In April 2022 I was awarded Arts Council DYCP funding to develop my circus/theatre practice. I wanted to create a practice which used equipment-based circus (juggling, diabolo…) to tell stories in an exciting and innovative ways. Most importantly, the practice could be engaged with by anyone. The circus involved is adaptable and accessible, and the performances and work created would be high-level regardless of initial circus skill. It is about community and collaboration, as well as exposure to an art form that many people previously haven’t had exposure to.

 

My DYCP project was hugely successful and exceeded my expectations of what could be developed and achieved. I forged strong connections with both Birmingham-based circus organisations, CircusMASH and RoguePlay, and have now consequently been hired by both organisations to run workshops using my emerging practice. CircusMASH in particular has me on as a class teacher, and we are currently developing the continuation of my practice.

 

I have created a bank of patterns and games which were developed in a space with new artists. Interestingly, pieces of performance and original workshop designs were unintentionally developed, and this has become a foundation for the practice. These patterns, games and theories have been tested in workshop settings. I have run approximately thirty workshops around my practice as a result of my DYCP. 

 

One of the artists I worked with has become invested in the work so we have begun trialling the theories of the practice in performance. We performed a piece of new work at a RoguePlay’s Tilt Festival scratch night. Additionally, I have networked and brought my practice to the RSC, Seven Fingers, Gazebo Theatre Company, ACE Dance and Music, Performers College, Warwick Castle, and several organisations in Brazil.

 

I have had illuminating mentoring sessions with LouDeemy and RoguePlay and trial workshops with a wide range of demographics. These workshops were evaluated with my mentors and then developed. I was also aided in my research by books, podcasts and websites, and have compiled a list of UK-based circus organisations who approach contemporary theatre/circus in similar ways. I have also attended circus conventions and performances. 

 

I financially invested in resources and equipment that were both useful in the research for this project, but also have a long-term impact on my practice. I have realised what equipment is necessary for accessible circus and have been able to take risks with new workshops and ideas because of it.

 

Key Aims:

• Create a novel multidisciplinary practice using ground circus skills and immersive storytelling.

• Building trust and bringing together communities through collaborative circus skills

• Visually exciting and thought-provoking storytelling

• Accessible circus

• Popularising ground skills circus in Birmingham

 

Key Features:

• Themed workshop (mad hatter, hercules…) plans to explore verbal and non-verbal circus through storytelling

• Making ground skills accessible and exciting

• Making “failure” comfortable and using it as a tool for storytelling

• Giving a space to novices to create high quality circus work

• Highlighting the value of the practice and discipline

• Group cohesion aspect- relationships as important as the skill

• Fun and silliness

• Meaningful contribution without having to do years of expensive training

 

This practice is still in development, and is yet to be given a name. I’m due to perform a commission using my practice on February 9th. 

 

If you would like to use my practice and book a workshop, or develop a project, then please get in touch!