Circus in Performance- the UK's premier full time circus foundation course, a twelve-week intensive qualification in circus skills for adults. Accredited by the Open College Network to level 3, Greentop has been successfully running the course since 1996.
The 2012 full time circus skills foundation course will run from mid January to mid April 2012
*STOP PRESS- we are still accepting late applications for reserves- to apply, you MUST complete an application form and email this with photos and a link to any video clips (eg on You Tube) that you think would help us assess your suitability for the course.*
Download the Course Prospectus here
Download the Full Time Circus Course 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 is 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 performance and 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"
Frequently asked questions:
How to apply after the audition date? You should complete an application form and email this with photos and a link to any video clips (eg on You Tube) that you think would help us assess your suitability for the course.
When are the next course dates? The course runs from January to April every year. Exact details of dates and fees will be confirmed throughout the year, once confirmed, the full prospectus for the next year will be updated and posted online on this page. Please check this page for updates.
What are the fees? The fees for the course will be confirmed in the prospectus, for 2012 they will be £2,000
Do I have to have existing circus experience? Previous circus skills and experience are not a pre-requisite for acceptance on the course.
Is help available with the course fees? Later in the year we will post online a help sheet with some potential sources if funding, however these are limited and competitive. You can contact your local Business Link or Arts Council regional office for information, or try www.fundingcentral.org and www.studentcashpoint.co.uk
Is help available with accommodation? Greentop does not have its own accommodation for learners, however Sheffield has the largest circus community outside London and Bristol, and within the Greentop and circus communities there are a number of people who regularly rent out rooms to our CiP students, and once students are accepted onto the course we try to help out with searching for somewhere to stay.
What is the audition? What happens at the audition? We hold one audition day each year, in 2011 this was 3rd October. For students who cannot attend due to living overseas, or who apply later in the year, we make alternate arrangements. The audition consists of a series of games and group exercises. You are not asked to perform a solo piece, and we are not assessing prior circus skills. This lasts a couple of hours, after which we have a brief informal interview with each applicant in turn.
Will you run the course again later in the year? The course only runs once a year, from January to April. Due to the other demands on our training space, we are currently unable to run the course a second time within the year.
Apply for the 2012 course here
