Circus skills and physical theatre

<p>In post #71 of the current decisions thread, </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1096832-class-11-theatre-decisions-thread.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1096832-class-11-theatre-decisions-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>letsfigureitout mentions her daughter's specialized circus skills. I was interested in this and am wondering if it might be a growing trend for students entering theatre programs to have these sorts of skills.</p>

<p>I know a junior girl who has skills that are in this category. She is also interested in Boston University, the school that letsfigureitout's D will be attending.</p>

<p>Circus skills are related to physical theatre. My son knew nothing about physical theatre before he started his BFA studies, and now he is extraordinarily enthusiastic about it.</p>

<p>While not so much circus skills, but you might want to share with that girl that the Tisch studio called Experimental Theater Wing (ETW), where my D studied, teaches physical acting and they also have coursework in clowning and commedia. </p>

<p>Of course, circus arts goes way beyond those areas. For example, letsfigureitout’s D is also talented at certain circus skills/acts that would not be in a theater program. I think I read her post to also say that in Boston, she can find a way to continue with circus skill training if she wants (outside the theater program). For example, in Newton (a suburb of Boston), there is a place called Simply Circus, where adults can take classes in certain circus skills.</p>

<p>NYU has a summer study abroad program that is open to undergrads and graduate students from other schools in Commedia del 'arte in Florence. It is listed on the Tisch website under special programs.</p>

<p>NJTheatreMOM, thanks so much for spotting that! I assume you’re talking about my daughter (although circus aerials are very popular these days so it might have been someone else.) My daughter actually specializes in the lyra (hoop) although I’m sure she is open to expanding her repertoire of skills (but she she doesn’t juggle or ride unicycles, etc.) </p>

<p>Although UArts is not her first choice, there is a good school in Philadelphia; of course, there are many schools in NYC. </p>

<p>The more I think about it, the more I see my daughter majoring in theater arts rather than straight up acting. She is also a playwright, complicating things slightly-- so the Fordham program is looking more attractive now that we know about its playwriting track.</p>

<p>Coastal Carolina University offers a BFA in Physical Theatre. “The B.F.A in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Physical Theatre will instruct students in a large variety of applied physical performance methods, including instruction in classic clowning, circus skills, acrobatics, mime, dance, character development, professionalism, and the creation of original material.” The first 3 years are spent on campus at CCU in Myrtle Beach. The 4th year is spent at the San Francisco Circus Center’s Clown Conservatory:
[CCU</a> Department of Theatre](<a href=“http://www.coastal.edu/theatre/]CCU”>Theatre - Coastal Carolina University)</p>

<p>@glassharmonica…you read my mind! :)</p>

<p>@SDonCC…one of the choices that Boston University School of Theatre students have for their abroad semester is the Accademia dell’Arte in Arrezo, Italy (Tuscany).
[Accademia</a> dell’Arte - European Theatre, Vocal Arts and Dance | programs](<a href=“http://www.dell-arte.org/programs.php?sub=31]Accademia”>http://www.dell-arte.org/programs.php?sub=31)
“In the spirit of the actor-creator, this semester provides ensemble-based physical theatre training with an intense focus on movement/body work, vocal techniques and Italian language. Students will learn new approaches to performance through their encounter with Commedia dell’Arte, interwoven with mask-making and other related performance topics.”</p>

<p>Northwestern also has a module in the sophomore acting class that includes circus skills at a local facility. My daughter loved it and believes it teaches you (and the class as a whole) so much more than just the actual “stunts.”</p>

<p>American has a visiting professor from Prague this year who teaches physical theatre. My D really enjoyed studying with her and would love to continue. She also did a research project with the Synetic Theatre in DC which is one of the leading physical theatre groups in the US. I think this art form is going to be on the rise in the US.</p>

<p>At UNCSA, all students must know how to juggle to graduate. Circus skills are an integral part of the summer program for high school students as well as the college level program. Circus skills, at least at UNCSA, are one of the many types of movement classes.</p>

<p>My S left their high school summer program knowing how to juggle and knowing how to fall like a clown. My S really liked these classes last summer.</p>

<p>In October of this year, the Pig Iron Theatre Company in Philadelphia is inaugurating a brand new two-year advanced training program in physical and ensemble-devised theatre.</p>

<p>“The mission of the Pig Iron Theatre Company is to create original performance works which test and break the boundaries of dance, drama, clown, puppetry, music, and text; to experiment with form while staying accessible; to develop a physical, theatrical performance technique that draws from many performance traditions; to re-imagine ‘classics’ with both irreverence and a desire to make them relevant; and to reach out to new audiences by redefining theatre as an interdisciplinary art form.”</p>

<p>I have had trouble trying to explain my son’s interest in it to people, because I have not had theatrical training or education in theatre history, as my son has. It still somewhat baffles me that some theatre students these days are much less interested in theatre as a verbally-oriented art form than they used to be. </p>

<p>Apparently you pretty much have to have the right kind of experience, either as a student or an audience member, to start to “get it.”</p>

<p>Two names that ring a bell with a lot of folks are Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group.</p>

<p>Today I stumbled across an article that contains some really good background info:</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href=“http://www.mccarter.org/Aurelia/html/3.html]McCarter”&gt;404 | McCarter Theatre Center]McCarter</a> Theatre presents: Aur</p>

<p>Not a degree program but this might be of interest. Illinois State University Gamma Phi Circus. </p>

<p>[Gamma</a> Phi Circus](<a href=“http://gammaphicircus.illinoisstate.edu/]Gamma”>http://gammaphicircus.illinoisstate.edu/)</p>

<p>I was a memeber in college. Sounds like you are looking for something more theater related. The CC program sounds really exciting. If I had it to do over again…</p>

<p>Have you looked into programs that specialze in commedia dell’arte?</p>

<p>There are two collegiate theaters in the U.S., Illinois State’s (mentioned above) and Florida State, which CC readers know also has a BFA Acting program (audition required).</p>

<p>Anyone visiting DC area and interested in seeing movement-based theater must check out Synetic Theater Company. It continually gets rave reviews and awards for its inventive, well-choreographed shows. (Shakespeare without words/just movement? pretty impressive.) </p>

<p>[Synetic</a> Theater | DC’s Premier Physical Theater](<a href=“http://www.synetictheater.org/]Synetic”>http://www.synetictheater.org/)</p>

<p>Ringling Bros. Clown College
[url=&lt;a href="http://www.ringling.com/TextContent.aspx?id=21198&parentID=390&assetFolderID=846]FAQ’s[/url"&gt;http://www.ringling.com/TextContent.aspx?id=21198&parentID=390&assetFolderID=846]FAQ’s[/url</a>]</p>

<p>Another program to look at is the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Contemporary Performance Practice. It is a four year BA.</p>

<p>Oops - the link is: [Course</a> Details](<a href=“http://www.rsamd.ac.uk/undergraduate/cpp/]Course”>http://www.rsamd.ac.uk/undergraduate/cpp/)</p>

<p>re: post 11 - NJTheaterMOM, take a look at the link below, where artists, mentors, and talent scouts describe their backgrounds and how they got into physical theater with Cirque du Soleil at:</p>

<p>[Meet</a> the Circus Team | Cirque du Soleil | Casting](<a href=“http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/jobs/casting/team.asp]Meet”>http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/jobs/casting/team.asp)</p>

<p>FWIW this is something I have always wanted to spend a summer doing. These are just workshops. Somethings you have to just get out there and do. Not everything is learned in school. All the teachers have a solid background in physical comedy. </p>

<p>[Celebration</a> Barn Theater - International School for the Performing Arts in South Paris, Maine](<a href=“http://www.celebrationbarn.com/]Celebration”>http://www.celebrationbarn.com/)</p>

<p>Thanks for all the interesting links! </p>

<p>I didn’t start this thread because I am helping a student who is looking for a place to study physical theatre. I did it more just as a general discussion of an intriguing topic…one that some high school students might not be familiar with.</p>

<p>And I am glad you started it! My daughter is very interested in experimental theatre and performance art - which is why she has chosen the CPP at RSAMD. Now I am all eyes and ears!</p>