Circus Mob...we want your thoughts!

Catapult wants to hear from all those who are a part of or involved with the Australian Indigenous circus community.

As you may be aware the Regional Arts Fund has provided support for a partnership between Catapult and the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centres Aboriginal Performing Arts Program.

Catapult Festival will host a program titled Circus Mob, a gathering of Indigenous circus trainers and those with expertise working with indigenous groups during the festival. This program will then launch a local long term Aboriginal circus and physical theatre troupe in the region.

We want to know what you want offered at Catapult in 2012. Your thoughts and ideas can remain anonymous, we just want to hear them.

Start the conversation.......

Think Tanks

These forums are a chance to discuss and brainstorm big ideas, industry issues and future strategies surrounding Youth Circus and Physical Theatre. These sessions are facilitated by industry leaders.

CATAPULT 2012- In 2012 we will have 6 x 2 hour “Think Tanks”.

Suggestions for Think Tanks in 2012 include:

• Trainer accreditation, registration, touring and exchange programs.
• Youth programs- management, governance and leadership.
• Emerging Artist and graduate programs
• Creating Physical Theatre for and with young People.
• How to run sustainable programs in regional and remote area’s.

Do you have any suggestions for the Think Tanks?  

·         What do you want to talk about?

·         What ideas do you want to share?

·         What do you think we need to address as an industry?

Let us know your thoughts on the Catapult Think Tanks.

TEAS SESSIONS

These are facilitated share sessions of skills, ideas and concepts. These “workshop” sessions focus on the practical exchanges between teachers/trainers and youth participants. This model is based upon is the sharing of skills and knowledge conducted by FEDEC the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools (La Fédération européenne des écoles de cirque professionnelles) that has led to the development of the Basic Circus Arts Instruction Manual. Catapult tailors this model to suit the Australian youth circus and physical theatre movement.

Past sessions have included:

·   Theatricality & meaning

·   Aerial training

·   Slapstick and Clowning

·   Adagio

·   Safety, first aid and rigging

·   Manipulation

CATAPULT 2012- In 2012 we will have 12 x 2 hour “TEAS” sessions.

So far suggestions for TEAS sessions in 2012 are:

1.       Building performances.

2.       Aerial- introduction to aerial, trapeze, tissue, straps, net and lyra.

3.       Acro

4.       Slapstick and clowning

5.       Adagio Contact juggling

6.       Fire

7.       Globe

8.   Rigging

Do you have any suggestions for the ‘TEAS’ sessions?

·         What have you thought of past ‘TEAS’ sessions?

·         What skills or ideas do you want to explore at Catapult in 2012?

·         Who do you think would be fantastic facilitators for one of these sessions and why?

·         What do you want to ‘TEAS’ out of other youth circus and physical theatre artists?

Let us know your thoughts on the Catapult TEAS sessions

Spirit of the Circus

During the 2012 Festival we will be starting our days with a sessions called

SPIRIT OF THE CIRCUS

The Spirit of the Circus is a 45 minute session held at the start of each day. A theme for the day is introduced, participants are given time to share their perspectives on this theme and then a whole group warm-up follows. Any housekeeping for the festival is also announced during this time.

Past themes have included:

• How to enourage:
  inclusivity, safety, non competitiveness, respect, daring, emotional and intellectual growth, self esteem.
• How to manage:
  Young bodies and minds undergoing development in a circus environment, Behaviour management, Relationship of a youth circus to the community and schools.

In 2012 we will offer 3 x 45 minute “Spirit of the Circus” sessions.

So far suggestions for future themes are:

1.       Pro-active creation of youth circus culture.

2.       Pedagogical frameworks for circus.

3.       Developing motivation.

4.       Sharing of new games.

Do you have any suggestions for the ‘Spirit of the Circus’ sessions?

·         What have you thought of past ‘Spirit of the Circus’ sessions?

·         Can you suggest some over arching themes?

·         Who do you think would be fantastic facilitators for one of these sessions and why?

·         What Game/physical activities might work well in this type of sessions?

Let us know your thoughts on the SPIRIT OF THE CIRCUS

Post Number 1!

Keep an eye on this blog for updates and information... coming soon!