The Circus Village 2023 will have 3 main programme focuses available to the applicants, supported and encouraged by a professional creative team from across all reaches of the circus world.
These are:
Welsh Youth & Community Focus
10-12 March
As the hosting country for the village, the initial focus will be geared specifically towards young people and community participants within the Welsh Circus community and developing the needs and skills of those in it. This will involve a 3-day period for young people and organisations working with young people, followed by a second 3-day period for community participants and non-professional artists looking to develop technical, teaching and performance skills. There will be valuable opportunities throughout both periods for everyone to learn, develop, collaborate and grow. Elements of the programme will be delivered bilingually and there will be opportunity to create work in the Welsh language.
Who is it for?
This Welsh focus will be exclusively for Wales-based artists, community participants and group leaders or teachers regardless of skill or discipline. Young people must be no younger than 12 years of age, and people under the age of 18 must come as part of an organised group or with an appropriate guardian.
Applicants from outside Wales are welcome to apply to any of the other programme focuses. Professional applicants from Wales are also welcome to apply for any of the other programme focuses.
Teaching & Training
13-15 March
For both experienced teachers and trainers, as well as those wishing to transition into teaching, we will facilitate a sharing of knowledge and skills throughout the sector in an open and fun environment. Focussing on achieving best practice through tips, techniques and a range of masterclasses from specialists in different areas of circus teaching, there will be something for everybody. Alongside developing the technical skills, we will also explore ways of drawing out the artistry, working out how we can best create opportunities to inspire students and improve creativity in circus classes.
Special consideration will be given to exploring the issues around increasing diversity and inclusivity within our programmes, as well as how to adjust our focus when inspiring and engaging with young people.
Who is it for?
Experienced teachers and trainers and those wishing to transition into teaching.
Challenging Your Creative Practice & Professional Development
This is the substantial strand of the programme and an opportunity to energise and engage with our artistic selves. Working in small groups over 3 or 6-day intensive residencies with different directors and practitioners we will inspire ideas within ourselves and each other.
With provocateurs and facilitators from a wide range of different backgrounds with different skill sets, we will focus on the breadth of our performative and technical abilities. Outside of the timetabled sessions, there will be plenty of time built into each day to train together and try things out.
Challenging Your Creative Practice & Professional Development strands include:
- Choreography of the Circus Body (17-19 March)
- Residency with a Director (17-19 March; 20-22 March)
- Creative Rigging (20-22 March)
- Experimental Circus (20-22 March)
- Stage Craft & Performance (24-26 March)
- Developing Your Own Idea (24-26 March; 27-29 March)
- Performance Protest (31 March – 2 April)
- Working Outdoors (31 March – 2 April)
Who is it for?
Professional, established, emerging and mid-career performing circus artists and practitioners.
