CIRCUS THEATRE
TAITEEN PERUSOPETUS
Kun Eskon kaksi taiteenalaa, sirkus ja teatteri, yhdistyvät syntyy sirkusteatteri. Eskossa voi harrastaa siis molempia taiteen lajeja yhtä aikaa ja usein pienet oppilaat aloittavatkin opintonsa sirkusteatteriryhmästä. Sirkusteatteriopetus on kehitetty Eskossa ja sitä on tutkittu vuodesta 2016 lähtien.
Sirkusteatterissa yhdistyvät sirkuksen fyysisyys ja motoristen taitojen oppiminen teatterin vuorovaikutteisuuteen, tarinoihin ja tunneilmaisuun. Oppilas saa yhdellä opetustunnilla perehdytyksen molempien taiteenalojen perusteisiin. Tunneilla kokeillaan erilaisia sirkusvälineitä, tehdään akrobatiaa ja teatterileikkejä, sekä ilmaistaan itseään monissa satujen ja tarinoiden hahmoissa. Joka vuosi tehtävissä demoesityksissä taiteenalat yhdistyvät sulavasti monipuoliseksi esittäväksi taiteeksi. Sirkusteatteri toimii erityisen loistavasti lapsille, jotka haluavat kokeilla ja harrastaa montaa asiaa, mutta valintaa esimerkiksi sirkuksen ja teatterin välillä on vaikea tehdä.
Opettajina toimivat Eskon omat sirkus- ja/tai teatteriopettajat, jotka ovat perehtyneet asiaan. Eskossa kehitetään edelleen sirkusteatteriopetusta ja mietitään sen mahdollisuuksia. Opintojen loppuvaiheessa lopputyöntekijät (16-18 v) voivat halutessaan ottaa mukaan omaan ilmaisuunsa joko sirkuksen tai teatterin ilmaisukeinoja, sillä lopputyöesitykset toteutetaan sirkusteatterin keinoin. Tervetuloa esityksiin katsomaan, miltä sirkusteatteri näyttää!
TAITEEN PERUSPPETUS
SIRKUSTAIDE
CIRCUS THEATER
Circus theatre is the perfect blend of two art forms—and at Esko, you don’t have to choose just one. Many of our youngest students begin their artistic journey with circus theatre, a unique form of art we have been developing and studying since 2016.
In circus theatre, the physical training and motor skills of circus meet the storytelling, emotional skills, and interactivity of theatre. Students learn foundational skills in both art forms within one curriculum. Our classes include acrobatics, an introduction to circus equipment, theatre games, storytelling, character development, and self-expression.
Each spring term culminates in a performance that showcases the best of both worlds—a fun demonstrative show that combines circus and theatre. This art form is especially well-suited to children who are interested in both circus and theatre or who enjoy trying out multiple hobbies.
Our circus theatre instructors have an education in their own field and have also received additional training from Esko to teach this unique art form. We continuously develop our program to provide students with the best possible experience.
For students in our advanced studies, the final production offers an opportunity to explore further their creativeness and abilities and to create and perform a show with the perfect mixture of both art forms.
We warmly welcome you to experience circus theatre in action—follow the News and events page and come to see our show!
OVERVIEW - WHAT IS CIRCUS THEATRE?
YLEINEN OPPIMÄÄRÄ
SIRKUSTAIDE
GENERAL SYLLABUS
The general and advanced syllabi in basic education in the arts are both based on Finland’s national core curriculum. The main difference between the two is the number of hours included and the level of goal-orientation. The general syllabus includes 500 hours of education, while the advanced syllabus includes 1300 hours.
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At Esko, students complete the general syllabus for both art forms—circus and theatre—simultaneously (500 + 500 hours). This combination provides full experience and unique skills. Students gain basic skills in both art forms and can express themselves through both circus and theatre. This integration provides performances where circus and theatre are seamlessly intertwined.
While not diving as deep into circus or theatre skills as the advanced syllabus, the general syllabus provides the perfect foundation for multidisciplinary practice as an artist. These skills and the open-minded approach are valuable in all areas of life. Since circus theatre is a relatively new art form with only a short history and developing traditions, the teachers at Esko have the opportunity to develop and shape it further with their proficiency.
GENERAL SYLLABUS
PROGRESSION OF STUDIES
PROGRESSION OF STUDIES
At Esko, the first groups start at age 4 in our early childhood education syllabus (Sirkusteatteritenavat). From there, the students can continue into the general studies: Circus Theatre 1 (ages 7–8) and Circus Theatre 2 (ages 8–9). In the third year of basic studies, students may continue with both art forms or choose to focus on just one.
If a student chooses to continue with circus theatre, they will complete the general syllabus in basic education in the arts—more compact than the advanced syllabus.
(See the structure chart)
AGE GROUPS
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 AGES
IKÄRYHMÄT
CIRCUS THEATRE 1 (ages 7-8) - A DIVE INTO CIRCUS THEATRE
Students get to engage in the world of circus and theatre through plays and fairy tales. Somersault, bridge pose, acting out stories and getting into characters are a big part of the year. 60min/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 2 (Ages 8–9) – STORYTIME CIRCUS
During the second year students discover the basics of circus and theatre while working closely as a team. They devise their own stories and dive into the world of circus and theatre through their own stories. 60 min/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 3 (Ages 9–10) – BUILDING BLOCKS OF CIRCUS AND THEATRE
The focus of this year is acrobatics and storytelling. During the year the group rehearses one story in which circus tricks and characters merge into one complete performance.
1,5h/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 4 (Ages 10–11) – TECHNIQUES OF CIRCUS & THEATRE
Students practice the main techniques of circus and the basics of improvisation. They brainstorm, experiment and play with fun ideas and roles. The spring show is built on these learnt improv and circus techniques.
1,5h/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 5 (Ages 11–12) – ROLE-PLAYING IN THE TRADITIONAL CIRCUS
Students explore traditional circus from multiple angles. The students master circus skills, create characters and develop roles. Their spring show is a classic circus performance with colorful characters.
3h/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 6 (Ages 12–13) – A CIRCUS THEATRE PLAY
Students have a theatre script and they rehearse spoken dialogue on stage while combining circus into the dramatic situations and physical expression. The result is a play created entirely with circus-theatre techniques.
3h/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 7 (Ages 13–14) – CIRCUS THEATRE FROM THE GROUP’S POINT OF VIEW
Students rehearse dialogue and staging from a script and then explore how circus could enrich the scenes and physical movement. The spring show is developed solely through circus-theatre methods, shaped by the group’s ideas.
3h/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 8 (Ages 14–15) – EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES OF TWO ART FORMS
Students experiment with contemporary circus elements. They create a performance that combines everything learned during the year, allowing everyone to contribute in and try out both art forms.
3h/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 9 (Ages 15–16) – STUDENT’S OWN EXPERIMENTS
With the teacher’s guidance, the class dives deeper into contemporary circus elements. Student’s personal and group experiments turn into a spring show that lets each student express both circus and theatre within one complete piece.
3h/week
CIRCUS THEATRE 10 (Ages 16–17) – THE CIRCUS THEATRE SHOW
All the skills learned during the general syllabus of circus theatre converge in an impressive final production. It gives the audience an opportunity to peek into the group’s insights in blending the two art forms. The final production may be based on an existing script or it could be devised during the year from the group’s ideas.
3h/week
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