ARTFARM Welcomes Participants for Circus Training

From the ARTFARM: Teen dancers, acrobats, athletes, jugglers and clowns are invited to join the circus this winter, either for weekly Circus Training or as part of an exclusive Traveling Company.

Circophony Youth Circus in Middletown begins Spring Circus Training for anyone ages twelve to nineteen, regardless of experience, on February 7. Additionally, experienced circus performers are welcome to audition for Circophony’s Traveling Company on Tuesday, January 17.

Circophony, now in its sixth season, is a collaboration between Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater and ARTFARM. The program offers teenagers year-round circus training and performance opportunities. Every spring the Traveling Company creates and tours an original circus show to schools, clubs and festivals throughout Connecticut.

The Training program begins February 7, 6 – 8 pm, and will continue on Tuesdays through April 18. Training will include acrobatics, movement, unicycling, stilt dancing, juggling, physical comedy and other circus skills as well as strength, flexibility and conditioning. To register for the training program, contact Oddfellows Playhouse at oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143.

Auditions for the Traveling Company be held Tuesday, January 17, 6 – 9 pm at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street in Middletown. Anyone ages 12 to 19 is welcome to audition, though a background in circus, acrobatics, dance or other physical performance is recommended.

Auditioners should arrive on time, dress to move and be prepared to stay for the entire three hour audition. Each performer is expected to have prepared a 2 minute solo highlighting his or her best skills and demonstrating the ability to create original work. Music, choreography and costuming is encouraged; improvised performances are not. We will provide the ability to play music from a CD or an mp3player/iphone. You will be judged on your skills, your preparation and your performance energy. The audition will also include choreography, improvisation, acrobatics, collaboration and juggling.

Circophony will rehearse Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6 – 9 pm, starting February 7, with additional rehearsals leading up to opening night. The new Traveling show will premiere at Oddfellows on April 28 and 29 and will be available to tour throughout May and June, closing with a final performance at the Children’s Circus of Middletown on June 30.

A tuition fee of $250 is required of anyone accepted into the Traveling Company; some financial aid or work-study is available. Tuition for the ten-week Training Program is $120.

Anyone intending to audition should pre-register by contacting info@oddfellows.org or register online.

Photo by David Schulz