Professional Circus Training Programs
The Professional Circus Training Programs at San Francisco CIRCUS CENTER are designed to train students who show the necessary qualities to pursue a professional circus career. Our goal is to help future performers build acts that can work professionally and compete in the international circus market.
CIRCUS CENTER offers two distinct programs: the CIRCUS ARTS program with three specializations (acrobatics, aerial arts, contortion), and the CLOWN CONSERVATORY.
CIRCUS ARTS
The Circus Arts program offers specializations in acrobatics, aerial arts, and contortion. All students follow a common curriculum in basic circus training (basic acrobatics, stretching, ballet, acting, etc) and have one-to-one coaching in their chosen specialty.
Students submit to a selection process and upon acceptance enter a fourteen-week trial training program (September to December). Those who pass the faculty-led evaluation panel at the end of this period are invited to complete the program, which can range from 1 to 3 years, depending on the difficulty of the act being prepared.
Weekly classes (five days-a-week) include:
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Specialty training (acrobatics, aerial, contortion)
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Stretching
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Basic acrobatics
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Ballet
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Acting (mime, improvisation, body movement, etc.)
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Modular classes (circus and acts history, physiology, rigging safety, etc.)
In addition to the above, students are expected to exercise and stretch several hours a-day.
CLOWN CONSERVATORY
The Clown Conservatory accepts students from a variety of performing arts backgrounds who show a strong potential to become professional clowns, whether in the circus ring, on stage, or in other settings (such as clowning in hospitals). Students submit to a selection process and upon acceptance enter the First Year Program (September to June).
Weekly classes (three days-a-week) include:
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Core clowning (classic routines, character development, history, performance, creating material, clowns in community)
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Acrobatics
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Circus skills (juggling, stilt-walking, balancing and more)
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Dance
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Mime
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Body awareness
An Advanced Program (September to May) is offered to Clown Conservatory graduates and qualified non-graduates in one of three specialized tracks:
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Clown Ensemble Performing Track – Creating and performing an original production directed by top professionals (acceptance by audition only)
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Social Circus Track – Instruction and hands-on work in hospital clowning, teaching, clown therapy, and other aspects of Social Circus
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Independent Study Track – Additional one-to-one artistic and business coaching for working performers
Evaluation and Performance
Our program directors and faculty evaluate students on a regular basis. Students are offered an opportunity to perform in front of an audience at the end of each session (December and June), and possibly at other times (every five weeks for Clown students) in order to gain performing experience. When they have completed their course of study and are considered ready for professional work, students are given resources and assistance to help them get started in the circus business.
Tuition and Payments
CIRCUS ARTS:
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Trial training period - $3,300 *
(September 8, 2009 – December 20, 2009)
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January 4, 2010 – June 13, 2010 - $4,600
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Annual tuition fee - $6,500 *
(Second or Third Year: September to June)
CLOWN CONSERVATORY:
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First Year $8,500 *
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Advanced Program $4,000 *
* Includes a non-refundable $500 processing fee which must be paid upon acceptance to secure your space in the program. While tuition includes all group classes and one-to-one coaching, it does not include lodging and personal health insurance, which is mandatory.
Foreign Students
CIRCUS CENTER is accredited to receive foreign students, who must obtain a U.S. Student Visa from their local American Consulate upon acceptance to the Professional Training Program. They will receive the necessary instructions regarding their visa application upon acceptance to the program.
Application Process
Please submit the following documents before
June 30, 2009:
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Resume including name, address, date of birth, telephone number, and email address. Please include prior physical and artistic training and professional performing experience, if any.
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Full-body photograph
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Three letters of recommendation
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Short letter of intent explaining why you want to enroll in the program. What are your dreams, goals, and ambitions? What or who inspired you to study circus arts or clowning?
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A medical certificate certifying that your health and physical condition allow for intense physical activity.
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A financial statement explaining how you will support yourself and cover tuition.
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A DVD that includes a brief spoken version of your letter of intent, and:
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For CIRCUS ARTS:
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Your present act, if any, and samples of your physical and artistic skills (acrobatics, gymnastics, sports, ballet, dance, etc.)
Flexibility demonstration (splits, backbend, etc.) -
Strength demonstration (10 pull-ups, push ups, leg lifts, etc.)
- For CLOWN CONSERVATORY:
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Your present act, if any, and samples of your physical and artistic skills (such as acrobatics, sports, dance, juggling, acting, mime, music, etc.)
THE FACULTY
CIRCUS CENTER’s faculty is composed of international performing artists with long and successful careers. Such diversity makes our Professional Training Programs unique in this country. Not only can students learn skills and techniques from extremely competent teachers, they can also take advantage of our faculty’s knowledge and experience performing at the highest level on the international circus scene.
Our Programs are Headed by:
Acrobatics: Lu Yi
A former star acrobat in China, Lu Yi was for many years Director of The Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe and Vice-President of The Chinese Acrobatics Association.
Aerial: Elena Panova
Founding Director of CIRCUS CENTER’s professional aerial training program, Elena Panova is an award-winning aerialist from Russia. She performed her swinging trapeze act for twenty years with some of the world’s most prestigious circuses.
Clowning: Jeff Raz
Founding Director of CIRCUS CENTER’s Clown Conservatory, Jeff Raz has performed on Broadway and in theaters and circus productions around the world, including Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo, (playing the lead role).
Contortion: Serchmaa Byamba
Born in Mongolia and trained by the legendary contortion teacher, Madame Tsend-Ayoush, Serchmaa Byamba has performed her amazing contortion and balancing acts around the world.
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE before June 30, 2009 to the address below, indicating which specialty area you are applying for (Acrobatics, Aerial, Contortion, or Clowning):
Professional Circus Training Programs
(Indicate Specialty Here)
San Francisco CIRCUS CENTER
755 Frederick Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
USA
For additional information, please visit
www.circuscenter.org
www.clownconservatory.org
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