SF Youth Circus 2019 – 2020 Registration Packet

Overview of Circus Center’s Pre-Professional Youth Program Circus Center’s Pre-Professional Youth Program is a yearlong training program. Students ​ are asked to commit to the entire year. The program is open to students ages 7–18 ​ (exceptions for skilled younger students may be made). Students build a solid foundation in the basic skills of circus, including strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Our Pre-Professional Youth Program has three levels: Rising Stars, Super Novas and the Youth Circus.

For those students who want it and work for it, Circus Center’s Pre-Professional Youth Program has a long history of preparing young people for elite training and careers in the circus. Even for students who do not pursue a career in the circus, the exposure to high-level training builds discipline, commitment, and confidence that will serve them well in any path they choose.

San Francisco Youth Circus (ages 10-18) – The San Francisco Youth Circus is Circus ​ Center’s youth performance troupe. Ensemble members receive professional-caliber circus training. Most Youth Circus members focus on one specialty. In addition to training their ​ specialty at an advanced level, students continue enhancing their tumbling, , and performance skills. SF Youth Circus members also grow as artists as they focus more on act development and perform at events throughout the year.

● Students are required to complete 100 hours of training over the summer to prepare for the school year ● From September-May, Youth Circus students attend weekly classes on Monday and ​ Wednesday from 4:00-6:25pm, Friday 4:00-7:25pm and are required to train on their own an additional day each week ● The SF Youth Circus present a group ground act in the Winter Showcase ● In the Spring, the SF Youth Circus presents a fully produced circus show ● Students have 12 allowed absences for September-May

San Francisco Youth Circus Leadership Team

Abigail Munn – Education Director, Interim Youth Program Director: An accomplished ​ ​ dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Abigail holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. She made her first appearance in the ring as a child with San Francisco’s . She has since performed with Lone Star Circus, Zoppé Italian Family Circus, New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque, to name a few. Abigail was featured in the New York Times for Alma Esperanza Cunningham’s work “Princess.” She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Circus Bella, where she has conceived, produced, and directed most of its productions for the past eleven years.

Xiaohong Weng - Head Coach, : Xiaohong Weng started training in gymnastics ​ ​ at the age of 7, before he joined the famed Nanjing Acrobatics Troupe. He had 4 years of professional training in gymnastics and was a high level competitive gymnast in China. He joined the circus and learned many traditional Chinese acrobatics acts, such as , Chair-balancing, Hoop Diving, Chinese Lion Dance, and Partner Hand-balancing. As a skilled tumbler and hand-balancer, Xiaohong has performed extensively in China, the USA, and internationally. For the last decade he has been a senior instructor at Circus Center. He currently performs with Jennings McCown in an elegant double hand-to-hand acrobatics act.

Colin Davis-Chinese Pole, Hoop Diving, Tumbling: Colin Davis trained and performed in ​ the Youth Circus at Circus Center (tumbling, hoop diving, pole, , juggling, trumpet) ages 11-19 years old. From age 19-21 Colin trained at the national (hoop diving, pole, ) in Montreal, Quebec. From age 22-25 he performed in Sequence 8, a 7 Fingers show (M.C., Hoop Diving). He now spends his time teaching and performing at home in San Francisco and abroad.

Elena Panova – Trapeze: Born in Murom, Russia, Elena Panova is a graduate of Moscow's ​ Circus and Variety College, where she specialized as an aerialist. Under the guidance of the famous training tandem of Tereza Durova and Viktor Fomin, she created a groundbreaking swinging trapeze act that redefined swinging trapeze as it is performed today all over the world. Elena won a gold medal and the Ministry of Culture award at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris in 1987, and the gold medal at the 1988 All-Union Circus Artists Competition of the USSR. For over twenty years, she has performed in major circuses and variety and theater shows on four continents, including the Moscow Circus, Circus Knie, the Cirque d'Hiver-Bouglione in Paris, Circus Carré in Amsterdam, the Victorian Arts Center in Melbourne, and the Big Apple Circus. She has also been a judge several times at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris. Elena moved to the United States in 1991. She started teaching at Circus Center in 2004.

Serchmaa Byamba- : Serchmaa’s career in Contortion started in 1989 when ​ she went to Russia to perform in front of thousand for the very first time. Since then she performed with “Mandukhai” Mongolian Ethnic Ensemble and traveling circus “Urguu” and Mongolian Ethnic dance and music ensemble “Jamukha” in many countries including Russia, Poland, Korea, Japan, China, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Pakistan, France, Mexico and United States of America. In October 16th of 1992, while performing in Germany with “Urguu” circus troupe, Serchmaa was invited to participate in European Youth Circus Festival in Weistbaden, Germany. More than 35 countries sent their top circus performers including four other contortion acts from Nederland, Hamburg, Belgium and Hungary. Serchmaa was the only and still is, Asian ever to be invited to participate in European Youth Circus Festival and she won the “Golden Elephant” award and named the golden girl of Contortion. In 1998, Serchmaa moved to USA following her husband and later in the year, was invited to be the part of traveling circus “Cirque Ingeniuex”. Serchmaa performed with the circus for a year and decided not to continue on with the circus tours, but to stay close to her family in San Francisco, CA. After settling in, Serchmaa started performing as an independent contractor and she appeared in many individual shows and performed as a part of circus shows, including numerous TV talk shows, Tom Cruise movie “Minority Report”, Will Smith’s “Pursuit of Happiness”, San Francisco Black and White Ball, Mongolian Cultural event In New York city, “the Bird House” circus performance, fire ballet “Odyssey” by Crucible, TV show “30 minutes to fame”, fashion clothing line “Dema” and “Cirque de Oy Vey”.

Chloe Axelrod- and Flexibility: Chloe Marvel Light Axelrod is a powerhouse ​ performance artist whose talents have carried her around the world. She has performed for a variety of acclaimed companies in world-class productions in places such as San Francisco, Tokyo, Osaka, Atlantic City, Leipzig, and the Dominican Republic. Chloe is known for her dynamic performance style, full of high-level acrobatic and aerial skills combined with effortless grace and incredible form. Chloe began training under Master Lu Yi at the San Francisco School of Circus Arts (now Circus Center) when she was 14 years old. A stand out in the prestigious Youth Circus Training Program, she was trained in floor acrobatics, hand balancing, partner acrobatics, teeterboard, , and acrobatic bungee. As an adult, Chloe began to train and perform as an aerial hoop artist, specializing in both solo and duo. Today, she excels in multiple aerial disciplines, including hoop, straps, cube and . She is revered for both her solo and partner acts in the air, as well as on the floor. Trained by the acclaimed coach, Serchmaa Byamba, in contortion, she is also recognized as an accomplished ground performer. Two years ago, Chloe developed an Acro Chair act that can be performed solo or with her partner, Kerri Kresinski. In addition to her many years of training and performance, Chloe is also a teacher and mentor to many in the Bay Area Circus Community. Responsible for the development of several internationally recognized partner aerial acts, she offers private lessons to individuals at all levels - from the recreational beginner to the elite performer. Teaching the marvel of circus, and sharing with her students and her audience her passion of art and acrobatics, is what makes watching and working with Chloe such a delight!

Jeremy Vik – Juggling and Balance: Jeremy Vik came to Circus Center in 2004 and ​ graduated from the Clown Conservatory (directed by Jeff Raz) in 2005. Realizing that clowning is the hardest thing on Earth, he returned to acting and spent 5 years performing around the Bay in mostly Shakespeare and Musical Theatre. Then in 2010, he returned to Circus Center and completed the Professional Acrobatics Program, specializing in Handstands. Jeremy has performed for the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Shotgun Players, Goldenthread Productions, Marin Shakespeare Company, 42nd St. Moon, Virago Theatre Company, and many more. In addition to acting, Jeremy performs chair balancing and juggling all over the Bay. He has performed with Circus Bella, Sweet Can Productions, the Clown Cabaret, and more. Jeremy has a BFA in Performance from Southern Oregon University and is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.

SF Youth Circus 2019-2020 Calendar

Below is a full list of important dates. While we hope to stick to this schedule, changes may be necessary. Please add these dates to your personal calendar. Be sure to note on your ​ ​ ​ registration form any schedule conflicts you foresee.

FALL TERM: August 26 – December 20 ​ ​ ● Youth Circus Fall Session begins: Monday, August 26 ​ ● Youth Circus Parent and Student Orientation: Wednesday, August 28, 4:00-6:20 pm ​ (parents join at 5:00) ● No class for Labor Day: Monday, September 2 ​ ● YC & SN Gig (Cole Valley Fair): Sunday, September 29, 10:00 am-5:00 pm ​ ● No Class for Private Event Closure: Wednesday, October 16 ​ ● Youth Circus Parent Observation Day: Wednesday, October 23, 5:00-6:25 pm ​ ● YC Rehearsal for Winter Showcase: TBD (we should be able to announce within 10 ​ days) ● No Class for Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November ​ 29 ● YC Rehearsal for Winter Showcase: ​ ○ Friday, December 13, 4-9 pm ● Winter Showcase Performances: ○ Saturday, December 14: Call 1:00 pm, Show 7:30 pm ○ Sunday, December 15: Call 12:00 pm, Show 2:00 pm ● Last Day of Youth Circus before Winter Break: December 20 ​

WINTER/SPRING TERM: January 6 – May 29 ● SF Youth Circus Resume: Monday, January 6 ​ ● Mid-Year Evaluations: January 13-17 during class ​ ● Parent Teacher Conferences: January-February ​

● Mandatory for Youth Circus – Circus Careers Group Discussion: Friday, February 7, ​ 6:30-8 pm ● Youth Circus Parent Observation Day: Friday, February 14 from 5:00-6:25 pm ​ ● No Class for Spring Break: Friday, March 27 & Monday, March 30 ​ ● No Class for Easter/Passover Break: Friday, April 10 & Monday, April 13 ​

About the SF Youth Circus Show: We are still working on the rehearsal and performance plan for the SF Youth Circus Spring 2020 show. We should be able to announce the plan within 10 days. At this point, the schedule you were previously provided is our current best thinking:

● Youth Circus Rehearsals for Spring Show: ○ Saturday, March 7, 4-8 pm ○ Saturday, March 14, 4-8 pm ○ Saturday, March 21, 4-8 pm ○ Saturday, March 28, 4-8 pm ○ Saturday, April 4, 4-8 pm ○ Saturday April 18, 4-8 pm ○ Saturday April 25, 4-8 pm ○ Saturday May 2, 4-8 pm ● Tech Schedule for Youth Circus Show: ○ Monday, May 4, 4-8 pm - Tech ○ Wednesday, May 6, 4-8 pm – Invited Dress Rehearsal ● Performances for Youth Circus Show: ○ Thursday, May 7 – Call time 4:00 pm, Show 7:00 pm ○ Friday, May 8- Call time 4:00 pm, Show 7:00 pm ○ Saturday, May 9 – Call time 11:00 am, Shows at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

● No Class for Memorial Day: Monday, May 25 ​ ● Youth Circus/ Youth Circus Pizza Party: Friday, May 22, 4-6:30 pm ​ ● End of Year Youth Circus Parent Meeting: Friday May 22, 5:00-6:30 pm ​ ● End of Year All Pre Pro Pizza and Circus Movie Night: Friday, May 29 5:30-8:30 pm ​

SUMMER TERM: June 8 – August 14, 2020 ● End-of-Year Conferences: throughout June ​ ● Advanced Camp: Dates and exact plans TBD by November 1, 2019 ​

Attendance and Dress Policy

Circus Center’s Pre-Professional students are expected to make a commitment to this intense and time-consuming program. Circus is an extremely difficult and demanding discipline that requires time, dedication, and focus. Students must manage their time so that they are able to complete their schoolwork and family commitments while also making time for circus. This requires a commitment from the family as well. It is imperative that students attend all classes and rehearsals. Missing class hampers students’ progress in their training. Missing rehearsal slows down progress on the show and is unfair to the rest of the ensemble.

We understand that life happens and sometimes absences are necessary. Similar to adults in the workplace, students in our program are allotted a certain number of absences for the year. We hope that students will not need to use all of these. Absences may be used if the child is sick, has a mandatory school event, or an unavoidable family commitment. Students who miss more than their allotted absences will be put on Probation. If an additional absence occurs while on Probation, the student will not be able to perform in the show for that term. Additional absences while on Probation will result in the students being asked to leave the program. No refunds are given in this situation. Youth Circus ​ students are allowed 12 absences from September – May.

There are some dates throughout the year that are mandatory. These include the orientation, evaluations, performances, and tech and dress rehearsals leading up to performances. Absences may NOT be used for mandatory dates. If a student is absent on ​ a Mandatory date, they will automatically be put on probation. The exception is if the student is sick, has a religious holiday, or has a mandatory school commitment. In one of these cases, we expect a note from your doctor, religious community, or school. We encourage families to plan vacations and travel during our breaks. Please see the attached calendar for Mandatory Dates and Breaks.

We know that some students struggle to arrive on time for class due to commutes or late school dismissal. Students warm up from 4:00-4:30. Warming up is extremely important for safe training. If your child will regularly be arriving late, please be sure to note this in the registration form. If your child is unable to arrive by 4:20 pm, this is not the program for ​ them. It is unsafe and disruptive to training to have students arriving past 4:20 pm. ​ We understand this is a strict policy. However, this commitment is necessary for us to effectively train students at a high level. This program is NOT for everyone. If this seems

beyond what you are able to commit to, we encourage you to consider training in our Adult or Youth Recreational Program which has a variety of classes and levels.

All students in our pre professional programs should wear form- fitting activewear and are expected to be clean. Students should have tights or pants that can cover their knees to avoid burns. No jeans or jewelry are allowed at any time. Hair must be tied back and away from face. Braids are highly recommended. Girls who need bras should wear sports bras.

Fees and Payment Policy

● SF Youth Circus Tuition (required): $6500 All production expenses are included in your tuition. Additional classes/workshops, performance face makeup, undergarments, and shoes are not included and will need to be purchased separately. ● Uniform/Costume Fee (required): $100 This fee helps to cover the cost of costumes for the shows throughout the year and includes a t-shirt and troupe jacket that will be provided by circus center for each student to keep.

Payment Dates August 8, 2019 $500 (Deposit)

September 3, 2019 $2200 (First Tuition Installment & Uniform/Costume Fee, Registration Form Due)

December 2, 2019 $2275 (Second Tuition Installment)

January 27, 2020 $1625 (Final Tuition Installment)

Program Withdrawal Enrollment in Circus Center’s Youth Program runs from August 26 through May 29, and once committed, students are expected to participate in the complete program. It doesn’t happen often, but unforeseen events can lead to withdrawal from the Youth Program.

Withdrawal Date and Associated Terms: ● Aug. 8 – Sept. 30: Any paid tuition will be refunded in full, less the nonrefundable $500 deposit and $100 uniform fee.

● Oct. 1 – Dec. 20: Tuition will be prorated to 50% of total fees and will be due payable immediately, less the nonrefundable $500 deposit and $100 uniform fee. ● Dec. 21 - May 29: Any remaining tuition balance will be due payable immediately. No refunds.

Financial Assistance Circus Center has a limited amount of need-based financial aid available to qualifying students. Applications are available online at http://circuscenter.org/tuition-assistance. ​ ​ Please complete by August 1 for priority consideration.

Discounts - Discounts cannot be stacked. One discount per family please. ​ ● Advance Full Pay: Families who pay in full by August 23 will receive a 5% discount. ​ ● Sibling: Families with more than one child enrolled in our Youth Program (includes ​ Recreational and Pre-Professional Programs) receive a 5% discount on the younger child's/children's tuition.