Circus performers entertain audiences with their skills such as:

• aerial performance using trapezes or high wires
• acrobatics
• juggling
• fire breathing
• clowning.

They may perform their act alone, or as part of a group. They may perform with a traditional or modern circus company, or use their skills in street theatre, festivals, corporate events and parties. Circuses may be large scale touring companies or community-based. Some circus performers are part of physical theatre companies.

In touring circuses, as well as performing, the work also involves:

• travelling with the show from town to town
• setting up their act
• maintaining equipment.

Circus performers also spend a lot of time rehearsing, perfecting their skills and developing new acts.

Hours and Environment

Hours of work vary, with performances during the daytime and evening, at weekends and on public holidays. Performers may work part-time or seasonally.

The work is physically demanding, with a lot of time spent travelling and rehearsing. Traditionally, circus artists perform in a tent (sometimes known as the Big Top), but they may also perform in other places such as arts venues, community settings, hotels or outdoors in the street or at festivals.

Some large circuses travel all over the world, smaller ones travel around the country or region. Solo performers and physical theatre companies may also travel, both nationally and internationally.

Skills and Interests

To be a circus performer you should:

• be skilled in your chosen performance area
• be versatile and adaptable
• be physically fit, with high levels of energy and stamina
• be disciplined and self-motivated
• have high levels of concentration
• be outgoing and self-confident
• work well as part of a team
• be constantly aware of health and safety issues, as the work can be dangerous
• be hardworking and determined to succeed.

Entry

You do not need any qualifications to be a circus performer. Your talent and skills are more important than academic qualifications. To find work, you must be able to pass auditions to show that you can perform at least one circus skill to a professional standard.

There are several ways that you can learn circus skills in several ways, including:

• part-time adult education classes
• community circuses
• weekend and summer schools
• formal full-time courses (see the Training section for more details).

See the Circus Arts Forum website for information on where to find all types of circus skills training.

College and university performing arts courses often include circus skills, or other useful skills mime, acrobatics, dance and physical theatre. College courses include A Level Performing Arts and BTEC National Certificates and Diplomas in Performing Arts. University courses include Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNCs/HNDs) or degrees in performing arts, theatre arts or similar titles.

Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

You can sometimes start as a general assistant with a circus company, as they sometimes offer seasonal jobs when touring. Contact circus companies directly to find out about any opportunities (see the Circus Arts Forum website for contact details).

Training

You can take intensive training in professional circus skills at an established circus school, such as:

• The Academy of Circus Arts - the only touring circus school in the UK. Courses run from May to October and include performance training in various circus skills, and technical training including rigging and equipment. To enter, you must be aged 18 or over, have a good level of health and fitness, and pass an audition. It will be useful to have ability in one or more circus skills, but this is not essential as your audition will show your potential.

• The Circus Space in London - offers a two-year Foundation Degree and a three-year BA (Hons) degree in Circus Arts. To enter, you must be aged 18 or over, have a good level of health and fitness, and pass an audition. You should have a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts or three GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) and two A levels/Highers or equivalent qualifications. If you have professional circus experience you may be accepted without these qualifications.

• Circomedia in Bristol - a centre for circus and physical theatre. They offer one- and two-year full-time professional training programmes and other courses including circus skills teacher training. See their website for details.

• Circus Maniacs in Bristol - offers full-time, part-time and short intensive professional development programmes, for circus professionals and newcomers with gymnastic, acrobatic or dance skills.

• Greentop Circus in Sheffield - offers Circus In Performance, a full-time 12-week intensive circus skills foundation course. Entry is by audition.

Most of the circus schools also offer part-time courses and workshops for people of all ages and abilities, from beginners to experienced professionals who want to expand their skills. See each school’s website for more details.

See the Circus Arts Forum website for details of other part-time classes and workshops all over the UK.

Opportunities

Work may be short-term or seasonal. Performers will often be on the books of one or more specialised agencies to help them find work. Details of some of these are on the Circus Arts Forum website.

Circus performers may need to have another job to supplement income, especially at the beginning of their career. As their career progresses they will get more bookings, usually leading to more money and success.

Some performers become instructors or move into other areas of performing arts.

Annual Income

Most circus performers are self-employed and earn a fee for each contract or performance. Rates of pay can vary widely, according to whether the contract is long- or short-term.

Further information

C/o Skylight Circus Arts
Broadwater Centre
Smith St
Rochdale
OL16 1HE
Tel: 01706 650676 St Thomas' Church
Holywell Road
Brightside
Sheffield
S4 8AS
Tel: 0114 244 8828 11 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444 The Power Station
Coronet Street
London N1 6HD
Tel: 020 7729 7944 Coronet Street
London
N1 6HD
Tel: 020 7613 4141 Office 8a, Kingswood Foundation
Britannia Road
Kingswood
Bristol
BS15 8DB
Tel: 0117 947 7042 Ebeneser Chapel Annexe
Charles Street
Cardiff
CF10 2GA
Tel: 029 2023 3444 Enborne
Newbury
Berkshire
RG20 0LD Britannia Rd
Kingswood
Bristol
BS15 8DB
Tel: 0117 947 7288