TRAINING

If I have no prior experience in any type of training like this… Can I still come in for a class?

Of course! We have many beginner level classes without prerequisites, like All Levels Flying Trapeze, Mobility and Flexibility, Intro to Mixed Aerials, Circus Bootcamp, Aerial Conditioning, Intro to Acrobatics, and more. As you build your skills you can move up to our higher level classes!


What is the minimum age for your classes?

All Levels Flying Trapeze: Minimum age is 7. Our support harnesses can support up to 250 pounds and up to a size 38″ waist.

Adult Classes: Minimum age is 16. Students under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a liability waiver and meet all the prerequisites for class to enroll.

Juggling Club: Minimum age is 15. Students under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a liability waiver and meet all the prerequisites for class to enroll.

San Francisco Youth Circus: The San Francisco Youth Circus (SFYC) is a comprehensive circus training program that nurtures students through their development as circus artists. SFYC is by audition only and is open to youth ages 8-18.  Students must have basic skills, a passion for circus, the drive to train hard, and a willingness to commit to the program.  See information here.

Circus Classes for Youth: We offer circus classes for youth in Aerial Arts, Acrobatics, Circus Skills, and Strength & Flexibility.  All classes are one hour.  Students must be between 6-14 years old. See information here.

How do my kids get involved? What classes do you have for kids?

San Francisco Youth Circus: The San Francisco Youth Circus (SFYC) is a comprehensive circus training program that nurtures students through their development as circus artists. SFYC is by audition only and is open to youth ages 8-18.  Students must have basic skills, a passion for circus, the drive to train hard, and a willingness to commit to the program.  See information here.

Circus Classes for Youth: We offer circus classes for youth in Aerial Arts, Acrobatics, Circus Skills, and Strength & Flexibility.  All classes are one hour.  Students must be between 6-16 years old. See information here.

Circus Camp offers a fun introduction to acrobatics, aerial arts, circus skills and flying trapeze In the summer and other school breaks. Learn more about the latest offerings here.

I’ve trained elsewhere, how can I take upper level classes at Circus Center?

Many of our classes have the prerequisite of “instructor approval” which can be obtained three ways:

First, you can attend an introductory or all levels class in the discipline and speak with the instructor about your training goals before class. The instructor will evaluate your skills during class and let you know if you are eligible for approval.  Please let the front desk know if you obtain a prerequisite approval. 

Second, you can take a private lesson with an instructor who teaches the discipline in order to be appropriately placed in leveled classes. You can request a private lesson here.

The third option is to send a non-password protected link of a recent video of yourself performing or training in the circus art you want to study to info@circuscenter.org. Our instructors can evaluate your skills from the video and make their recommendations about appropriate class placement.

How do I get a private lesson?

Please visit this page to review our private lesson instructors and offerings. Private lessons are arranged directly with the coaches and billing is processed through your Momence account by the Front Desk Administration team.


How much do classes cost?

Check the Prices page for most up-to-date rate information and current package deals.


What is Session Enrollment?

The majority of our adult classes can be attended as either a drop in student or as a session enrolled student.  This means that for most classes there will be some students who have signed up for the whole session- paid one price to attend the same day and time of a class for a several month period to guarantee their spot in the class at the lowest price, and there will be some students who are “dropping in” with individual class credits or class packs- attending just one date of a repeating class in order to maximize their scheduling flexibility.  

Session Enrollment for adult classes allows students to get the best price and guarantee a spot in a particular day and time of class.  Here are some important facts about session enrollment:

• There is a limited time frame when students can enroll- from the start of our priority enrollment period (announced in the newsletters each session) until the first week of the class has passed.  
• There are no make ups or cancellations to accommodate a student’s changing schedule or short illness/injury, but every session enrollment comes with a bonus class credit.
• A session enrollment is for a single student and can’t be shared, including among family members.

HOW DO I ENROLL FOR A FULL SESSION OF ADULT CLASSES?

Subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first to know about our session enrollment priority periods.  Session Enrollments must be processed by the Front Desk Team.  

To enroll, make sure you have an account set up (see below) and a credit card on file. Then email the Student Services Team at info@circuscenter.org, let them know which session you would like to enroll in, and give them authorization to charge your credit card on file. Please be sure to include the date, time, and name of the session you want to enroll in. Session enrollments will be processed in the order they are received.

After you create your account, you can also call the Front Desk Team at 415-759-8123 to enroll in a session.

Session pricing is available on the Prices page.

What is Juggling Club?

Juggling club is back! For decades, Circus Center has been home to the best jugglers the Bay Area has to offer. If you want to pass clubs, learn a 3 ball cascade, or work on your 5 club backcrosses then this is the place to be. Circus Center was founded as the Pickle Family Circus School in 1984 by two amazing jugglers: Judy Finelli and Wendy Parkman. In the last 37 years, dozens of world class jugglers have practiced their skills in the theatre here at 755 Frederick St. Come be a part of that incredible legacy. Indoors. High ceilings. Things to juggle will be provided by Circus Center.

Ages 15 and Up. Suggested Donation of $5-10 will be collected on site in the form of cash or Paypal.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

We recommend comfortable, breathable workout clothes that allow you a full range of movement, like yoga or dancewear. Since many of our classes include inverted movement such as handstands, baggy clothes are not recommended.

For classes that use the trapeze and other apparatuses (like Aerial Conditioning), it is most comfortable to wear workout pants that cover the knees.

Specialized shoes are not necessary for any of our classes except Chinese Pole. We have several pairs of athletic Pole shoes available to borrow; please call ahead for size availability or feel free to bring your own.

In some training spaces you will be asked to remove your outdoor shoes.

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ACCOUNTS

This class says wait list only, can I still sign up for it? How does the wait list work?

If a class is waitlist only, that means it is currently full. However, you can put yourself on the waitlist and possibly get bumped into the class if someone cancels their spot. We encourage students to waitlist themselves. Simply click on the “Waitlist” button next to the class and follow the steps.

If you are added into a class from the waitlist, your class credit will be considered used. If you are added to a class from the waitlist at least 24 hours before class starts, a notification email will be automatically sent to the email address on your account. 

When there is less than 24hrs before the start time of the class, the waitlist function is no longer available and if spaces become available in class, they are open to anyone on a first-come first-served basis- including the people who had previously been on the waitlist for the class.  

You can read more on our Policies page.

How do I cancel myself out of a class?

You can cancel yourself out of a class by logging into your account, looking at your schedule, and clicking “cancel” next to the class you need to cancel. You can also call the Front Desk Team at 415-759-8123. Please note that we have a 24 hour cancellation policy for all classes and lessons. See below for more details, including Session cancellations.

HOW CAN I BUY A CLASS (OR WORKSHOP, WEEK OF CAMP, ETC.) FOR MY CHILD/BOYFRIEND/GRANDDAUGHTER/SECOND-COUSIN-TWICE-REMOVED?

Make sure that you and the person you are wishing to purchase something for both have a Momence Account. If you are unsure that a person you would like to purchase for has an account, please contact info@circuscenter.org to find out. To see which family members you have linked to your account, login and look under the profile you are immediately taken to.

If you have an existing linked account with the person you are purchasing for (such as a child or spouse), login to your account. Go to the In Person Classes tab and find the class you are looking to enroll into, click the “Sign Up Now” button. Under the details of the class, you will have the option to make the reservation for yourself or whomever is linked to your profile. You will be prompted for payment and upon completion the person will be enrolled! If you

If you would like to pay for someone but do not have them linked to your account, please contact the Front Desk at 415-759-8123 or info@circuscenter.org.

Please note that each student must be registered for class via his/her own Momence account.  Purchasing multiple class credits via your own student account does NOT reserve additional spaces for other students.

IS THERE A GENERAL LIABILITY WAIVER TO SIGN?

Yes. You can sign general release form on Momence when you sign-up for a class

Please contact info@circuscenter.org with your specific situation and we are happy to help.

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POLICIES

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT CIRCUS CENTER POLICIES?

Please review our policies page for most information training and purchase policies, or review the individual program pages for the most up to date information about our current offerings.  If you have questions about your specific situation, the folks at info@circuscenter.org are always happy to help. 

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OTHER

CAN YOU DONATE TO MY FUNDRAISER?

Circus Center is pleased to support many of our fellow community non-profit organizations through in-kind donations of classes, camps, tickets, and other Circus Center services for your auctions, raffles, and other fundraising efforts. Please note, we do not make cash donations, and we do not donate performances or performers. To make an in-kind donation request, please fill out this In-Kind Donation Request form.

HOW DO I BOOK PERFORMANCES?

Circus Center’s community of professional performers are available to enhance the beauty and elegance of your event. Our performers have performed in elite circuses and venues around the world. Get started by filling out our Booking Request Form, and the Circus Center staff will be in contact with you.

I HAVE A JOB POSTING YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN!

Send it to Anne Clark, Executive Director, and we’ll spread the word: anne [AT] circuscenter [DOT] org.

WHAT ARE THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT CIRCUS CENTER?

Check our Careers page for current openings. If you are interested in teaching, please note that your odds of being hired increase with your ability to make a substantial commitment to teaching with us. Send your resume/CV to jobs [AT] circuscenter [DOT] org.

DO YOU SELL GIFT CARDS?

Yes we do! Purchase gift cards here.

HOW CAN I DONATE TO CIRCUS CENTER?

Your tax-deductible donation supports scholarships for the talented youth, our free community activities, and much more. Visit our donate page for information on how to support our programs.

WHAT IS CIRCUS CENTER'S EMPLOYER ID NUMBER (EIN)?

94-3173332

IS CIRCUS CENTER HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE?

Circus Center has limited accessibility for individuals with handicaps, and we are not completely wheelchair accessible, as we are an historic building (2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design). Please contact us at 415-759-8123 in advance to learn more.

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RESOURCES