Circus in Performance 2011

Full Time Circus Foundation Course

Full time for 12 weeks between January and April 2011 - A twelve-week intensive foundation course in circus skills for adults. Accredited by the Open College Network to level 3.

Download the course prospectus here.

Download the application form here. 

The course addresses all aspects of circus skills and performance, and culminates in planning, producing, preparing and performing a successful show. It will be hard work but fun and participants will need to be dedicated, determined and willing to work with a group of other artists.

There are seven circus and performance disciplines with weekly classes in each. Participants study everything for the first six weeks, and continue with clown, dance and performance throughout the course, but specialise in two of acro, arial, equilibristics and manipulation for the second half of the course:

• Acrobatics and Acrobalance - including tumbling, hand to hand balancing, pyramids
• Aerial - focussing on Static trapeze but including other disciplines such as silks, hoop and corde lisse
• Clowning -  Clowning and clown characters
• Equilibristics - tightwire, unicycle, walking ladder, stilts, rola bola  and walking globe
• Manipulation - including juggling, diabolo, devil stick, staff, hat manipulation
• Movement Arts and Dance - e.g. contemporary, street dance and movement for performance
• Performance Skills - e.g. physical character work, energy, focus, vocal and physical techniques.

Each of these modules are taught by professional, practicing exponents of the art, many with national and international reputations.

Throughout the course the emphasis is on presentation rather than demonstration and various techniques will be explored to encourage the unique performer within us all. In addition the course covers many areas involved in performing professionally such as First Aid, Child Protection, Health and safety and how to survive as a self-employed circus performer.

Former Greentop learners have gone on to study at BTEC and Degree level at Circomedia and Circus Space and circus schools in other European countries and perform at Glastonbury, lbiza and at festivals across the globe. All learners are given complimentary membership of Greentop for one year, entitling them to discounted rates for most future events and workshops.

Feedback from the learners:

"It has been a life changing experience.
Something that was a far off dream for years is now more of a reality"
"It has given me lots of confidence to pursue my ambitions"
"The tutors were all brilliant in their disciplines and so supportive"

Feedback from the Open College Network:

"The learners that I spoke to were very enthusiastic about the course - the only thing is that they would have welcomed a longer course they are enjoying it so much"

To apply for CIP2011 fill in the application form (link above). You will need to attend the audition on Monday 4th October 10am. For more information see the Prospectus, email administration@greentop.org
or call +44 (0)114 244 8828