program. Great location (Northern Vermont in the summer) and reasonably priced for what you get.

[Stretch]

HIGH! Martin!

May I suggest the book "Circus for Everyone, Circus Learning Around the World". By Robert Sugarman. Published 2001, by Mountainside Press, Shaftbury, Vermont, 05262 phone 802-447-7094 FAX 802-447-2611 $16.95US $24.95Can, $10.99 UK. Over 200 pages of circus training info from all over the world. Descriptions and contact info included.

Apart from that, I would like to suggest the following skill sets would serve your young charge well: Good penmanship, dance, yo-yo, poi and staff manipulation, gymnastics, good posture, pencil/charcoal drawing, a second or third language, play a musical instrument, voice training, roller or ice skating and race walking. Improv and drama is also reccomended. Mastery of any of these skills would set him apart from the norm and provide a lifetime of enjoyment. An added concideration: no travel required.

Walking tall, in my second childhood. May it not be as mispent as the last!

Stretch

http://Stiltwalker.com/

Stretch's Lair

[le pire]

The best circus schools that are open to people who are not born into circus are currently in France and Montreal. Ecole Superieur des Arts du Cirque in Châlons-sur-Marne is the top along with Cirque du Soliel's school in Montreal. Both have intense audition processes and select around 30 students from thousands of applicants. Tuition is covered for the people who actually get in.

é t i e n n e

[Stretch]

This just came through on the circus arts mailing list. Hope it helps.
Jackie Tan wrote:

If you know any college-age people or young adults interested in
learning new skills, interacting with kids, and working with an
international staff next summer, send them to our website at
www.independentlake.com.

If you have any questions about the circus program, you can contact
me directly at jtcircus@yahoo.com.

Thanks a bunch,
Jackie Tan

[Mark Wessels]

[quote]Originally posted by le pire:
<strong>The best circus schools that are open to people who are not born into circus are currently in France and Montreal. Ecole Superieur des Arts du Cirque in Châlons-sur-Marne is the top along with Cirque du Soliel's school in Montreal. Both have intense audition processes and select around 30 students from thousands of applicants. Tuition is covered for the people who actually get in.

é t i e n n e</strong><hr></blockquote>

How would one go about finding more information on these schools? I sent you a personal message but you didn't get it yet so i thought I'd try here. Tuition is covered but do you need to find a place to stay? What sort of skills. etc.
thanks
mfw

[martin_ronda]

Does anyone know this school?

http://www.esac.be/

It seems pretty amazing!

[thayr]

I worked as a staff member at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. They have a wonderful fully equipped circus center offering many skills, from high flying trapeze to acrobatics, juggling, unicycle and much more. It's a great camp with alot of other activities aside from circus/performing. The program leans highly towards the 'cuddly' aspect, as many of the campers just wish to tryout their skill at circus. However, they operate on a system of 'majors and minors', and when a camper chooses something as a major the instructors will go away from the cuddly aspect and focus on really furthering the campers skill.

http://www.frenchwoods.com/circus-camp.htm

I attended a course with The Academy of Circus Arts, England. I was trained by highly skilled professional circus performers and came off the course with two strong marketable acts, as well as a good base in other disciplines. Minimum age is a factor to be considered.

http://www.zipposcircus.co.uk/aca/aca.htm

Outside of a training facility I would recommend gymnastics, dance, or any activity that relates to body movement and fitness which can be carried over to performing. If anyone has something to add to my list please do...

Gymnastics (Floor skills aide greatly in all aspects of performance, whereas an apparatus such as rings could carry over to aerial skills...)
Martial Arts (Wushu and Sport Karate are very performance oriented)
Diving
Equestrian Vaulting
Ballet/Jazz/Tap
Music/Singing

[thayr]

Hey wow, that was an old post. I want an update on what this kid has gotten himself into now!

[martin_ronda]

Well, by this picture I know that someone knows about this school, is anybody willing to tell me how good it is??? ( an others questions)

thanks

[martin_ronda]

I forgot the link, there you go: http://www.circomedia.com/