CIRCUS ARTS
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CIRCUS ARTS
Circus is a versatile discipline combining physicality, practicing skills and artistic thinking. Circus arts especially develop body control and motor skills, while also deepening the understanding of one's own body and its capabilities. Circus gives an opportunity to challenge one's own limits in a safe group environment. Interaction and social skills are enhanced through group-based learning. Exercises in self-expression and stage presence help students discover their own artistic expression.
Aerial acrobatics, balancing, juggling, hand stands and acrobatics are some examples of the skills you get to practice in Esko. There is something for everyone: Circus is a suitable hobby for all ages. The teaching progresses from basic tricks to more challenging skills according to students’ own interests. Artistic skills are practiced through performing.
There is a bit of theatre in our circus studies as well. The final production brings theatre and circus students together and offers an opportunity to explore both art forms. Ages 4-8 are mainly circus theatre students in Esko. After “Circus theatre 2” the students may continue to “Circus 3” or “Circus theatre 3” depending on their own interests.
CIRCUS PROGRAMMES OVERVIEW
At Esko, the first groups start at age 4 in our early childhood education syllabus (Circus theatre kids). From there, the students can continue into the general studies (8 years) and advanced studies (3 years).
Teaching progresses annually according to the curriculum. The yearly goals are briefly described below and in a separate diagram outlining the structure of education. There are additional groups for our advanced students: specialized training groups (aerial, acrobatics, etc.), performance group, physical training and open training.
CIRCUS ARTS
FOUNDATIONS OF THE EXTENDED CURRICULUM OF CIRCUS ARTS
Studying circus arts is a long-term, exploratory process where learning takes place through practice, experience, and diverse activities. The studies help students understand circus arts as a multidisciplinary whole that combines artistic, physical, and social skills. (Finnish National Agency for Education, Regulations and Guidelines 2017:12a)
The studies are based on the national core curriculum and comprise a total of 1,300 hours.
Comprehensive basic education in circus arts, following the extended curriculum, is provided at Circus Helsinki, Sorin Sirkus in Tampere, Taidekoulu Estradi in Lappeenranta, and Esko.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDIES
Basic education in the arts includes assessment. In circus arts education, each student receives an annual written evaluation and a final certificate upon completion of their studies. After graduation, records of studies in basic arts education can be transferred to the national Koski data repository.
FOUNDATIONS
FAMILY CIRCUS
Toddler and family groups are aimed for both children and parents (ages 1-3 and 4-6 v.). The year consists of training together, learning new skills, having fun in a supportive group and finally performing together. This group is not part of the basic education in the arts.
CIRCUS THEATRE KIDS (AGES 4-6)
Getting to know the basics of theatre and circus through play-like activities. During the class we practice acrobatics, play games, and explore different roles and the world of fairy tales. The students gain experience in diverse physical activities and performing in a safe and supportive group environment. Some groups rehearse in local kindergartens in Espoo.
PRE-SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMMES
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IKÄRYHMÄT
CIRCUS 1, AGES 7-8, THE WORLD OF CIRCUS
Students practice different circus disciplines; acrobatics, juggling, balancing and aerial acrobatics through playing and experimenting. Playing and exercising together develops the student’s teamwork skills. 60min/week
CIRCUS 2, AGES 8-9 THE BASICS OF CIRCUS
Students practice the basic motor skills and the basics of circus. Performing skills develop through role playing exercises and by combining circus tricks and story telling. The group has two shows, one in each semester.
60min/week
CIRCUS 3, AGES 9-10 ACROBATICS
Students practice acrobatics both together and solo: Pyramids, somersaults and cartwheels. Performing skills will also be practiced this year. The spring semester is finalized with the final acrobatic show.
90min/week
CIRCUS 4, AGES 10-11 CIRCUS DISCIPLINES
Students get to know a variety of circus disciplines. The group practices acrobatics, aerial acrobatics, balancing, juggling and the basics of improvisation. This group has two practices per week, and the spring semester ends with a performance.
90min + 60min /week
CIRCUS 5, AGES 11-12 TRADITIONAL CIRCUS
Students practice traditional circus, performing skills, acrobatics, aerial acrobatics, balancing and juggling. The final show consists of solos in the style of traditional circus. The group has two practices per week.
90min + 60min /week
CIRCUS 6, AGES 12-13 OWN DISCIPLINE
The group lessons include acrobatics, a variety of circus disciplines and performing skills. Each student chooses one discipline and attends a specialized training group according to it. This year’s performance includes everyone’s solo work, combining learned circus tricks to creative movement.
90min + 90min /week
CIRCUS 7, AGES 13-14 CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS
The group lessons focus on performing in a group, practicing the group circus disciplines and preparing a contemporary circus show from the basis of the group’s own ideas. One’s own discipline is practiced in a specialized training group.
90min + 90min /week
CIRCUS 8, AGES 14-15 CIRCUS SOLO
Students create their own circus solos during the year. Everyone gets to show their skills in their chosen discipline. The final show is based on a written story, which will be studied and interpreted by the group. One’s own discipline is practiced in a specialized training group.
120min+90min/week
​CIRCUS 9, AGES 15-16 EXPERIMENTING WITH CIRCUS
During the year, students deepen their own circus expression. Classes focus on exploring, practicing, and inventing new ways to approach each student's chosen circus discipline. Two demo performances will be created during the year, each based on different artistic starting points.
90min+90min/week
CIRCUS 10, AGES 16-17 FINAL PRODUCTION
The final production at Esko takes one and a half years to complete. During this time, students focus on their main discipline and stage presence, working in collaboration with the theatre’s final-year students. The final production is a large, multidisciplinary performance created together with theatre.
180min+90min/week
CIRCUS 11, AGES 17-18 DIVERSE CIRCUS
For half a year, the group trains across a wide range of circus disciplines and explores different ways of presenting circus. The training culminates in demo performances created by the students themselves.
90min+90min/week
ADULTS
Esko offers a circus skills group and a group specializing in aerial acrobatics for adults. The focus in both groups is on developing each participant’s individual skills and learning new things together in a supportive atmosphere, led by a professional teacher.
Performance skills are also practiced, and a show is created at the end of the year based on the group’s wishes. No previous experience is required to join.
KEIKKARYHMÄ
ESKO'S PERFORMANCE GROUP
Esko’s performance group is open to all students aged 12 and over and is taken in addition to regular classes. The group meets weekly, and performances are arranged several times a year depending on demand. In the performance group, students get to practice group circus acts and floor-based disciplines in a fun environment while gaining valuable stage experience. Ask your own teacher for more information about signing up.