Ecole de Cirque de Genève Théâtre-Cirqule

Chêne-Bourg, a small town in the suburbs of Geneva, is where a brand new 20-meter diameter big top was erected in 1989. The idea of creating a circus school was born. Initially, summer courses were set up. The success was immediate. The press and the authorities applauded this initiative. At the end of August , the big top was christened by Louis Knie Jr. in the presence of Chinese authorities and a large audience.

Until 1993, our facilities were set up in the surrounding municipalities (Chêne-Bougeries and Thônex). A tent for the fixed trapeze and small swinging trapeze, another for dance, a portico for the large swinging trapeze, trailers, a canteen, and a large amount of teaching equipment completed the installation, which already welcomed 240 trainees in August.

The Geneva Circus School, as it has been known since 1993, is a private enterprise. Yvette and Gérard Challande invested heavily in the purchase of equipment and devoted much of their time to setting up their ambitious project. Circus and theater have almost always been part of their lives, which has contributed to the school's current success, with more than 500 participants per year, and to its reputation for being inventive and avant-garde.

Year-round classes
Try a class for free!
You can register on site at the time of your first class!

Depending on your interests/motivation, there are different weekly course options:

• For ages 3–5 (accompanied by a parent) = Baby Circus
• For ages 5–7 = Preparation

For ages 8 and up:

• Once a week = Leisure Training
• Twice a week (including a dance and theater class on Wednesday afternoons) = Performance Training
• Like Performance Training + Saturday afternoons for work focused on artistic creativity = Artistic Training

But also:

• Classes for adults
• Professional Training
• For all our year-round classes, we use the Geneva school calendar to determine our vacation periods!

Leisure Training
As its name suggests, Leisure Training is aimed at children who come to the Théâtre-Cirqule mainly for entertainment. So, with these students, we try to help them progress by introducing them to various disciplines in a fun way. After the Easter holidays, the children choose a discipline that they will work on more intensively in order to prepare for the end-of-year show, which usually takes place at the end of May. This gives them the opportunity to showcase their talents in a performance setting under the big top and in front of a packed audience.

Depending on their age, the children are divided into three categories:

• Baby Circus for "3–5 year olds " ( accompanied by a parent)
• Preparation for ages 5–7
• Leisure Training for ages 8 and up

 

Performance Training Performance Training is for children who are motivated by the idea of performing in the circus. To take part in this training, they attend five hours of classes per week, including one hour of dance and one hour of acting (taught at our school). In addition to helping them progress in various circus disciplines, the objectives of the Performance Training program are to help children develop a certain degree of creative autonomy. Dance, theater, and acrobatics are considered basic disciplines.

Students enrolled in this program are expected to attend on Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ( when theater and dance classes are held) as well as another day of their choice between Mondays, Tuesdays, or Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Performing Arts Program is intended for young people "aged 8 and up" and costs 160 francs per month (for 5 hours per week).

Artistic Training
The Artistic Training program works like the Performing Arts Training program, except that in addition to classes during the week, these students must come on Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to do purely creative work.

Students enrolled in this program are expected to attend on Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ( when theater and dance classes are held) as well as another day of their choice between Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Artistic Training program is intended for young people "aged 10 and up" and costs 200 francs per month (for a minimum of 8 hours per week).
To enter the Artistic Training program, students must have completed at least one year of Performing Arts Training.

Adult Classes
For "young" adults, we recommend joining one of the Leisure Training classes. There are already several people in these groups in the same situation, so you won't be the only one your age!
For "older" adults, there is a class on Wednesday mornings from 10:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (for $80 per month). This class is suitable for people who want to try out various circus disciplines at a more "gentle" pace.

A new class has also started on Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.! This multidisciplinary class will allow everyone to work on the discipline(s) of their choice with the help of a teacher! It costs 100 francs per month!
If you are unsure which category you fall into, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can advise you.

Events... Shows...
Big top rental

Under its big top or elsewhere, the Théâtre-Cirqule can also organize various activities:

 

• Shows for all types of venues... performed by children, teenagers, and/or adults!
• Entertainment for birthdays, company outings, etc.
• You can also rent the big top to organize your own event!

If you are interested and would like further information, please contact Yvette Challande:

floune@iprolink.ch
or 079 305 28 41