Weekend Immersions (Winter/Spring 2022) ^expired

Spend a few days completely absorbed in your favorite circus discipline and take home skills that will keep you busy long after the workshop ends. All workshops are held in person at NECCA, are for ages 18+ or permission of instructor, and cost $350 each, with an early bird discount if you register 3+ weeks before it starts. More info: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/training/workshops/


CONTORTION
January 28 – 30

Expand your active range of motion, skills, and transitions! We'll start with an active flex warm-up for the legs and back, and then develop skills such as leg scales, levers, inversions, and backbends. On the second and third day, we'll combine those skills in a unique sequence using creative transitions.

PREREQS: You do not have to be a contortionist to attend, though contortionists are welcome, of course! Participants should be able to push up to a bridge from the floor, finishing with straight arms. Splits are not required. If you have a current back injury, we recommend that you heal before participating. Please bring headphones for creative sessions.

SCHEDULE: Friday: 4 – 7:30 pm
Saturday: 12:30 – 3 pm & 3:30- 5 pm
Sunday: 9:30 am – 1 pm

REGISTER: https://necenterforcircusarts.asapconnected.com/#CourseID=248988

INSTRUCTOR: Ariana Ferber-Carter

MORE INFO: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/about/weekend-immersion-contortion/

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STRAPS
February 5 – 6

Aerial straps are the workhorse and the apex of the aerial world. This apparatus offers a wonderful opportunity for conditioning and also becomes a breathtaking and dynamic performance piece. Join us for a weekend of conditioning and exploration, regardless of your performance goals. We'll look at interesting and challenging ways to build strength and then explore the use of spin and dynamic movement (including pulley systems) that can build your performative vocabulary. Many exercises will be performed with the help of fellow students spotting (and encouraging!) each other, so vaccination for COVID-19 will be required for participation.

PREREQS: Students should have some straps experience, be able to comfortably and consistently invert three times in a row without assistance, have no active shoulder injuries, and have a regular and current aerial practice. Please bring long sleeves and/or arm bands and wrist bands for protection.

SCHEDULE: Saturday: 12:30 – 3:30 pm & 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 1 pm & 1:30 – 3:30 pm

REGISTER: https://necenterforcircusarts.asapconnected.com/#CourseID=260216

INSTRUCTOR: Elsa Hall

MORE INFO: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/about/weekend-immersion-straps/

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GROUP ACROBATICS - TOSS TECHNIQUE
March 5-6

Otherwise known as "toss the flyer," toss is a unique group acrobatic discipline involving teamwork, rhythm, coordination, and fun! Based around swinging people like human skipping ropes and passing, throwing and catching them in various positions, this skill is a great complement to many other acrobatic disciplines.

In this technique-focused intensive, we will concentrate on three fundamental movements of toss: basket tossing, natural swing, and sit swing. We'll spend the first part of the intensive refining technique and building group connection. Once we've established a solid technical foundation, we will explore a range of skills based on each fundamental movement.

PREREQS: Students registering for this intensive must have some previous experience with partner work. Experience and comfort with basic counterbalances (such as thigh stand) and two-high/standing on shoulders is required. This intensive is not appropriate for folks with current back, shoulder, or knee injuries.

SCHEDULE: Saturday 12-3 pm, 330 - 6 pm
Sunday 10 am -1230 pm, 130- 4 pm

REGISTER: https://necenterforcircusarts.asapconnected.com/#CourseID=261031

INSTRUCTORS: Tim Ellis, Roger May, Ellen Waylonis

MORE INFO: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/about/weekend-immersion-group-acrobatics-toss-technique/

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TRAPEZE
March 12-13

Join us for a weekend of exploration and technique with one of our favorite trapeze coaches! This classic apparatus offers so many things—bar work, vertical space, rolling, turning and beating. We’ll experiment, play, and create through guided investigations to refine your trapeze technique while developing new skills and learning inventive sequences and pathways.

PREREQS: This workshop is designed for intermediate and advanced trapeze practitioners who have a current and regular trapeze practice and are comfortable moving onto and around the trapeze. Students must be able to do ankle hang beats, one-knee hangs, front balance with no hands, and invert comfortably in the ropes.

SCHEDULE: Saturday: 12 – 3 pm & 4 – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 1 pm & 2 – 4:30 pm

REGISTER: https://necenterforcircusarts.asapconnected.com/#CourseID=187814

INSTRUCTOR: Megan Gendell

MORE INFO: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/about/weekend-immersion-trapeze/

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AERIAL SLING - BOWTIE BELAYS
March 26 – 27

Welcome to the crazy world of bowtie belays on aerial sling! A bowtie belay are two belay loops (like belay on fabric) but on sling it has two loops and a crossing knot in the center. There are many different entrances and as many different exits, and we will explore as many of them as we can! We’ll also play creatively with shapes and poses inside the bowtie once we learn to create them. This workshop will be great for your brain and your body!

PREREQS: Participants should have a regular sling or fabric practice and have a good general understanding of how fabric “works” (be able to move around and execute skills without regular coach input). Students should be able to invert in the air, put on foot locks in the air, do one pull-up, and do a cross-back straddle on fabric or sling. There are a few skills where inverting in the air is required. In some entrances, it’s not required but would make it easier.

SCHEDULE: Saturday: 12 – 3 pm & 4 – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 1 pm & 2 – 4:30 pm

REGISTER: https://necenterforcircusarts.asapconnected.com/#CourseID=259981

INSTRUCTOR: Gina DeFreitas

MORE INFO: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/about/weekend-immersion-aerial-sling-bowtie-belays/