Forums > Social Chat > Anyone been to circus school?
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17 posts
17 posts
Posted:
Hi..
i am thinking about enrolling next year, I found this school near me.. I just wondered though, cos im a beginner really.. I am alright at spinning poi, and I have done gymnastics YEARS ago and I can juggle a little bit.. but im sort of figuring that ill be able to learn..
Is this way too optimistic?? if anyone has been, what would you say was the absolute minimum requirements, skill wise and physical ability?
I REALLY wana do this..!!!
Hi..
i am thinking about enrolling next year, I found this school near me.. I just wondered though, cos im a beginner really.. I am alright at spinning poi, and I have done gymnastics YEARS ago and I can juggle a little bit.. but im sort of figuring that ill be able to learn..
Is this way too optimistic?? if anyone has been, what would you say was the absolute minimum requirements, skill wise and physical ability?
I REALLY wana do this..!!!
SILVER Member
member
49 posts
Location: Nuneaton, England
member
49 posts
Location: Nuneaton, England
Posted:
I wish I could go to circus school!
I'm hopeless at most things, and I'd still enrol if I could, so go for it! It'll be a great experience if nothing else.
I say you should do it
I wish I could go to circus school!
I'm hopeless at most things, and I'd still enrol if I could, so go for it! It'll be a great experience if nothing else.
I say you should do it
No poi can pierce my skintanium armour! (Though they can bruise it...)
"I don't really say quotable things..." - Linden Rathen
"Is this Flora special?" - Linden
"I dunno, ask it" - GothFrogette
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom
Posted:
You can do a BTEC national dimploma in performing arts > circus skills.
Was looking into it at the time i was applying for college. But decided against it.
If you do go I hope you have fun!!
You can do a BTEC national dimploma in performing arts > circus skills.
Was looking into it at the time i was applying for college. But decided against it.
If you do go I hope you have fun!!
BRONZE Member
I invented the decaffinated coffee table.
453 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
I invented the decaffinated coffee table.
453 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
Posted:
I know someone who went to circus school, he was in my brother's year at school. I think he was an extremely gifted juggler before he went, and could unicycle etc. As far as I know he now travels the world doing shows.
Most diplomas in circus skills seem to focus on breadth of ability, rather than one particular specialism. If you have to have an audition, I would imagine that they would want to see a desire to learn - you could possibly demonstrate this by having by a "taster" of different skills (ie some movement stuff, some juggling, etc)- and a level of fitness that would show that you could manage the regime of the course (although some courses have a pre-training fitness programme for you to start before you being the course to get your fitness levels up to speed).
As far as I am aware with these types of courses showing creativity and the ability to perform are just as, if not more important, than specific skills, so they may not need you to have very well developed skills already.
Do you know what course you were thinking of doing?
You could always ring the school and ask them what they are looking for from applicants.
Go for it!
Hope this helps. Good luck.
I know someone who went to circus school, he was in my brother's year at school. I think he was an extremely gifted juggler before he went, and could unicycle etc. As far as I know he now travels the world doing shows.
Most diplomas in circus skills seem to focus on breadth of ability, rather than one particular specialism. If you have to have an audition, I would imagine that they would want to see a desire to learn - you could possibly demonstrate this by having by a "taster" of different skills (ie some movement stuff, some juggling, etc)- and a level of fitness that would show that you could manage the regime of the course (although some courses have a pre-training fitness programme for you to start before you being the course to get your fitness levels up to speed).
As far as I am aware with these types of courses showing creativity and the ability to perform are just as, if not more important, than specific skills, so they may not need you to have very well developed skills already.
Do you know what course you were thinking of doing?
You could always ring the school and ask them what they are looking for from applicants.
Go for it!
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Boo x
I intend to live forever - so far, so good.
If it costs "a penny for your thoughts", but people give you their "two-pence worth", who is getting the extra penny?
newbie
17 posts
17 posts
Posted:
thanks boo! that is helpful... yeah the audition part scares me, i have to do like a 3min 'performance' so i think im going to get a poi routine going...
..from what uve said basically, i think i need to spend the next few months 'training'.. getting fitter and juggling etc..
the course that i was thinking of doing is a 1year Diploma.. i figured that if it goes really well, i can then go on and do the second year.. and yeah, they have fitness and dance/movement classes alongside the circus skills training, and i dont think you have to 'specialise' until after the first 3months, which i guess gives you time to see what ur gonna be best at..
im so excited!! its gonna be the best thing ever!
thanks boo! that is helpful... yeah the audition part scares me, i have to do like a 3min 'performance' so i think im going to get a poi routine going...
..from what uve said basically, i think i need to spend the next few months 'training'.. getting fitter and juggling etc..
the course that i was thinking of doing is a 1year Diploma.. i figured that if it goes really well, i can then go on and do the second year.. and yeah, they have fitness and dance/movement classes alongside the circus skills training, and i dont think you have to 'specialise' until after the first 3months, which i guess gives you time to see what ur gonna be best at..
im so excited!! its gonna be the best thing ever!
SILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Posted:
2Bags is currently doing a Circus Arts course in Bristol- he said he'll drop onto HOP at some point, though it has been a while.
2Bags is currently doing a Circus Arts course in Bristol- he said he'll drop onto HOP at some point, though it has been a while.
newbie
17 posts
17 posts
Posted:
aaaah really?? id really like to talk to him.. do u think its worth sending him a PM or will he not check in?
Written by: Mr Chutney
2Bags is currently doing a Circus Arts course in Bristol- he said he'll drop onto HOP at some point, though it has been a while.
aaaah really?? id really like to talk to him.. do u think its worth sending him a PM or will he not check in?
Internet Hate Machine
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
Posted:
I've heard of this [place called circus space, which I've checked out.
It looks pretty cool. I may sign up for a course...
I've heard of this [place called circus space, which I've checked out.
It looks pretty cool. I may sign up for a course...
The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
newbie
17 posts
17 posts
Posted:
yeah thats the one im (hopefully) going to... ive emailed them with my concerns.. so just waiting for response...
yeah thats the one im (hopefully) going to... ive emailed them with my concerns.. so just waiting for response...
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Posted:
i know the interview process takes a day (i suppose 8 hours ish) for the longer course. That has already started for this year, so they may say apply next year. They do test your abilities and fitness levels.
Maybe if you don't live too far away, it might be wiser to sign up for the shorter courses to see if you got what they need, plus it may help your application for a longer course. I know Circomedia has a very high standard, god knows how 2bags got in
i know the interview process takes a day (i suppose 8 hours ish) for the longer course. That has already started for this year, so they may say apply next year. They do test your abilities and fitness levels.
Maybe if you don't live too far away, it might be wiser to sign up for the shorter courses to see if you got what they need, plus it may help your application for a longer course. I know Circomedia has a very high standard, god knows how 2bags got in
Gayle.....!
newbie
17 posts
17 posts
Posted:
i was thinking for next year definately.. that way i got time to get up to the level that i need to be at.. (whatever that is...) and save money..
..dont live in bristol yet, was just gonna move there next year to do this..!
i was thinking for next year definately.. that way i got time to get up to the level that i need to be at.. (whatever that is...) and save money..
..dont live in bristol yet, was just gonna move there next year to do this..!
SILVER Member
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
Posted:
if you have a little search for NICA at Swineburn University Melbourne Australia, you can download a list of prerequisits that you need to display to enrol in the circus diploma, it seems pretty hard so it would be a good indicator for most other schools.
if you have a little search for NICA at Swineburn University Melbourne Australia, you can download a list of prerequisits that you need to display to enrol in the circus diploma, it seems pretty hard so it would be a good indicator for most other schools.
"but have you considered there is more to life than your eyelids?"
jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,092 posts
Location: In a van, United Kingdom
old hand
1,092 posts
Location: In a van, United Kingdom
Posted:
I want to go to circomedia next year!
I know mike one of the tutors there, so hopefully he will help me out a bit!!
2bags is enjoying himself, actually, he was at mine last night, drove all the way from bristol to see me i tell u!! lol....
he hasnt got any internet access, so he wont be online... best go to sheff this weekend.. he will be there!
I want to go to circomedia next year!
I know mike one of the tutors there, so hopefully he will help me out a bit!!
2bags is enjoying himself, actually, he was at mine last night, drove all the way from bristol to see me i tell u!! lol....
he hasnt got any internet access, so he wont be online... best go to sheff this weekend.. he will be there!
passing through, this world still lives.
BRONZE Member
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Posted:
you sound exactly like me! I wanted to go to NICA (that Majestik mentioned) and i had the same skills as you!
But I can't help cos in the end my parents talked me out of it. or rather, "if you do this we won't financially support you". But there was some other brain washing as well. What can I say, parents like kids who do law and medicine (neither of which I'm doing anyway!)
Goodluck with it though! I hope to live vicariously through you!
you sound exactly like me! I wanted to go to NICA (that Majestik mentioned) and i had the same skills as you!
But I can't help cos in the end my parents talked me out of it. or rather, "if you do this we won't financially support you". But there was some other brain washing as well. What can I say, parents like kids who do law and medicine (neither of which I'm doing anyway!)
Goodluck with it though! I hope to live vicariously through you!
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
newbie
17 posts
17 posts
Posted:
Rouge Dragon - yeah my parents are trying to talk me out of it as well... 'what dyou wana do that for? its a waste of time.. are you sure your fit enough..etc'
but my mates are being wicked and have given me confidence to think that i can do it..
Frodo - cool! hopefully i will see you there! hey, if you find out any tips/suggestions on how to get through the audition, please let me know!
Mr Majestik - cool thanks man, im gonna do that right now!
Rouge Dragon - yeah my parents are trying to talk me out of it as well... 'what dyou wana do that for? its a waste of time.. are you sure your fit enough..etc'
but my mates are being wicked and have given me confidence to think that i can do it..
Frodo - cool! hopefully i will see you there! hey, if you find out any tips/suggestions on how to get through the audition, please let me know!
Mr Majestik - cool thanks man, im gonna do that right now!
SILVER Member
member
39 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
member
39 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
There was a kid at my high school who was in the circus. He was really fit and did a lot of working out, etc. It was kind of weird actually, because sometime in year 11 this guy smoked pot for the first time, and within the span of about two weeks had moved onto harder stuff like ecstasy and was going to raves and what-not. He ended up dropping out and became a drug dealer. He put on a lot of weight and his skin became really bad. Two years on from then, he is still a drug dealer as far as I know (and a particularly paranoid, unreliable one at that!). Personally, I think I would prefer being part of a circus to dealing drugs, but I guess you could say he was someone who always struggled to fit in at school.
Whilst searching the 'net for poi-related things, I've come across Circus Arts courses and such occasionally. I too got the impression, as DrBoo pointed out, that these courses tend to be geared towards breadth of ability rather than specialisation in a particular field. But surely there are people who work in circuses that can only do one or two things really well as opposed to the whole lot, right?
It is my dream to run away and join the circus one day.
There was a kid at my high school who was in the circus. He was really fit and did a lot of working out, etc. It was kind of weird actually, because sometime in year 11 this guy smoked pot for the first time, and within the span of about two weeks had moved onto harder stuff like ecstasy and was going to raves and what-not. He ended up dropping out and became a drug dealer. He put on a lot of weight and his skin became really bad. Two years on from then, he is still a drug dealer as far as I know (and a particularly paranoid, unreliable one at that!). Personally, I think I would prefer being part of a circus to dealing drugs, but I guess you could say he was someone who always struggled to fit in at school.
Whilst searching the 'net for poi-related things, I've come across Circus Arts courses and such occasionally. I too got the impression, as DrBoo pointed out, that these courses tend to be geared towards breadth of ability rather than specialisation in a particular field. But surely there are people who work in circuses that can only do one or two things really well as opposed to the whole lot, right?
It is my dream to run away and join the circus one day.
newbie
17 posts
17 posts
Posted:
i looked on that aussie website and the standard looks super high.. im hoping that circomedia isnt as bad...
the bit actually that scared me the most on that was having to do an improvised dance in the audition........
ok - and i cant do the splits but i reckon with a bit of practise i could..
does anybody know exactly what the audition involves, ive been trying to contact them for days but theres no answer??
i looked on that aussie website and the standard looks super high.. im hoping that circomedia isnt as bad...
the bit actually that scared me the most on that was having to do an improvised dance in the audition........
ok - and i cant do the splits but i reckon with a bit of practise i could..
does anybody know exactly what the audition involves, ive been trying to contact them for days but theres no answer??
addict
422 posts
Location: London
422 posts
Location: London
Posted:
circomedia is more performanced based and circus space is more skilled based. Im in a circus school here in Ireland but im hoping to go to Cicomedia next year (2bags and ture have said its well worth it) fir circomedia you need a 4min performance piece (i was told not to do staff or poi
) and you perform infront of either 1 or 3 members of staff. and you have an interview. If you want to do it go for it.....PM me if you want to ask anymore questions _my housemate is a graduate from circomedia and i know 2 people there this year
circomedia is more performanced based and circus space is more skilled based. Im in a circus school here in Ireland but im hoping to go to Cicomedia next year (2bags and ture have said its well worth it) fir circomedia you need a 4min performance piece (i was told not to do staff or poi
) and you perform infront of either 1 or 3 members of staff. and you have an interview. If you want to do it go for it.....PM me if you want to ask anymore questions _my housemate is a graduate from circomedia and i know 2 people there this year There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers...
BRONZE Member
enthusiast
272 posts
Location: bristol, uk
enthusiast
272 posts
Location: bristol, uk
Posted:
hey, sorry i've not posted earlier but i'm never online anymore. gayle gave me strict instructions that if i didn't get my ass on the net and post here then she wouldn't go out drinking with me.
i don't think that the entry requirements to get into circomedia are very high. as people have already said, they are far more focussed on the performance side of things. i think if you show enthusiasm and willingness to learn then you'll be fine. there are quite a few people on the one year course this year that haven't done any circus before, but have a background in acting.
i'm really enjoying the course and i think i'm learning a great deal about performance. however, i wouldn't necessarily come here if you were more interested in technique. it's a slightly strange course, and i think if i had come to the course without having done any circus and wanting to learn juggling, trapese and acro then i might have been a bit dissappointed.
if you want to come hear to learn how to incorporate physical theatre into a routine so it's less skills based, and more focussed on presentation then i think this is the right place to come to. physical theatre and performance are two important parts of the course, along with modules in movement, choreography, body awareness and other such fun things.
the worse part of the course is that i never seem to have any free time any more. i'm never online and i've not been to any spins in bristol
. the days are really long and you tend to want to train in the evenings so your pretty dead by the weekends.
i can give you more specific details of the course or the interview process if you like. post questions here and someone will magically text me them and tell me to get online.
hey, sorry i've not posted earlier but i'm never online anymore. gayle gave me strict instructions that if i didn't get my ass on the net and post here then she wouldn't go out drinking with me.
i don't think that the entry requirements to get into circomedia are very high. as people have already said, they are far more focussed on the performance side of things. i think if you show enthusiasm and willingness to learn then you'll be fine. there are quite a few people on the one year course this year that haven't done any circus before, but have a background in acting.
i'm really enjoying the course and i think i'm learning a great deal about performance. however, i wouldn't necessarily come here if you were more interested in technique. it's a slightly strange course, and i think if i had come to the course without having done any circus and wanting to learn juggling, trapese and acro then i might have been a bit dissappointed.
if you want to come hear to learn how to incorporate physical theatre into a routine so it's less skills based, and more focussed on presentation then i think this is the right place to come to. physical theatre and performance are two important parts of the course, along with modules in movement, choreography, body awareness and other such fun things.
the worse part of the course is that i never seem to have any free time any more. i'm never online and i've not been to any spins in bristol
. the days are really long and you tend to want to train in the evenings so your pretty dead by the weekends.i can give you more specific details of the course or the interview process if you like. post questions here and someone will magically text me them and tell me to get online.
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,964 posts
Location: Southampton - Possibly..., United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,964 posts
Location: Southampton - Possibly..., United Kingdom
Posted:
slacker
slacker
"...We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing......."
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Posted:
and drinks are back on! 
Written by: 2bags
hey, sorry i've not posted earlier but i'm never online anymore. gayle gave me strict instructions that if i didn't get my ass on the net and post here then she wouldn't go out drinking with me.
and drinks are back on!
Gayle.....!
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
We miss you Steve
Hope you're having a great time though
We miss you Steve
Hope you're having a great time though
Getting to the other side 
SILVER Member
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
Posted:
yay for drinks!
yay for drinks!
"but have you considered there is more to life than your eyelids?"
jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley
newbie
17 posts
17 posts
Posted:
ah wow! thanks 2bags! and thanks to Gayle & co for getting him to come and post..!
I think that ive decided that what im gonna do is come to bristol and check the school out for myself cos then i will know whats going on and i can ask as many questions as i need to!
In some ways what you were saying sounds really cool - that its about creating performance and stuff - thats the stuff im least confident with so it would be really ace to learn actually and the fact that it sounds like its not about being amazing at something, its more about 'presenting' it well - am i on the right lines?!
im very intrigued i have to say - im gonna come and check it out... if your online in the next week or so.. can i just rock up anytime to check it out (obviously should prob call first!), or is there open days etc..?
maybe its cos im only calling in the evenings but im finding the school really hard to get hold of!
ta to everyone for support/encouragement etc.. youve all been fab,
Lu x
ah wow! thanks 2bags! and thanks to Gayle & co for getting him to come and post..!
I think that ive decided that what im gonna do is come to bristol and check the school out for myself cos then i will know whats going on and i can ask as many questions as i need to!
In some ways what you were saying sounds really cool - that its about creating performance and stuff - thats the stuff im least confident with so it would be really ace to learn actually and the fact that it sounds like its not about being amazing at something, its more about 'presenting' it well - am i on the right lines?!
im very intrigued i have to say - im gonna come and check it out... if your online in the next week or so.. can i just rock up anytime to check it out (obviously should prob call first!), or is there open days etc..?
maybe its cos im only calling in the evenings but im finding the school really hard to get hold of!
ta to everyone for support/encouragement etc.. youve all been fab,
Lu x
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