Circus is an art form and wonderfully rich teaching tool that offers students a wide array of learning options. Taking a broad approach to teaching circus, I want students both to learn circus arts and to learn through circus arts. Juggling, acrobatics, equilibristics and clowning are skills that build the student's focus, body-awareness, and balance. These skills also provide the means for students to understand physics concepts, dramatize a story, and solve creative problems.
The impact that even a few days of circus training and play can have on students is amazing: shy students breaking out, serious kids getting silly, different cliques working together, individuals challenging themselves and their peers in a fun/safe environment.
I've taught circus all over the country (see bio) and would love to work with you and your community. Please contact me with your specific interests and ideas. Here are a few options I offer for workshops:
Circus Arts Workshop
Students learn juggling, acrobatics (solo and partner), object manipulation, balance (globe, unicycle, rolla bolla), and clowning skills in a fun, creative group environment. Depending on the length of the workshop, I help students create acts and put on a show.
Circus Learning Workshop
In this unique workshop, students take the circus on as a learning project. In addition to learning the whole range of circus skills, students research circus-related topics and use the skills to present their findings. Topics range from the history of a clown character to the mathematics of juggling. I along with teachers, friends, and family help the students identify their interests and investigate their topics.
"The Human Wall" Students at Youth Initiative High School performing
their Space Disco Circus, the end product of a 9-week Circus Arts Class