🎉 Congrats Charlene – June #AYCOPhotoContest Winner

Charlene is 15 and has been doing circus at Trapeze Las Vegas since she was 4. She has toured the world with Le PeTiT CiRqUe, performed for the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, with Lucas Graham, and with Jordan World Circus. She has also done circus stunts in the movies Me Time and Chicken Girls: The Movie.

 

In this Issue of AYCO News:

Click to go directly to section news!

 

  AYCO Monthly Newsletter

AYCO Youth Membership costs $35 per year and is for anyone 21 and under and college students who are passionate about circus arts. This is your chance to plug into the national circus community, network and show off  your circus pride.

 

Membership benefits include:

Surprise swag mailed to your door three times a year
Eligibility to perform in AYCO event showcases
Discounts on events and merchandise
Monthly email AYCOgram newsletter filled with circus opportunities, news, and videos just for you!

Want to join? Grab an adult and click the button below!

👥 Let’s Get Social!

Are you following us on social media? 👀 If not, hit that follow button so we can connect! We want to see more of you in our feed so we can send you social love and share your highlights, training gains, shows and more. You can follow us on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, where we like to keep you up-to-date with what’s going on in the world of circus, with our organization and members. Plus we like to share circus inspo, helpful resources and more. What are you waiting for? Click and connect!

Be sure to tag us using #AmericanYouthCircusOrganization and use our new hashtags: #WeCircusBetterTogether and #TheFutureIsCircus (You can follow these hashtags too!)

 

New Hup Squad Blog Posts

Our HUP Squad has been hard at work this month, and have written four new blog posts with helpful and insightful circus information. Take a read! And be sure to share with a circus friend!  

 

Circus in the Pandemic

During the pandemic, we all experienced a radical change. Whether it was a newfound love for online shopping, devotion to cooking, or even, some new form of circus! I personally took up handstands because I was spending so much time surrounded by walls I might as well use them for something! Here are some experiences my fellow Hup Squaders and AYCO Staff had while they were stuck at home. Continue Reading


Review of the 2022 regional AYCOfest

On April 23rd, 70 circus loving youth came together to attend the Regional AYCOFest hosted by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. There were 42 workshops offered as well as a showcase where youth performers could show off their amazing skills. One of the Hup Squad team was there to represent, learn, and perform. Please enjoy following review by Jocelyn! Continue Reading

CSAW Circus School Application Deadline Mastersheet

Are You, Your Students or Your Kiddos Getting Ready to Audition for Circus Schools This Year? CSAW is Here to Help!
 
CSAW – Connecting Circus Students Around the World has released their 2022 Circus School Application Deadline Mastersheet! Click here: https://bit.ly/csawcircusschoolsheet
 
This spreadsheet includes:
• Circus schools
• Links to applications
• Application deadlines
• Audition dates
• The CSAW Ambassador for the school 
• How to contact that ambassador! 
• What is a CSAW Ambassador? 
 
A CSAW Ambassador is a current student of their international circus school. They are here to support you through applying, auditioning and attending circus school. If you have a question about a school just send the Ambassador an email or a DM and get an honest answer from a student of that school asap!
 
There are currently 16 CSAW Ambassadors to help future circus generations. You can find all of the current CSAW Ambassadors by clicking here: https://www.csawcircus.org/ambassadors

 

Circus Smirkus Camp Registration is OPEN!

At Smirkus Camp, kids develop new ways to challenge themselves, learn skills like teamwork and problem solving, get terrific physical conditioning, and enjoy fun summer camp traditions like singalongs, costume themed dinners, kickball, and more!
 
This summer, Circus Smirkus is offering the following sessions at Smirkus Camp, including placement-based camps that require a video submission, as marked with ★ below:
Smirkling Camp | 1 day | June 18 | Ages 5-11
All Levels Circus Camp | 1 week | June 19-June 24 | Ages 8-16
All Levels Circus Camp | 2 weeks | June 26-July 8 | Ages 8-16
Intermediate Camp | 2 weeks | July 10-22 | Ages 12-18
★ Intermediate Skills Intensive | 3 weeks | July 24-August 12 | Ages 12-18
★ Advanced Ensemble | 3 weeks | July 24-August 12 | Ages 12-18
★ Advanced Individual Acts | 3 weeks | July 24-August 12 | Ages 12-18
 
Get more information and sign up at www.smirkus.org/camp-sessions

 

The Circus Smirkus 2022 Big Top Tour Opens July 2!

Get your tickets to come see the 2022 Big Top Tour: On the Road Again. Come see the joy of 30 circus youth ages 11-18 perform under our beautiful Big Top on tour across New England in our 35th Anniversary show! Full details at www.smirkus.org/about-big-top-tour/

 
★ Greensboro, VT:  July 2
★ Essex Junction, VT:  July 6, 7, 8 & 10
★ Hanover, NH: July 13, 14, 16, 17 
★ Marshfield, MA: July 20-23
★ Waltham, MA: July 26-August 1 (includes our annual Gala: The Smirktacular on June 28)
★ Newbury, MA: August 4-5
★ Kennebunkport, ME: August 9-10
★ Greensboro, VT: August 13-14

 

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance presents the 24th International Aerial Dance Festival

Aerial Dance Festival 2022: July 31-August 12. Boulder, CO.
 
3-Hour Immersions, 90-Minute Classes, Workshops, Panels, Performances, and more in-person in Boulder, CO! Learn from this year’s incredible line-up of Faculty Artists: Megan Cattau, Terry Crane, Gena DuBose, Cosmo Dudley, Danielle Hendricks, Shannon McKenna, Valerie Morris, Nancy Smith, Sofia Rodriguez, and Anastasia Timina. Join us for one week or two! Learn More and Register Here.
 
https://frequentflyers.org/aerial-dance-festival/

 

Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center: Summer Circus & Dance Creation Lab Auditions

The Summer Circus & Dance Creation Lab is a two-week program that culminates in a performance.  Students will have the opportunity to take technique classes in dance and circus such as contemporary dance, jazz, hip-hop, aerial silks, trapeze, lyra, juggling, and acrobatics. Students will have the opportunity to choose their technique classes for the two weeks.  Pending on the goals of the students (see Audition Form), we have the capacity to include faculty in other disciplines such as African Dance, Latin Dance, Cyr Wheel, and Aerial Straps.


When: July 18 – 29 (2 weeks) | Performance July 30
For Ages 8+
*Virtual Audition Required
Deadline: April 22 or when all spaces are full ​
Get more details at: https://www.cltcirquedancecenter.org/summercreationlab

 

Fit, Fabulous & Fearless Virtual Bootcamp

Is it possible to look fabulous dancing/moving, feel amazing in your body, AND remain joyful? Absolutely, it is. But is it as easy as some people make it out to be? Definitely not. If you want to successfully look stunning and feel vibrant at the same time, there are a few things you need to know. (And we’re going to tell you!)


Found out what they are in the Fit, Fabulous and Fearless Bootcamp. It’s 14 straight days of wholehearted access to top experts who want to help YOU become a healthier, confident and breathtaking dancer/mover/artist. Our panel includes dancers, artistic athletes, physical therapists, registered dietitians, personal trainers, body image coaches & psychologists that are excited to share their stories, struggles and breakthroughs while busting popular beliefs about body image, fitness and health.


Claim your free front row seat to this epic online event. Learn more and sign up here.

 

Flying Gravity Circus Introduces High School Circus Studies Program

WILTON, NH — Flying Gravity Circus (FGC) is partnering with High Mowing School (HMS) to offer the residential Circus Studies Program (CSP). Aspiring circus artists get:

  • A liberal, arts and sciences high-school education, and
  • Training in physical and artistic circus skills and performance.

“This is the only program like it in the United States — and is a culmination of years of planning and a decade of dreaming,” says Jon Roitman, FGC artistic director and CSP program director. 


The CSP includes:

  • Academic Classes: math, science, English, world language
  • Growing Circus Curriculum: sports psychology, nutrition, anatomy, career management
  • On-Site Circus Training: in our fully equipped studio
  • Performance: in FGC’s advanced troupe 


CSP graduates will have the academic credits required by traditional colleges, plus the skills to apply to a circus college or support a performing arts career.  

Learn more at www.highmowing.org/circus.

 

Nimble Arts Workshops are back!

June 20 – 24: Nimble Arts Introduction to Teaching Aerials hosted by NECCA in Brattleboro, VT for anyone embarking on or expanding your teaching practice.  Learn the foundations including spotting, skill progressions, classroom management, posture analysis, injury prevention etc.

 

July 2-7: Tree Dancing Workshop in collaboration with certified arborist, in Weare, NH. Learn the ropes of how to ascend into trees and dance with them in this outdoor combination of aerials, harness dancing and creativity.  Great for beginners and experienced movers alike this workshop is excellent for generating environmentally focused creative material within the natural landscape.

 

For info & registration visit: http://nimblearts.org/upcomingworkshop

Circus Harmony’s Amazing Alumni

Circus Harmony congratulates their alumni, Kyran Walton and Oliver Layher, on their graduation from Ecole Nationale de Cirque, their first professional contract with Seven Fingers, and on their first international circus festival, Young Stage, where they were awarded three prizes!
 
St. Louis Arches alumni, Claire Wallenda, will be appearing with Circus Flora alongside the current St Louis Arches.
 
Melvin Diggs and Terrance Robinson are touring with Cirque du Soliel’s Luzia which is currently in Geneva, Switzerland.
 
Chauncey Kroner is coaching the new hoop diving act which will be part of Circus Harmony’s Architecture and Acrobats!
 
Kellin Quinn and his partner, Danielle Saulnier, will be spending the summer performing on Iles de la Madeleine in Quebec for Cirque Eloize. 
 
Tiffany Harris is a 5th grade teacher at Ames Elementary School. Her students took Circus Harmony’s Circus Science class this Spring and did an end of year show. 
 
Keaton Hentoff-Killian was just at Circus Harmony visiting and did some great guest coaching before rejoining Circa Contemporary Circus for a performances in Romania and the Canary Islands. 

 

Game of the Month: I’m Sorry, Did You Say…

How to play: Have one student create the beginning of a fiction story in front of the class. Ask students to raise their hand and interrupt the story by saying, “I’m sorry, did you say…” and change a detail in the story. The storyteller then repeats the sentence with the new addition/suggestion and continues the story. After a few minutes, change the storyteller.
 
Variation: Have the storyteller choose when to call on someone to change the story. Work in pairs or groups of 4. 
 
Reflections: At the end, debrief with the group; how did someone else’s ideas affect your story? How was your creativity challenged?

CSAW Microgrants for US Circus Artists of Color

CSAW – Connection Circus Students Around the World met their fundraising goal for the second year in a row and it means that they can provide another year of Microgrants! To be eligible to apply for a CSAW Microgrant for US Circus Artists of Color you must identify as a person of color who is a citizen, resident alien, or permanent resident of the United States looking to further their education in circus and/or fund their circus related projects and needs. All applicants must be 14 years or older to apply for and receive a Microgrant. Applications are open from the 1st-15th of every month. For more information click here.

 

Discounts for AYCO/ACE Members

Want to get discounts with these awesome Circus vendors? Discounts are just another awesome perk of being an ACE member.  Become a member today!

Like discounts like this? The more our members use them, the more leverage we have as an organization to encourage companies to provide discounts!

 

AYCO News Article Submission

Interested in including your news or events relevant to the national circus community in AYCO/ACE’s newsletters? Send your submissions to communications@americanyouthcircus.org by the 2nd Friday of the month to be included in our monthly newsletter. Submissions should be no longer than 150 words, written in the third person, and include appropriate links and contact information if relevant. We cannot include PDFs or images, but we can link to them. Please also indicate if you would like your submission included in the AYCOgram (directed towards youth), ACE News (directed towards organizations and educators), or both.

 

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