Why Training More Often and with More Variety Matters for Young Circus Artists
Circus arts are growing rapidly across the country. More colleges now have circus clubs, and a few even offer minors or certificates in circus performance. From summer intensives and local showcases to professional post–high school programs, the opportunities are expanding and so are the expectations.
Auditions increasingly look for multidisciplinary performers, students who can show both depth in their main apparatus and a solid foundation across other skills. That means aerial students benefit from tumbling, flexibility, and hand balancing. Ground acrobats gain strength and artistry through aerial or object manipulation. Everyone grows through theatrical elements like clowning, stilt walking, and character work. Circus artists often excel in their primary discipline, but the most successful performers are also versatile. Those who train across multiple areas are more employable, in higher demand, and often stronger, more balanced, and less prone to injury.
At RICS we offer our new school-year youth program as one to two classes per week focused on each student’s main discipline for ages 9 and up. Younger students thrive in our general youth classes, which emphasize variety and foundation building.
To encourage well-rounded development, we also offer deeply discounted monthly mini sessions, short and affordable add-on classes for our enrolled youth (& adult!)members. Each session highlights different skills such as juggling, stilt walking, hooping, hand balancing, or partner acrobatics.
When age appropriate, we extend similar discounts on workshops with guest instructors. These special sessions allow students to train with professionals from diverse circus backgrounds, each bringing unique styles, methods, and insights. Exposure to multiple teaching approaches not only accelerates skill growth but also broadens creativity, adaptability, and artistic confidence, qualities that make strong performers.
Training regularly and across disciplines is not just about building tricks; it is about building understanding. Students learn to approach challenges from different angles, adjust to various coaching styles, and find their own artistic voices.
Whether your child’s goal is to perform, audition for college clubs, or simply explore the art of circus more deeply, consistent and varied training is the key to progress.
We are proud to provide a space where youth can explore widely, train seriously, and become the next generation of versatile, confident circus artists.
