Circomedia’s first-ever week-long Aerial Creation Intensive, featuring workshops, aerial lessons, and a performance sharing opportunity, takes center stage from Monday, July 15th to Saturday, July 20th, 2024.

For the first time, Bristol’s world-renowned school for contemporary circus and physical theatre, Circomedia, is opening its doors for a week-long intensive course. With a focus on aerial disciplines, the unique course looks to bring the wider circus community together through a journey of development, exploration and performance.

The course will be led by Dr Jonathan Priest, esteemed corde lisse artist and Circomedia’s visionary leader of its Masters Programme in Directing Circus – the only of its kind in Europe. Aerial enthusiasts from across the world are invited to apply for a place on the course, as Circomedia happily welcomes students from the UK and abroad to get involved where possible.

Jonathan will be joined by a range of special guests from across the circus industry who will deliver a programme of talks and workshops throughout the week. Artistic directors Alex Harvey and Charlotte Mooney of contemporary circus company, Ockham’s Razor, will be sharing their years of experience with attendees alongside directors of dance circus company, Joli Vyann, Jan Patzke and Olivia Quayle. Circomedia alumni and world-renowned aerial artist, Ziggy Slingsby, will also be joining the list of special guests, sharing her knowledge and experience with those selected to attend. Students from Circomedia’s MA will also be leading classes, which will feature workshops exploring a range of approaches to making circus performances, unavailable elsewhere.

With just 10 spots available, the exclusive programme is aimed at existing circus performers wishing to develop the form and content of their current work, as well as improving their aerial skills and networking with industry professionals to help pave the way for future collaborations. Applications for this course are open to both UK based and international students, providing a now rare opportunity for non-UK residents to study in Bristol.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Circomedia has brought creativity and circus performances to the heart of Bristol since 1994, from its church home in Portland Square. Its new Summer Intensive course will take place in the specially rigged and equipped studio spaces at the school’s academic venue in Kingswood, with an opportunity for those selected to showcase their newfound talents at a private performance sharing and networking session with some of the biggest names in circus at St. Paul’s Church at the end of the course week.

Dr Jonathan Priest, Course Leader at Circomedia, said: “We’re looking for passionate individuals who have an existing body of work and a clear vision for the direction of their projects to join our course. As our first Summer Intensive, we hope to offer an intimate and focussed experience that will help each course member take steps forward to a fully-realised performance that they can take with them into their future.”

A place on the course is £980* and Circomedia are asking applicants to outline their project ideas and what they are looking to achieve in their application process. A full breakdown of what this intensive week offers can be found at www.circomedia.com/summer-intensive/. To apply, applicants should email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Summer Intensive Application’.

Main image is courtesy of Circomedia.