THE GREAT ALL-AMERICAN YOUTH CIRCUS

2019-2020 Circus Class Pre-Requisites Guide

Expectations:  All strength/skills must be performed with good form (pointed toes, straight legs, no beating, etc.)  You must be able to perform each strength/skill without help  If you fail to keep good form during a strength/skill – it WILL NOT be counted

Non-Evaluation Classes

Mini Acro (class max: 16 at each level) Level I Group: 3-4 years of age Must be potty-trained Comfortable in a large group Parent participation is required in this class

Level II Group: 4-5 years of age Comfortable in a large group Able to support own body weight on hands with help Comfortable with having parents out of the room

Level III Group: 5-6 years of age Comfortable in a large group Able to support own body weight on hands with help Comfortable with having parents out of the room

Balloon Art (class max: 20) Minimum age 7 Must be able to tie a knot in an inflated balloon w/out assistance Will perform as part of Intermission and PreShow

Beginning Juggling (class max: 15) Minimum age 8

Beginning Unicycle (class max: 25) Ages 7-21 Must wear close-toed shoes in class at all times Must purchase own unicycle by January 1st

Beginning Teeterboard (class max: 20) Ages 8-21 Must wear close-toed shoes in class at all times

Beginning Wire (class max: 20) Ages 6-21

Aerial Workout Non-Performing (class max: 20) Class will focus on working on Circus-related strength both in the fitness gym and on aerial equipment; participants may also learn basic aerial apparatus tricks. Minimum age 10

Adult Circus Essentials Non-Performing (class max: 30) Class will focus on the introduction of multiple Circus acts such as Juggling, Unicycle, Wire, Handbalancing, Acro, Tumbling, Aerial Skills, Teeterboard, and Chinese Pole. Minimum age 16

Circus Hand Arts (class max: 25) Class will focus on teaching hand arts such as poi, hula hoops, spinning plates, rhythmic ribbon, and ground skills. Minimum age 8

Circus Essentials (class max: 30) Class includes beginning levels of Handbalancing Skills, Tumbling, & Acro. Classes will focus on strength, endurance, and skill building. Essentials 1 = 1st – 5th grade Essentials 2 = 6th – 12th grade

Intro to Acro (class max: 20) Class will focus on introducing the basics of Acro positions, skills, and tricks. For ages 6-11

Roman Ladders (class max: 20) Ages 6-12

Beginning Level Ground Acts

Beginning Risley (class max: 12 pairs) Minimum age 8 Must have 1 yr previous experience in Circus Essentials or Acro Strongly encouraged to come to evaluations and register into class with a partner 10 V-ups 10 push-ups 20 second hollow body hold 20 second plank hold Foot bird w/ proper form Back bird w/ proper form 10 tacky chair push-ups

Clowning (class max: 8) Minimum age 12 Must perform a 45 sec audition - Can include music or not; can use props or not; solo auditions only Must be willing to take a pie to the face Willing to not care about what people think about how you act Must be able to step out of the box Able to take the stairs vs. the elevator in the event of a fire

Character Work – ‘Haunted Circus’ (class max: 8) Class will focus on ‘haunt style’ performance for the Friday before Halloween at the Highland YMCA. Learn the art of frightening all ages – a completely unique style of audience participation performance! This class will conclude in the end of October. Minimum age 7 Must be ready to improvise a ‘promoted character’ and scenario that will be given at the time of the audition

Magic (class max: 8) Minimum age 12 Must perform a 45 sec audition - Can include music or not; can use props or not; solo auditions only - Will be looking for good stage presentation

Pyramid Acro Level I (class max: 30) Minimum age 7 Previous Circus Essentials or Acro experience preferred Strength Requirements 15 v-ups 15 push-ups 15 second hollow body 15 second bird position on floor Skill/Trick Requirements Tops: Cartwheel w/ proper form Hold a proper bridge Climb and hold a totem position on base Candlestick with proper form Bases: 20 second deep squat w/ top in totem position (top standing on upper thighs) Base a candlestick w/ proper form

Beginning/Intermediate Handbalancing (class max: 12) Minimum age 12 1 yr. previous Circus experience 25 push ups 25 V-ups 30 second hollow body hold 30 second plank 1 good split Straddle wider than 90’ Hold a good bridge for 15 seconds One 30 second handstand (off the wall) 3 consistent 10 second handstands (off the wall) 20 second tiger/elbow stand 15 second croc

Intermediate Level Ground Acts

Pyramid Bike (class max: 10-12) Minimum age 10 Must have 1 year previous experience in Pyramid Acro Unicycle experience preferred Run/skip for 3 minutes Must wear converse-type shoes to every practice NO EXCEPTIONS Strength Requirements 15 squats 20 second hollow body hold

Intermediate Diabolo (class max: open) Minimum age 8 1 yr. previous Circus experience preferred Must be self-motivated to work Toss & catch the Diabolo 3 consecutive times @ heights up to 6’ w/o dropping Able to spin the Diabolo for 2 mins. w/o dropping

Intermediate Stilts (class max: 15) Ages 8-21 Comfortable with heights up to 10ft Must wear close-toed shoes in class at all times Must provide your own knee pads (if needed) Able to take direction and maintain good behavior during class Able to put on Stilts in less than 3 minutes Comfortable walking forwards, sideways, and backwards Able to perform 3 tricks given to you by the Trainer at evaluation Intermediate German Wheel (class max: 10) Minimum age 13 1 yr. previous experience in Aerial, Tumbling or Handbalancing Must wear closed-toed shoes in class at all times 4 Tuck ups 3 Pull ups Must be tall enough to fit in the wheel with bent arms Cartwheel on the floor with good form Able to roll in the wheel in a controlled manner Hold a handstand against the wall in good form for 30 sec

Intermediate/Advanced Juggling (class max: 15) Minimum age 9 Must be self-motivated to work Able to juggle 3 balls without struggling Able to pass 6 balls Must have a good start on Juggling Clubs

Intermediate Risley (class max: 12 pairs) Minimum age 8 Must have 1 yr previous experience Circus Essentials or Acro Strongly encouraged to come to evaluations and register into class with a partner 30 second plank hold 30 second hollow body hold 20 second side plank hold Side star w/ good form Star (shoulder stand) w/ good form Straddle throne w/ good form

Intermediate Teeterboard (class max: 16) Minimum age 9 Must have 1 year of prior teeterboard experience w/ additional tumbling and trampoline preferred -Summer Circus or Camp experience not counted -No belt experience needed -Past behavior and commitment in class will also be considered Must be willing to learn to hit and help spot timers as able Off the teeterboard, must show good form, control, and strength with basic jumps. Off the teeterboard, must be able to land in a controlled manner. It will be noted if the student is comfortable with front or side flips.

Intermediate Unicycle (class max: 20) Minimum age 8 Must wear close-toed shoes in class at all times Must have & bring your own unicycle at all times Must have good attendance to classes Able to mount unassisted Ride full length of basketball court with control & good form Ride forward in all directions in a controlled manner Able to hover with at least one foot Able to ride backwards Able to ride a figure 8

Pyramid Acro Level 2 (class max: 30) Minimum age 8 1 year previous Acro or Tumbling Tops: 25 V ups 15 push-ups 30 second hollow body hold Cartwheel with proper form Bases: 25 v ups 20 push-ups 30 second hollow body 12 deep squats with top on back Lift top into overhead pike position Both: Candlestick Step-up OR pop-up standing two high, & dismount. Overall tightness, form, awareness, and attentiveness

Advanced Level Ground Acts

Advanced Diabolo (class max: open) Minimum age 8 1 yr. previous Circus experience preferred Must be self-motivated to work Toss & catch the Diabolo 3 consecutive times @ heights up to 6’ w/o moving feet Magic knot Double cradle 3 suns Any of the following tricks (suicidal bridge, suicidal sun, infinite suicide, etc.) Any advanced trick (around a body part, waltz, hurricane, etc.

Advanced Risley (class max 10 pairs) Minimum age 10 Strength: 3 side star presses (no hand connection, hand on leg is okay) 5 bird presses (no hand connection) 15 second headstand 10 push-ups 15 low boat leg lifts Tricks/Skills: Hands-free side star on both sides (hand on leg is okay) Reverse star Hands-free star (shoulder stand) 10 second low foot to hand hold (flyer cannot hold feet) Extended foot to hand (can box up into) Foot to hand transition to bird (flyer cannot use hands) *No-hands back straddle (entrance from standing, no hand connection)

Advanced Unicycle (class max: 20) Minimum age 10 Minimum 1-2 yrs Intermediate Unicycle experience Must have good attendance to classes Figure 8 backwards Comfortable turning backwards Perform 1 specialty mount (riders choice) Comfortable moving forward & backward on a giraffe unicycle Perform 90* turns forwards and backwards Hover 360* Perform running mounts in controlled manner

Advanced Teeterboard (class max: 16) Minimum age 10 Must have at least 2 years of Teeterboard experience -Priority will be given to performers committed to the act in previous years Must be willing to hit, spot, catch and fly Must be willing to work on new tricks, both in belts and on the timer board Must demonstrate a back flip in a spotting belt with good form, control, and landing

Elite Handbalancing (class max: 15) Minimum age 10 1 year previous experience Intermediate/Advanced Handbalancing 3 consistent 30 second hand stands off the wall Hold a 1 minute handstand off the wall Able to change leg positions while upside down w/ control Able to balance on various equipment of differing heights w/ control Straddle press to handstand (girls) Must be able to balance on a partner (girls) Must be able to base other balancers w/ control (guys)

Pyramid Acro Level 3 (class max: 30) (It is expected that you have already learned these skills. They will not be taught during evaluations) Minimum age 9 1 yr previous Circus experience (Acro, Tumbling, or Aerial) Tops: 3 consecutive handstand, straddle up, forward rolls Top/Base: Overhead bird Pop up 2 foot landing, Y scale, & dismount Strength requirements: 35 V-ups 20 push-ups 40 second hollow body hold

Beginning Level Aerial Acts

Beginning Hammock (class max: 12) Ages 8-21 Must be willing to learn choreography 10 Scissors 3 Pull-Ups Good center split/straddle L or R Split Hold a good bridge for 15 seconds

Beginning/Intermediate Lyra (class max: 10) Ages 10-21 1 year beginning level aerial experience preferred Must be comfortable with heights up to 25' Must be comfortable with spinning 3 pull-ups 30 second dead hang 2 toe touches 1 pull-over Close to having right, left, or center split

Beginning Ribbon (class max: 10) Ages 10-21 Must be comfortable with spinning Must be comfortable w/ heights up to 15ft 1 Climb 2 Toe Touches 3 Pull-Ups L or R Split Hold a bridge for 15 seconds

Beginning Aerial Combo (class max: 20) Ages 8-18 Must be comfortable w/ heights up to 12ft Comfortable with heights up to 15ft Able to take direction and maintain good behavior during class Hang from hands for 15 seconds 3 Tuck ups (knees over the bar)

Multiple Trapeze (class max: 24) Ages 8-21 1 year beginning level aerial experience preferred Must be comfortable with heights up to 25ft 2 pull ups 30 second dead hang 3 tuck ups 5 scissors Close to having right, left, or center splits

Swinging Ladders (class max: 36) Ages 7-12 Comfortable with heights up to 15ft Able to take direction and maintain good behavior during class Hang from hands for 15 seconds

Intermediate Level Aerial Acts

Balance Perch Pole (max: 4 tops, 4 bases) Ages 8-13 1 year experience in Aerial & Acro/Handbalancing preferred Must be comfortable with heights up to 30ft 3 pull-ups 1 good split (Right, left, or center)

Multilane Cradle (class max: 18 flyers & middles, 16 bases) Flyers/Middles: Minimum age 9 1 year beginning aerial or intermediate aerial experience Must be comfortable with heights up to 15’ 2 in & outs with progression to 3 3 pull ups without help 2 leg lifts to vertical position Bases: Minimum age 14 1 year Intermediate Level aerial experience Must be comfortable with heights up to 15’ Must be willing to spot during classes Hang from hands for 30 secs without help 4 pull ups OR 5 pull-ups hanging from cradle w/ an 80lb flyer 10 sit-ups on Cradle

Advanced Level Aerial Acts

Hanging Perch (class max :12) Comfortable with heights up to 30 ft. Flyers: Minimum age 12 1 yr. Intermediate aerial experience 1 rope climb 2 in & outs 3 pull ups 3 straddle-overs 3 toe touches Good air awareness Must have R or L splits Bases: Minimum age 16 1 year Intermediate aerial experience 4 pull ups 3 in & outs 3 straddle-overs 3 toe touches Climb rope to top of perch w/ ease Must have R or L splits

Advanced Ribbon (class max: 14) Minimum age 12 1-2 years Intermediate Aerial experience preferred Must be comfortable with heights up to 25' Must be comfortable with spinning 2 consecutive rope climbs 5 upside-down pull ups 3 pull-ups 3 straddle ups 3 toe touches Must have left OR right split

Single Trapeze (Class max 10) Minimum age 12 At least 1-year intermediate level II aerial experience required Must have great air awareness 5 pull-ups 5 toe touches (straight legs, toes touching the bar) 4 pull-overs Hang from the bar for 30 seconds Must have left or right splits

Aerial Cube (class max: 12) Minimum age 14 1 year intermediate aerial experience 3 pull-ups 3 ins and outs 2 pull-overs 3 toe touches

Advanced Lyra (class max: 10) Minimum age 13 Min. 1 year Intermediate aerial experience required Must be have good air awareness & must be comfortable with spinning Must have R or L Splits 5 pull ups 30 sec. straight arm hang 4 straddle-overs 5 toe touches 2 pull-overs Able to go from hanging to sitting with ease

Duo Cradle (class max: 9 tops 9 bases) Minimum age 16 2-3 yrs Advanced Aerial experience required Comfortable with heights up to 30’ Flyers: 5 Ins & Outs 5 Pull-Ups BOTH right & left splits 10 upside down pull-ups 5 Toe Touches 5 high & 5 low scissors 5 quality beats on an experienced base Perform a 20-25 second wrist hang Bases: Prefer 2 years of multilane cradle base experience 15 consecutive pull-ups with a flyer (approx.120 lbs) 15 consecutive sit-ups hanging off Cradle 5 quality beats with an experienced flyer Hang by Cradle from hands for 60 seconds Go from hanging by hands to sitting on Cradle 5 times Climb rope to Cradle with no feet OR 8-10 Pull-ups

Swinging Single Trapeze (class max: 8) Minimum age 14 Advanced Aerial experience required 1 Year trapeze experience preferred Comfortable with heights up to 30’ 7 pull ups 7 straight leg toe touches 7 straddle ups 7 continuous pullovers *Must arrange your own spotter, name of spotter must be given at evaluation. (No Spot, No Fly!)

******************Registration Information*****************

Age requirements MUST be met by the First Day of class, September 3rd.

Other class requirements not listed above:  Must be able to listen & follow directions  Must be courteous & respectful to Trainers & other participants  Must be willing to work hard to achieve skills  Must be able to demonstrate self-control and good behavior

Circus participants must be facility members of the Redlands Family YMCA in order to register for our Circus classes. Participants will not be permitted to continue in any Circus classes if their class fees have not been paid by the 10th of each month. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify; you can pick up a financial assistance application at our Front Desk. Please submit your application with appropriate documents to the front desk for processing.

No participant will be allowed to register for 2 classes during the same time on the same day. Participants are encouraged to “try out” for as many classes as they qualify for during skill evaluations. Participants are encouraged to prioritize their classes in order of preference during skill evaluations if classes are held at the same time period during the season.

Participants enrolling in multiple classes (up to 5 only) will need to wait until the end of skill evaluations week before registering for any classes.

On the day after each skill evaluation day, you will receive an email stating whether or not you were accepted into the class(es) you evaluated for.

ALL registrations will open on August 26th at 7am. There will not be registration for beginning level acts prior to skill evaluations.

Payment for the first month of all classes will be taken at registration. Circus fees are then required to be placed on EFT and will automatically draft on the 10th or the 25th of each month (you decide the date). Over the counter monthly payments must be approved by the Circus Director.