Virtual AYCOfest 2021: Full Schedule

Check out the "Announcements" tab for lots of interesting and important event-related info!

Please note: YOU MUST PURCHASE A TICKET IN ORDER TO SIGN UP FOR SESSIONS. Purchase tickets here! (You will be sent an email invitation to the Sched within 24 hrs of purchasing your ticket.)

8:00am EDT

Scavenger Hunt

Sign up for the Scavenger Hunt here to see the challenge items: http://scavr.app/join/W5oAM1g2Grp5VxYb1Eb6
Download the Scavr app to upload your answers to the challenge items when it begins at 8am Eastern Time Saturday April 17th! The Hunt ends at 5.30pm Eastern Time on Sunday, April 18th and the first-place winner will be announced on Sunday at 6pm ET. (The highest number of points, or a random draw if there is a tie.) We have a really cool juggling prize picked out for you!

Welcome to the 2021 Hup Squad Scavenger Hunt, we’re so glad that you are joining us! The Hup Squad is a group of circus obsessed teens who write articles and curates social media content for AYCO. We can’t wait to see you at our first ever scavenger hunt, and we hope you enjoy this event!

Get ready, because this scavenger hunt is going to be a really fun way to make new circus friends from around the country and share about yourself with fellow circus youth! Come ready to think fast and be sure to have a device with the Scavr app downloaded handy.

At the beginning of the scavenger hunt, you’ll be given a list of items and tasks. Your job is to complete as many challenges and find as many items as possible during the entirety of the AYCO Fest. We encourage you to complete the bonus questions, but they are completely optional, so no sweat if you don’t get to them. You can work on the scavenger hunt throughout the whole weekend but it will take around half an hour to complete in total. You’ll share your photos and answers with your fellow circusing-scavenger hunters using Scavr.

Saturday April 17, 2021 8:00am - Sunday April 18, 2021 6:00pm EDT
Ongoing

8:00am EDT

Showcase Gallery

Since we’ll be hanging out together virtually, we still wanted to create space to cheer one another on! Check out our special collection of youth circus performance videos here:
https://americanyouthcircus.org/2021-ayco-festival-showcase/

Saturday April 17, 2021 8:00am - Sunday April 18, 2021 6:00pm EDT
Ongoing

12:00pm EDT

Couch Surfing

Limited Capacity filling up

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/di3fC8xz-8Z425mNHjfhMmNWRi7HKsg0kQCgkG0Wx82QPRUS1smecVX_uZysbh4C.mjX8TZgh-dU3MVhl
Access Passcode: jB95s=UU

Sitting? In chairs? Pfft. Boring. In this workshop we'll explore fun, inventive, and safe ways of transferring our basic ground acrobatic skills such as forward & backward rolls/shoulder rolls and cartwheels to our living room furniture. This workshop will have material for students at every level, with trick progressions and even choreography. All you need is to clear some space in front and on at least one side of something soft like a couch, arm chair, or bed. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Katie Schmidt

Youth & Teen Program Director, NECCA

Katie Schmidt has been an aerialist since 2002 and been teaching since 2009. She began her circus adventure at Canopy Studio in Athens, Georgia at the age of 11, where she trained and later shadowed to become a teacher under Susan Murphy. As Canopy is a dance/single point trapeze... Read More →

Saturday April 17, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Firetoys Room

12:00pm EDT

Flexibility Training for Ground and Aerial

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/twWFR28UaGn2nn4Qx27WckgAjZDGrMekmhTTRTAOtA1k6GBjcfXAdce5fHiovEAK.h2yUqs4Ld3nBLGmu
Access Passcode: f6AkW&#v

Flexibility Training 101 1. We will cover topics of designing a warm up custom to your own bendiness, conditioning, breathing, and executing contortion elements or "tricks" with proper technique. 2. Students will leave getting a new perspective on how to self care when warming up and training, some practical application to new stretches, and helpful flexibility tips on accomplishing new elements for the ground or in the air. 3. This workshop is designed for students of any age. It is recommended children are at least 8/9 years of age in order to work independently. 4. Activities involved include a thorough warmup with conditioning, use of equipment such as yoga blocks, yoga mats, golf/lacrosse balls, folding chairs; a thorough breakdown of bending safety; guided training through skills and elements being covered; Elements or "tricks" that will be focused on include bridges, handstands, elbowstands, cheststands, upper back/ shoulder stretches, hips and hamstrings, splits. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Katarina Danks

Saturday April 17, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Front Row Room

12:00pm EDT

From Youth Circus to Professional Performance (Panel)

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/ffpzxse-C5MxZRSCXY3DlxzXFvoYeeHbkTKJjbiHD-kFkql4wODRcm3lMEftz2Vs.soya5j9EPigfx0cx
Access Passcode: vWV%1pZS

Hear from six former youth circus students who have become professional performers with companies like Cirque du Soleil and 7 Fingers. Find out about the day-to-day life of a pro and what the journey was like to get there, and hear advice these artists have for young aspiring performers! This session will also include the chance to ask questions of the panelists! This session will be recorded!

Moderators

Tara Jacob

Tara is the Executive Director of AYCO/ACE and a circus instructor at SHOW Circus Studio in Massachusetts. She loves being upside-down and everything about circus, especially the people!

Session Leaders

Kia Eastman

Tristan Nielsen

Spencer Mathey

My name is Spencer Mathey and I am a third generation circus performer. My grandfather, grandmother, mother, father, aunt, uncle, and sister all had a passion for the circus arts and actually all performed in the same circus over the years. My passion for performing and acrobatics... Read More →

Ariana Ferber-Carter

Kerren McKeeman

Melvin Diggs

Saturday April 17, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
AYCO Room

2:00pm EDT

Dance for Acrobats and Aerialists

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/Gv8vXNYzGeVgauc-NYw4HC2yxj5wMs4gdl04EaAW3tOpZq5RoWhL0PDI47LMBUMu.QhPM-lLCNpeU2XKJ
Access Passcode: hi.FM1k%

Unsure how to move on the ground? Feel stiff? We will explore how to find fluidity and give you tools to continue that exploration. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Caroline Calouche

Director, Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center/Caroline Calouche & Co

Caroline's dancing roots began in the small town of Gastonia, North Carolina (12 miles outside Charlotte) and branched out Texas Christian University for two BFA degrees in Ballet and Modern Dance. From there she studied in Europe in Rome, Brussels and then completed a postgraduate... Read More →

Saturday April 17, 2021 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
AYCO Room

2:00pm EDT

Intermediate Contortion Tricks and Techniques

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/pZ-6CA3NWAzug2YHEc4nMcFcEy2X0K2dKLk2uE2dUPhCks-gS0AVaCPDr9jvvg3s.7iPJHsOq3xxd9QWk
Access Passcode: hui$yT%6

This class will be targeted towards intermediate level contortionists who are interested in learning some new tricks and techniques. You should be able to do:
- A backbend and hold one leg up in the air for at least ten seconds.
- At least 1 split (right or left)
- You should be comfortable attempting a chinstand. (Your feet do not have to touch the floor)

The class will start with a basic contortion warm up. You will do some introductory stretches that you may already know, but learn some tips to take that stretch to the next level. After the warm up, we will do some contortion tricks. These tricks will start simple and gradually get harder. Don't worry though, there will be a modified version of each trick!

As we go along, you will learn techniques within basic tricks that will help you take that trick a step further. For example: you can do a chin stand, but have you ever had people stack up on that chinstand? (Although many of us cannot touch each other at the moment, learning how to control our bodies now will help us work with each other in the future.) The hardest trick we will work on will be contortion handstands - there is so much you can do with them, no matter what level you are. At the very end of class, we will finish off with some conditioning because strength is a necessity in contortion! This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Sabrina Skaggs

Circus Harmony

I am a St.Louis Arch with Circus Harmony. I have been in the Arches for about 3 years now, and I have been doing circus for about 6 years. The St.Louis Arches is the performance troupe at Circus Harmony; and with the Arches I get opportunities to perform year round, teach many different... Read More →

Lyla Lawless

My name is Lyla Lawless and I’m 9 years old.I’ve been in Circus Harmony for 2 years. I have been mainly focusing on contortion and partner acrobatics.Right before quarantine started, I became a St.Louis Arch.

Madeleine Trotier

Coach, Circus Harmony

Saturday April 17, 2021 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Front Row Room

2:00pm EDT

Learning Five Ball Jugging

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/aAc43e_FwjaJEIdW1I5xBxNepqXjjqmaV9DXfgyeS7Ll0CKhoJ9NokMWuCo4lb2m.h5Na_wEcqa93CVG9
Access Passcode: .ZUWF2E+

In this session, you will learn the basics of five-ball juggling such as: learning what a clean pattern looks like, how to get started, a three-ball juggling warm-up, and some awesome four-ball exercises for learning five! For this session, you will need a few things. First, you will need space and (of course) ceiling height, second, you will need five juggling balls, and third, you will need to know how to juggle three and four balls confidently. You will leave this session with all the knowledge you need to juggle five balls. If you are a juggler who is looking to improve and take the next step and really wow everyone, this is the session for you! This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Sean Petric

Hello, my name is Sean Petric. I am 18 years old, and a member of Circus Harmony. My specialty is juggling, and I have been performing it for 5 years! I fell in love with juggling when my friend showed me how to do it and I took off from there. I have performed hundreds of shows with... Read More →

Saturday April 17, 2021 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Firetoys Room

4:00pm EDT

Anna and Finn’s 100 Down Chaos Conditioning

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/dUsAy-u8JpdwwPwmgGdHsn5YgYmXPiCj1nlJIbBPIAxPYboqeZsOcMPOSFcSJozD.HZfdSRIwg34SHKC1
Access Passcode: 1d&.*Nhq

Anna and Finn’s 100 Down Chaos Conditioning is a fun and challenging conditioning routine that we developed over the course of the pandemic through something we call "power partners" (essentially students keeping other students accountable for working out). This class is designed for people who enjoy to push themselves physically and also want to have a fun time while doing it.

The routine is a a ladder of conditioning exercises starting at 100 and going down to 1. We begin by going down in the number of reps by 10 until we reach 10, and then we go down by 1 for each exercise. Every exercise is different and we cover all the parts of the body. The exercises range in difficulty so be prepared to do up to 100 reps of semi-hard exercises and then a lower number of reps of exercises with a higher difficulty. This class requires the students to have space to move around as there will be some cardio movements that may be hard to perform in small spaces, and also a wall (recommended) for a handstand hold. We hope that people will leave the class with a new way to workout that is both effective and fun. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Finn McNamee

Circus Harmony

My name is Finn McNamee I am 16 years old, a Junior, and a student representing Circus Harmony. I have been training at Circus Harmony since I was 5 and have been part of the professional troupe, The Saint Louis Arches, for 7 years. I have also have previous experience teaching ranging... Read More →

Anna Layher

Circus Harmony

Since then, I have been trying to improve my juggling,unicycling and handstand skills.

Elliana Hentoff-Killian (Session Assistant)

Lead Coach, Circus Harmony

Saturday April 17, 2021 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Firetoys Room

4:00pm EDT

Aerial Rigging: Cautionary Tales and Red Flags

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/BoihARvZMAyvTrnEMNhXbqfONbu1_XdRcXaIvtYzBgCLkRHKHUaTzI1tyIE2sbc-.bpUj79mA6hmCGgnf
Access Passcode: QshhJ3a=

This class will teach you some very basic fundamentals of aerial rigging. While it will NOT teach you how to design and configure your own rigging systems from scratch, it WILL teach you how to recognize some common dangers, mistakes, and red flags that could be indicators of unsafe rigging.
This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Craig Lewis

Owner, Night Owl Circus Arts LLC

Craig Lewis was first introduced to aerial arts through the juggling community in 2010 at San Francisco Circus Center, and went on to pursue further aerial training at Aerial Space in Asheville, and the East Tennessee State University Aerial Dance Program. In 2013, he founded Night... Read More →

Saturday April 17, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Front Row Room

4:00pm EDT

Circademics of the Future

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/sl84_BIMhmxJAzQtldvbMZVdpRapZVxnv1THHuVCyDCz8LU4y-ZTmoU8U0mTD1MU.pAifatn3iHrNp5eJ
Access Passcode: +Gg0z!Jb

CALLING ALL circus leaders, readers and writers: What does your circus community need? And how can we help you get it? Tune in to this panel of Circus Doctors, Circus Bloggers and Circus Scholars for ideas and conversation on how we can carry our circus lives into a college education, an uplifting profession, and other acts of service in our communities. This session will be recorded!

shared resources:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ogc-b4cQ8XB0Fe8VhvD2zLrn_xGBm3Sa?usp=sharing

Moderators

James Green

Founder, Cirque In Progress

James is the founder of Cirque In Progress, a fledgling Social Circus Theater company. He studied physical theater with the Dell’Arte School, and received his Theater of the Oppressed facilitator training from the Mandala Center for Change, in Port Townsend, WA.

Session Leaders

Lottie Byram

Cofounder & Codirector, Circus District

Lottie Byram: (She/Her) Cofounder of Circus District in Washington DC and an entrepreneurship program manager at the University of Maryland, Lottie is focused on improving how circus organizations function internally and how they are perceived externally. While fire poi spinning is... Read More →

Meredith Gordon

Founding member of Ha!, Humorology Atlanta, Drive Forward

Meredith Gordon: (He/His), Meredith Gordon is a clown, actor, and musician. Meredith fell in love with theater and circus at an early age. He taught himself to juggle as a teenager and developed a passion for theater as a college student. Over the past 30 years, Meredith has trained... Read More →

Ante Ursic

Ante Ursić is a circus pratictioner and PhD candidate at the University of California, Davis. His dissertation investigates human-animal relationships in contemporary circus. He is especially interested in the aesthetic-political sphere and explores how it relates to different... Read More →

Althea Young

Althea Young: (She/Hers) Althea Young is a Glasgow based contemporary performer and former circus artist. She has performed with various circus collectives including Acrosanct, Flynn Creek Circus, Acrobatic Conundrum, and Alter Circus. She was also AYCO’s first Youth Leadership... Read More →

Saturday April 17, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Circus Talk Room

5:00pm EDT

Intermediate Diabolo Workshop

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/-bBPuX5Uv1TYFgzEJmlhCGhtF1BkZQSYTnEP8RO6jCA5QEXTKyY06Cdqs-m5_7HX.3HXdXs3qPYumTCde
Access Passcode: ?aGaRET9

This workshop is for intermediate diabolo students who can already do 1. Darkside 2. jump rope 3. Cats cradle. In this workshop students will learn new diabolo tricks like 1. Excalibur 2. different variations of whip-catch 3. infinity loop. I will be showing the trick and teaching it to the students. i can also help with other tricks if they would like. You will leave this class with new tricks and new approaches to your diabolo act. At the end of the class you can put together a short sequence of the tricks you learned and show them to the rest of the class if you would like. participants need to come to class with a Diabolo and sticks and need space to do the tricks we will be working on. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Ethan Ryan

Circus Harmony

I have been in circus for 6 years now and I've been apart of Circus Harmony's elite troop the St. Louis Arches for 2 years now, I have performed with several circus including, Circus Flora, Circus Circuli, and the National Circus school of Puerto Rico. I also appeared on the nationally... Read More →

Saturday April 17, 2021 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT
Firetoys Room

5:00pm EDT

Hangout

Join your peers to talk about what you learned that day and connect with other youth circus artists from around the country!

Session Leaders

Carleigh Saberton

My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus

Hey i'm Carleigh, i'm 17 and i'm a Junior at Highlands High School in northern Kentucky. I've been doing circus for almost 7 years and my favorite things to do are german wheel and aerial silks or lyra! I am a student and coach at My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus and i'm a 3rd year... Read More →

Saturday April 17, 2021 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
AYCO Room

12:00pm EDT

Advanced Beginner to Intermediate Unicycle Class

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/b6w_2QWHTDqy4TI7i6JZIbnIDU0oSSvLTl0dW4b1CMRrOdePeomUckR76StgHIGx.CcIyKNzogzAFHmpr
Access Passcode: S!3c7PTR

To take this class, you must have a unicycle and room to ride! To take this class, you must be able to ride, free-mount a unicycle, and idle. The tricks we will cover will depend on the attendees skill level. Some tricks we could help with are: hopping/jumping, one-foot idling, picking up props, juggling, wheel-walking. If you have a partner, we can teach you tricks like pinwheels, slaloms/weaving, train, and more. We can also help with solo/duo/group act creation or help you with an act that you may already have. We hope that you will enjoy this class and enjoy riding unicycle! This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Dennis Bailey

Circus Harmony

We are the Bailey brothers, Dennis and Eliot, and we have been in circus for 8 1/2 years. We are students at Circus Harmony and we train and perform at the City Museum which is where Circus Harmony is located. We've been a part of Circus Harmony's elite troupe the St. Louis Arches... Read More →

Eliot Bailey

Circus Harmony

Sunday April 18, 2021 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Circus Talk Room

12:00pm EDT

Circus Games on Zoom

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/kxczzy-v3KPObqG1C8Z68EFhUolUHA1TjiPytnOrcClQAR8d2eRZOLLTI_ehI1WX.qSuDDqvX4Fm-QI7e
Access Passcode: +f9B#R&j

Come learn games created or adapted for virtual classes. We will go over how to facilitate and play ice breaker, warm up, movement, clown, and cool down games while together apart on Zoom. Bring a favorite game to share and come ready to play! Circus students and instructors of all ages and experiences welcome to join in the fun. Please have 1-2 juggling scarves or plastic shopping bags on hand for one of our games. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Polly Solomon

Founder, Polaris Circus Arts / YACAMP

Polly Solomon is a teaching and performing circus artist based in NYC. She teaches circus in school, after-school, camp, studio, and theatrical and circus production settings. Polly has directed shows nationally for the American Youth Circus Organization including shows presented... Read More →

Sunday April 18, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Firetoys Room

12:00pm EDT

Create Your Own Work

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/1Zpii6hReMada3iLlA8GQtMTKRZ6yB0030GdeFV122TzlauxS1kNo_Z2GAKqxBVJ.XDFO17hhoksODuZt
Access Passcode: =@4qw16T

This workshop is an all-levels guide to producing your own work, whether you're working on an act or a show! Everyone can do it!

Topics covered in the workshop:
1. Introductions - who we are and what we make
2. Exploring what kind of work participants want to make and who their audience is. Look at samples and do brainstorming.
3. Consider what the needs of the project are.
4. Make a calendar for their project. Work from the deadline backwards.
5. Consider artistic plan: how to make it cohesive, achieve artistic goals, communicate central message.
6. Technical tips: go over some basic tips and best practices for producing online content.
7. How to share their work: marketing through social media, plan for launching their project, reflective process for project.

Participants will leave with a basic plan for producing a project of their choice. They will gain insight into other creators' experiences and common pitfalls. They will leave inspired and prepared to create more circus! This is a great workshop for people who want to create and produce new work, regardless of their prior experience. Beginners will leave able to tackle their first project. Seasoned creators will leave with a wider knowledge of others' experiences and tools for improving their processes. This workshop will include discussion, presentation, hands-on planning, and interactions between participants and presenters. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Rachel Ostrow

Rachel Ostrow started doing circus arts at the age of five, transitioned to mostly Junior Olympic Gymnastics, but became more serious about circus around four years ago. Now, she is in the San Francisco Youth Circus where she trains and performs a variety of apparatuses including... Read More →

Felicity Hesed (Session Assistant)

Youth Program Director, Circus Center

Sunday April 18, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
AYCO Room

12:00pm EDT

Juggling and Partner Juggling

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/VVD0JLHJDVe87UhD_qad5xp9kUtBqyHLcV1q0FuX3SZoj3nALQW9kXhocQar56p5.tnYOLe4VRr9wdTrd
Access Passcode: $ng@Xf8F

In this workshop, we will work on improving your juggling skills. Don't know how to juggle yet? That's fine! Come learn! This workshop is also designed for those who can already juggle and want to learn some new skills/sequences! Come learn how to juggle on your back, juggle with a friend, and lots more! Please bring any juggling toys or equipment you have (tennis balls, hackey sacks, beanbags, clubs, etc). This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Eva Rowland

Eva Rowland has been teaching for just under three years along with many years of training. She teaches aerial acrobatics, tumbling, juggling, handstands, etc. Gainesville Florida is her place of residence and she loves the circus! She workes at Gainesville Circus Center and can't... Read More →

Sunday April 18, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Front Row Room

1:00pm EDT

Circus Hula Hoop Tricks for Beginners

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/PGCzea3rWyGGaVYASq5MDuph6l03oBf7J65KnErpK8g5tR08PdlGunveufSKCnnb.BdIvgGQ61_xoT7bY

Access Passcode: PU+Ah3#C

In this session, we will cover some of the most simple and basic hula hoop tricks for beginner hula hoopers. This workshop is for beginner hula hoopers who are wanting to learn how to hula hoop and also learn some actual tricks. If you are willing to learn, this is the class for you! The session will start with a warm-up preparing the body parts we will use in the class. Following that, you will learn how to hula hoop! If you already know how to hoop, I will get you started on some tricks. The tricks we will cover include: circus start, around the world, jacket, and more.

This is a session for beginners, so you are not expected you to know anything before you come There are only three requirements for this class:
1) You need to have a hula hoop to participate
2) Room to hoop
3) Willingness to learn!

This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Madeline Wenger

Circus Harmony

My name is Madeline Wenger or Maddie. I live in St. Louis MO and am 14 years old. I go to school at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in Ferguson MO, and I am in the 8th grade. I have been a student at Circus Harmony since August of 2016. I fell in love with circus and started taking a variety... Read More →

Elliana Hentoff-Killian (Session Assistant)

Lead Coach, Circus Harmony

Sunday April 18, 2021 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Circus Talk Room

2:00pm EDT

Juggling with Everyday Objects

Limited Capacity filling up

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/E43pgQ9rNTAjG3f3B8sNakpf1aLdMJL9DPpmu0gie_C8C6XZJmQCWTTStpGzVVNt.oTx6oyK2RCvYGuyI

Access Passcode: w1dRY^Yy

Topics include how to invent, explore, and create new and personalised forms of juggling from everyday objects. No previous juggling experience or ability is needed to participate. Students will leave with an ability to improvise playful juggling activities, which can be used to further develop narrative based act creation or simply to make the activity more fun and accessible. Activities include creating, exploring, and sharing of improvised juggling environments and reflecting upon the process which is used. No specific equipment is needed for participation, except for a minimum of one ball, which is capable of being thrown or rolled. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Craig Quat

all of them, Quat Props

Craig Quat is a renowned theorist and practitioner of inclusive social circus pedagogy. He investigates the properties of juggling and searches for ways to make it more accessible to more people. In attempting to do so he created a discipline known as Functional Juggling, which formulates... Read More →

Sunday April 18, 2021 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Front Row Room

2:00pm EDT

So, You Want to Be a Circus Director?

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/7EMqNpu09YiOhhdwDalYm9yWolBIesdVTz--Ier3eU0elzrCrtRdgFyoFix5_RpR.OEgSh9C9Ea-DXrXF
Access Passcode: e8D1J.%G

This session is for teenagers and young adults interested in directing circuses or circus acts. It will be an informal exchange of ideas and experiences, but will also include some “on the spot” assignments in which participants have to fulfill some creation and planning challenges which they will share with others in the group.

We will explore some basic questions, like: “Why does a circus need a director?”, “What does a circus director do?”, “”What is different about directing circus and directing theater?”, “What kind of preparation is involved in directing a circus?”, “What skills do you need to direct a circus?”, and “How do you make a rehearsal schedule that works?” Participants can come with specific ideas for circus acts or shows that you would like to direct, or just come with an open mind if you think you may be interested in seeing circus from the director’s point of view. We will talk, try some goofy directorial challenges, listen, respond, and generally reflect on what it takes to create a circus from the ground up.

Ages 12 and up. College students and adults welcome. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Dic Wheeler

Executive Director, ARTFARM

Dic is a circus director, performer, teacher and creator. He is the Executive Artistic Director of Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, and is director and performer in ARTFARM's "Circus for a Fragile Planet" and "Isaac Newton's Little Apple Circus". He has been doing circus stuff... Read More →

Sunday April 18, 2021 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Firetoys Room

4:00pm EDT

Balance That! Putting your Props in the Air and Keeping them There

Limited Capacity seats available

Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties we were unable to record this session - our apologies!

Learn the basics of balancing props on your body with this workshop designed to enhance and elevate your object manipulation skills. We’ll cover the mechanics of simple prop balancing, how to level up from hands to face, and work to develop balance transfers that add dynamism to your sequences. This workshop is suited for object manipulators of all levels, and particularly good for beginning jugglers who want to develop a secondary skill set that involves slightly less picking things up off the floor.

Whatever your level, you’ll leave with the tools and mindset to look at any object and think “I could put that on my nose.”

Please bring a plastic bag, and an assortment of props or objects to work with (a household broom is ideal).

Session Leaders

Marysia Kochac

Marysia Kochac’s circus career was kickstarted by a chance encounter with a set of juggling balls at age 8 and she’s been making objects (and herself) airborne ever since. She’s taught balance workshops at juggling festivals and clubs across the country, including at her home... Read More →

Sunday April 18, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Front Row Room

4:00pm EDT

Literally Physics

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/Vauu0ADSMqtV9SUTqOoND7NEzzOH_AF_sCUGIDg3B3sFNyekNTuLS1kAbmEuh8BO.2b4zoxZJMpTR5uFy
Access Passcode: #E1QTSZc

This workshop will introduce basic physics concepts including center of mass, torque, and moment of inertia, with a particular focus on how these concepts can be applied to teaching and adapting circus disciplines. This will be discussion- and concept-based. No background in Physics or Mathematics is necessary. The goal of the workshop is to show how certain laws and theories of physics can be used to teach and troubleshoot unfamiliar skills, to work out how balance points function mechanically, and how to spot mechanical problems in students' forms.

I have been teaching high school Physics for 6+ years, and once I started looking at my acrobatics practice with some basic physics in mind, I have found it much easier to conceptualize, learn, and troubleshoot certain new skills. I also use Physics to teach juggling technique (I know why students walk forward when they first learn to juggle). I am interested in how this could be applied in other arts as well, such as aerials, cyr wheel, etc.

Goal: After completing "Literally Physics," participants will have a basic understanding of how center of mass, torque, and moment of inertia apply to balance points and motion in circus arts, with an introduction to how to apply this knowledge to learning and teaching new arts. Specific techniques may be discussed, depending on the participants' background and interests.

This session will be recorded!

Links we will be using:CoM Inquiry: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HA879oUkwFXQtJy_y0LxKaYTS0NZb9mwJmBRhIKvCxA
C.o.M. partner balance example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEBqg4CHjQM
Moment of Inertia demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POHD6GRoZEI
M.o.I. spinning example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQLtcEAG9v0

Session Leaders

Michael Smith

Michael "MJ" Smith taught juggling for 14 years with the Great Y Circus in Redlands and 2 years with Kinetic Theory in Los Angeles. He is currently a distance-learning high school Physics, Math, and Science teacher. Somewhere in there is a decade+ of partner and group acrobatic experience... Read More →

Literally Physics COM Inquiry Lab pdf

Sunday April 18, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Firetoys Room

4:00pm EDT

Trick Training for Dogs

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/9uV6mpMGpg30ULhLDK6X_0oWsKQRBtOkwIi-qD956_DmxV65HvciIjp7uLwuXtum.EVd5z5EYAUBUxQG-
Access Passcode: KRXq3h%w

Does your canine companion want to run away and join the circus with you? Trick Training for Dogs is for both of you! This workshop will be an introductory class in trick training for dogs- which really means training their humans! It is helpful if your dog can already sit, stay, and come. Please bring a hula hoop, chopped chicken, cheese,hotdog or some other very special treat for your dog. You and your canine partner will leave the session knowing how to do or keep working on at least three tricks: jumping through a hoop, weave, and spin. We will cover other tricks if time permits. This session is for young people who want to learn to work and communicate with their dogs as performance partners. While you can just watch this class, it is meant to be an interactive session for you and your dog to enjoy together. This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Jessica Hentoff

Artistic/Executive Director, Circus Harmony

Jessica Hentoff is the Artistic/Executive Director and Founder of the social circus school Circus Harmony. She has been teaching and performing circus arts for 47 years. Jessica is a founding member of both the Big Apple Circus in NYC and Circus Flora in St. Louis. Jessica has been... Read More →

Sunday April 18, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
AYCO Room

5:00pm EDT

Hangout

Join your peers to talk about what you learned that day and connect with other youth circus artists from around the country!

Session Leaders

Carleigh Saberton

My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus

Sunday April 18, 2021 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Circus Talk Room

5:15pm EDT

Family/ Partnering Acro Class

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/O4S6D_j-LJZX9q-mkoYrIGIQM8iQ43ksFK2_NYNOodM-Z_5W8fuSDKuPvNAX2ytx.MsdfM1VpOLjYz16K
Access Passcode: Ch!b#97*

Acro for the whole family! Parents and children between the ages of 3-10 will learn how to work together playing acrobatic games, creating acrobatic shapes, problem solving, and deepening bonds - all while gaining strength and flexibility together in a safe, fun environment. This special workshop uses a themes to unify the session and at the end we string it all together! This session will be recorded!

Session Leaders

Yoni Kallai

The Muse Brooklyn

Yoni Kallai started doing acrobalance in a beginners workshop in Israel, while studying at The Hebrew University. This started out as a hobby that quickly became a primary occupation. He found himself teaching people tricks and showing them that they can do more than they think all... Read More →

Angela Butch

Angela has performed nationally and internationally for 30 years with many companies. She is a flyer for both ground acrobatics and aerial arts. She also specializes in dance , swaypole, perch pole, harness dance , partner acrobatics , bullwhip, fire, bottle walking and clowning... Read More →

Sunday April 18, 2021 5:15pm - 6:00pm EDT
Firetoys Room

5:30pm EDT

YACAMP and Mini Webinar: Getting Ready to go Pro

Limited Capacity seats available

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/x2L8eZxgdWgeWCy1sAGkMzY88YgoDFVuPwbMNs8q36jIB7x58g_5m-Z0bwU3-U4.fuzUgrJ2KNzmX-Gj
Access Passcode: 28u*!G9t

Young Adult Circus Artist, Youth Circus Artists looking to the future, Circus Parents, and Circus Program Leaders and Coaches are all welcome to come learn what YACAMP has to offer through a mini webinar on Getting Ready to go Pro. Our mission statement: The Young Adult Circus Arts Mentorship Program will prepare young adults ages 18-26 for careers as circus performing artists by providing artistic and professional guidance, enabling participants to build the tools needed to present themselves as professionals in the field, and fostering a community of collaboration for young adults building their art and career. To learn more visit: https://circusmentor.com/

Join this link for the session: https://zoom.us/j/98473603059

Session Leaders

Polly Solomon

Founder, Polaris Circus Arts / YACAMP

Sunday April 18, 2021 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Front Row Room

6:00pm EDT

Circus History and Trivia Competition

Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/vrqZcgVULJSsFXa5oihQ-PWVxNMTMvsIdPxJyPxHh8gy_fat4FLSNWDC1aX90ZAg.EL52Z2pxJaoI43FB
Access Passcode: jB95s=UU

Test your circus history knowledge and learn weird and wonderful facts! Youth host Lyra Gross (Hup Squad member) will present questions concocted by our four circus history masters: Veronica Blair, Hovey Burgess, Judy Finelli, and Thom Wall. After attendees register their best guesses, history whizzes will reveal the answers to questions tricky and silly alike, sharing details and did-you-knows about fascinating circus performers and acts of yore!

Moderators

Lyra Gross

Le Petite Cirque

Session Leaders

Thom Wall

Modern Vaudeville Press

Thom Wall is a juggler and author originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He has written books on ancient juggling history as well as contemporary juggling techniques, and was awarded "La Medalla Crotaluz Scholaris" by La Universidad Mesoamericana in Puebla, Mexico for his work as a... Read More →

Judith Finelli

Coach, Prescott Circus Theater

Judy Finelli co-founded the San Francisco School for Circus Arts (now Circus Center) in 1984. She was the Artistic Director of the Pickle Family Circus 1987-1990. She received a BFA in Theatre, Film and Television from NYU School of the Arts in 1970. She was the photographer for Circus... Read More →

Veronica Blair

Uncle Junior Project / Circus Center

20 years of performance experience, 15 years teaching experience, 10 research and development of the Uncle Junior Project.

Hovey Burgess

Sunday April 18, 2021 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
AYCO Room