Our next zany and original youth circus production will take place on January 30 and 31, 2027 at the Madison Youth Arts Center! We will spend twelve weeks creating and polishing original circus acts. We will include aerial silks, trapeze, stilts, physical comedy, theater, juggling, German Wheel, tightwire, acrobatics, maybe some other disciplines. We tend to use a collaborative format that allows participants to learn about choreography, creative process and performance skills as they combine ideas with mentorship and guidance from professionals in the field. Proceeds will benefit our Wild Rumpus Circus Scholarship fund.
Who: Kids (10 and up) through adults, with prior wild rumpus circus experience (min. 2 weeks of circus camp or two prior weekly class sessions), and consent of directors.
When:
- SATURDAYS Oct. 10-Nov. 14 and Jan.9-23, tentatively 12-2 p.m. at the Rumpus Room for clowns, 2-4 p.m. for aerial/acro group.
- SUNDAYS Oct. 4- Nov. 15 and Jan. 3-24, 2-3:15, 3:30-4:45 and 5-6:30 at the Goodman Community Center for aerialists, stilt walkers, acrobats and jugglers.
- MONDAYS Oct 5-Nov. 16 and Jan. 5-26, 4:00-5:30 at Madison Circus Space for wire walkers and German Wheelers
Tech rehearsal will be Thursday evening, Jan. 28 and dress rehearsal will be Friday evening, Jan. 29. There will be matinee and evening performances at 2:30 and 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 and a matinee performance 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. Participants must be available for all tech/performance call times, and a minimum of nine (out of ten scheduled) weekly rehearsals between October 4 and January 26. Based on performers and coaches availability, some additional rehearsals may be scheduled during the 6-week holiday pause.
First-year performers are usually cast into one act or group, returning performers might be cast into more than one act. Plan for one rehearsal/week for each act the performer is cast into, and when you apply, please mention in the notes field which rehearsal blocks will and will not work for you. We will try to take all of that info into account when finalizing our casting and rehearsal schedules.
Where: Goodman Community Center, Madison (map), the Rumpus Room, AND the Madison Circus Space.
Cost: $325 for the 12-week workshop. Partial scholarships and work-study positions are available (thanks to past winter circuses!). Please inquire.
All participants must submit an application.
Date/Time
Date(s) - 11/21/2026
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
The Rumpus Room
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