Mt. Airy Circus School Is Nation's First State-Licensed Facility

MT. AIRY, PHILADELPHIA – Mt. Airy will soon officially be home to the nation's first state-licensed vocational circus school, as the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts opens a new training studio in Mt. Airy Friday.

The Circadium School of Contemporary Circus will be the first school in the United States where budding performers can earn a degree in circus arts.

Located at 6452 Greene St. in West Mt. Airy (the former St. Madeleine Sophie Church site), the new school will open Friday, Sept. 15.

To celebrate the new 28,000-square-foot facility and the school, the weekend will be full of circus inspired events and activities.

The grand opening weekend will feature free performances; free circus workshops on tumbling, aerials, and more; a SEPTA circus take over; and more from Friday, Sept. 15 to Sunday, Sept. 17

“After 17 years of operations, and an exhaustive property search, we are finally able to say we have realized a dream,” Shana Kennedy, PSCA and Circadium Executive Director, said. “We have gone from one-on-one classes in my home to becoming the regional center for all things circus arts. We are proud to grow, expand and enter new territory at the same time as the region’s interest in circus arts continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Circus arts are now ingrained in the fabric of our region’s arts and culture community. We are proud to have helped make that happen and we look forward to the opportunity to help define what circus means to a whole new generation.”

Shana and Greg Kennedy purchased St. Madeleine Sophie Church and the two-acre property surrounding the church for $1.2 million, according to a press release.

Their purchase includes the sanctuary and gymnasium, school building, a non-occupied home, and a portico/gatehouse.

The grounds feature expansive green space that may be used for outdoor classes, performances and a potential circus festival.

After a multi-year search, the final sale of the property was completed on Sept. 1 this year.

Light renovations began in August with the final renovations and installation of circus equipment ready for classes in early September.

“Philadelphia is the perfect place to launch America's first school offering a higher education program in circus arts," said Kennedy. "We are thrilled that our circus hub will now welcome and connect students from around the globe as they pursue a diploma in modern circus."

Circadium’s full-time, three-year, non-profit training program brings together circus students seeking higher education and professional training opportunities. Circadium officially opens this month with the first class of students from around the world.

Circadium was first announced on top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps in summer of 2016 and went on to raise over $50,000 in its initial Kickstarer Campaign to fund the nonprofit arts school. Save the date and look for information about the Circadium Gala Event on Nov. 4.

Visit Philadelphia School of Circus Arts' website to get more information, including classes, pricing, events, and much more.

A full schedule of events for the grand opening weekend is below:

Friday, Sept. 15

• 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Free circus workshops (Intro to Aerials, Intro to Partner Acrobatics, Intro to Handstands and Tumbling, Intro to Art of Balance) for ages 6 and up to adults
• 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. – Free workshop for Tots and Kinder ages 3 to 5 years old
• 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Open house tours
• 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Open house tours6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. – Free circus workshops (Intro to Aerials, Intro to Partner Acrobatics, Intro to Handstands and Tumbling, Intro to Art of Balance) for ages 6 and up to adults
• 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Free workshop for Tots and Kinder ages 3 to 5 years old
• 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. – Free circus workshops (Intro to Aerials, Intro to Partner Acrobatics, Intro to Handstands and Tumbling, Intro to Art of Balance) for ages 6 and up to adults.
• 7:15 p.m. – Give and Take Jugglers – Free show in the sanctuary
• 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Open house tours

Saturday, Sept. 16

• 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. – Open house tours, on the hour
• 11 a.m. to noon – Free workshops (Intro to Partner Acrobatics and Intro to Art of Balance) for ages 6 up to adults
• Noon to 1 p.m. – Free workshops (Intro to Handstands and Tumbling and Intro to Art of Balance) for ages 6 and up to adult
• 1 p.m.to 1:30 p.m. – Tightwire Fun for Kids and Registration for Ribbon Cutting and Performance - Outside the Sanctuary (Outdoors weather pending)
• 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting, Performance and Dedication - Sanctuary
• 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Welcome Reception - Sanctuary
• 3 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. – Youth Troupe Performance - Sanctuary
• 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. – Free child/adult workshop for Tots and Kinder ages 3-5 years old.
• 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Free circus workshops (Intro to Aerials, Intro to Partner Acrobatics, Intro to Handstands and Tumbling, Intro to Art of Balance) for ages 6 and up to adults
• 4:30 p.m. top 5:15 p.m. – Free for Tots and Kinder ages 3-5 years old
• 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Free circus workshops (Intro to Aerials, Intro to Partner Acrobatics, Intro to Handstands and Tumbling, Intro to Art of Balance) for ages 6 and up to adults
• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Free circus workshops (Intro to Aerials, Intro to Partner Acrobatics, Intro to Handstands and Tumbling, Intro to Art of Balance) for ages 6 and up to adults

Sunday, Sept. 17

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Open House Tours, on the hour
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Circus Fun for Kids with Tightrope Demo, Juggling and More During Open House Tours (Lawn outside sanctuary)

Pictured above is Circus Artist David Smith outside new home for Philadelphia School of Circus Arts

Image Courtesy of Philadelphia School of Circus Arts