Desire to join Circus School

Hello everyone! My goal is to join a Circus school such as NICA in Melbourne or ENC in Montreal for example. However I am not sure what are the minimum requirements to be accepted into such schools.

I am 19 years old and can hold a pefectly straight Handstand for 1 minute. As well as having "basic tumbling" for example I can Roundoff-BHS-Backtuck/Layout/Whip and I am now landing Arabians and Fulls out of Roundoff with relative ease. I can also Front sault/Sidesault/Backsault and Standing full.

Do you think that I am someone that they would think they could work with and possibly make a very skillfull Circus Performer? My main interests is in Tumbling (acrobatics) and Equilibre (Hand balance) but willling to learn as much as possible.

Also how would an audition for one of these schools be structured for someone of my skill level and what could I learn or refine to further my chances? Would they even consider someone with just basic tumbling skill?

Anyway really appreciate any help

Especially if you have experience in these things.

Ask Handbalancer, he's been in circus school.

Hi, there are a couple of very good threads on this forum from the past where people (about your age) wanted to join circus school. Try to find them using the search function, I remember them being quite helpful and the aforementioned Handbalancer included advice in those threads.

Handbalancer did talk about it, search it.

Also, it is more about potential candidate has, not if he can do 1min handstand right now.

For example you can have a look at recorded answers to these question from the London NCCA, some links below - check their channel, there is more on the subject on auditions, etc.

It is likely that schools of your choice have published answers to these questions, have you done some research?

NICA has a video about their requirements on youtube

Another place you might consider is NECCA in Vermont. I know quite a few talented performers who trained there.

Thanks for the help guys. Those videos were re-assuring haha I had seen some NICA requirements videos and they were very stringent.

Also I will definitely have a look into that school in Vermont

I think a year or so in a preparatory program at a much smaller school is in order to really have a shot at getting in to one of those larger schools.

I graduated NICA in 2009. I remember finding the NICA auditions very easy (at least for me).  The audition was basically my gymnastic warm up.   From what I hear, its much harder to get into Montreal.

Why do you want to go to circus school? What are you goals? What is your background.  I'm quite familiar with NICA, and I should be able to give you better advice knowing what your goals are and what you want out of it.

jules said:

I graduated NICA in 2009. I remember finding the NICA auditions very easy (at least for me).  The audition was basically my gymnastic warm up.   From what I hear, its much harder to get into Montreal.

 

Why do you want to go to circus school? What are you goals? What is your background.  I'm quite familiar with NICA, and I should be able to give you better advice knowing what your goals are and what you want out of it.

Oh that is soo cool! Did you like it? I was just looking up some circus school, cuz I was interested.

And do you know if the fees cover accommodation also?

Hey Jules! That's awesome to have some first-hand experience here from a school I am interested in, there is too much I want to ask.

Could you say exactly what the auditions were like and what you had to do? When you go there do you learn all the Circus skills? Or can you specialise? As I said my interest is mainly in Acrobatics and Hand balance but I'd be willing to learn everything if it was apart of the whole course. Did you stay on campus and as Katlinchen asked did the fee include accom?

My goal would be to travel and peform in a Circus or to use my skill for stunt work/show performance etc. starry eyed or whatever but eh

I am just unsure if only having skill in basic tumbling and being able to hold a handstand is enough to be accepted.

katlinchen said:

Oh that is soo cool! Did you like it? I was just looking up some circus school, cuz I was interested.

And do you know if the fees cover accommodation also?

Fees do not cover accommodation, only tuition/training.   From memory fees for international students are about $18k a year - but dont quote me on that, look it up yourself.  You need to find your own accommodation.

Like everything in life, its has the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Its extremely important (especially if you are paying $18k/yr) to know what you're getting yourself into, and what you want out of it. Also different school have different strengths depending on the coache's specialities and the set up of the school. 

My audition was quite simple. Basic tumbling, Timed Handstand, Rope climb attempt, push ups/pullup etc.   

NICA always has different type of people get through. Some cant tumble or handstand, but have good potential for juggling etc. Remember, you are going to a school, they looking for potential.  

The first 6 months (to a year?) if 'Basic' training - focusing on tumbling, handstands, flexibility + Group acts.  Then after that, you get to choose 2 specialities to follow through to the end of the 3 years.  I chose Chinese Pole and Corde Lisse (Aerial Rope). ( And am now performing my act with Cirque du Soleil in Vegas).   

If you want a detailed response, then PM me.  Some things I'm happy to discuss in the forum, other are better suited through PM.

If you're interested you can give some european schools a shot like http://www.codarts.nl/circus/Codarts in Rotterdam/ Netherlands or the german state school for artistic http://www.artistenschule-berlin.de/artistik_e/index.html

As far as i know the European schools are more concerned about artistic expression than only focussing on skills. which can be very interesting and hard to combine. The technical and physical aspects and the expression and art. 

You can also study Circus Arts in Tilburg at Fonty's! I know someone who studies there and she loves it! You end with a Bachelor's Degree of Circus Arts

Johannes Thumser said:

If you're interested you can give some european schools a shot like http://www.codarts.nl/circus/Codarts in Rotterdam/ Netherlands or the german state school for artistic http://www.artistenschule-berlin.de/artistik_e/index.html

 

As far as i know the European schools are more concerned about artistic expression than only focussing on skills. which can be very interesting and hard to combine. The technical and physical aspects and the expression and art. 

I think Berlin is only for kid and teenager up to 18 or 19 years

Hey Jordan,

Did you find what you were looking for in this tread?
I graduated NICA this year so I can tell you all about it if you would like more information