Pre-Pro 2020-21 Registration Packet

We believe now more than ever that connection to community, a belief in one’s own ability to make art, and regular physical activity are vitally important to the health of our youth.

In a normal year, Circus Center’s Pre-Professional Youth Program is a yearlong training program in which students are asked to commit to the entire year. We all know that in this time of uncertainty, that is not a reasonable expectation so we will be planning and enrolling students 5 weeks at a time. Each 5 week session will have a set weekly schedule of classes and instructors, allowing students to progress over the course of the year as some new specialty skills and instructors are introduced each month, while the core of instructors listed below remain the same. Our goal in planning each session will be with an eye toward maintaining skills, focusing on the training that can be done effectively online, and strengthening our community bonds until we can all train in-person together again.

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.

2020-2021 Program Overview

Circus Center’s Pre-Professional training coaches are committed to offering well-organized and fun training to the students who enroll each month. Each day will involve ensemble time together to warm up and cool down, and then smaller break out groups with instructors to work on flexibility, conditioning, handstands, acrobatics, juggling, hula hoop, performance skills and more. Super Novas and Youth Circus students will be given 6 adult rec online classes per 5 week session to be used on complementary training to support each student’s individual training goals (this is the opportunity for a contortion, juggling or handstand specialist to get additional training outside the program each week). This is not a replacement for training days missed, but in addition to their normal weekly training days.

In the level-specific information below we provide detailed information about the schedule, space requirements, equipment needs and more. Circus Center is committed to helping families stay connected during this difficult time so if after reviewing this packet you have any questions about technology, space limitations, equipment needs, school schedule, or other issues please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Parent Involvement and Orientation We encourage parents to be involved in their child’s training. It is important to us that you communicate problems, concerns, and special needs. We work very hard to meet each child’s unique needs. We can only do this if we have a full picture of what is going on with each student. In the fall as the program commences, we have orientations for the parents and students in each level. This year orientation for each level will take place on the first day of training, on Zoom. We go over schedules and expectations for the year. This is also a great time to meet the coaches as well as other parents of students in the program and ask questions about these uncertain times of the COVID Pandemic. If a parent is unable to attend orientation, it will be recorded and uploaded to the Youth Families Webpage for you to view.

YOUTH FAMILIES WEBPAGE www.circuscenter.org/Youth-Families Ever read an email but when you go back to look for it, it’s gone? Can’t remember who to ask or where to look? We’ve got you - The Youth Families Webpage exists solely for students and families of the Pre-Professional Department. This is your GO-TO for documentation, reminders, and to keep you as updated as possible during the year.

Rising Stars (Ages 8-14) Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-6:15pm 2 Day Training (5.5 hrs per week, 27.5 hrs per session) Price per 5wk session: $399 First day of training & Orientation: Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Example Weekly Schedule (this is representative of the variety and schedule of training. The schedule will change from month to month and this is not a guarantee of any particular specialty or instructor)

Equipment List: Each student must have on hand 3 scarves 3 juggling balls or bean bags 2 yoga blocks Yoga mat (preferably thick) (Links to recommended items are listed on the Youth Families Webpage if you do not already have your own, contact Circus Center if financial hardship is an issue and we may be able to provide items on loan)

Super Novas (Ages 9-15) Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-6:15pm 3 Day Training (8.25 hrs per week, 41.25hrs per session) Price per 5wk session: $599 6 adult rec online classes are given per 5wk session to be used as complementary training First day of training & Orientation: Monday, August 31, 2020 Example Weekly Schedule (this is representative of the variety and schedule of training. The schedule will change from month to month and this is not a guarantee of any particular specialty or instructor)

Equipment List: Everyone must have on hand unless otherwise noted **CC can loan item 3 bean bags 3 scarves 4 bean bags (Intermediate jugglers) Pack of thera-band loops Clubs (Intermediate jugglers) 1 Hula Hoop Rolla Bolla (Specialists) 2 yoga blocks 2 Sliders Yoga Mat (preferably thick) (Links to recommended items are listed on the Youth Families Webpage if you do not already have your own. Contact Circus Center if financial hardship is an issue and we may be able to provide items on loan)

Youth Circus (Ages 10-18) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 3:30-6:15pm 3 Day Training (8.25 hrs per week, 41.25hrs per session) Price per 5wk session: $599 6 adult rec online classes are given per 5wk session to be used as complementary training First day of training & Orientation: Monday, August 31, 2020 Example Weekly Schedule (this is representative of the variety and schedule of training. The schedule will change from month to month and this is not a guarantee of any particular specialty or instructor)

Equipment List: *only certain students need this item, **CC an loan this item 1 Hula Hoop ** Ankle weights (2.5 lbs) 1 Hoop Diving hoop */** Wrist weights (2.5 lbs) 2 yoga blocks Yoga Mat (preferably thick) 1 Panel Mat (5x10)** Juggling clubs*/** 3 Juggling Balls/Bean Bags 2 Additional juggling balls/bean bags* (Links to recommended items are posted on the Youth Families Webpage if you do not already have your own. Contact Circus Center if financial hardship is an issue and we may be able to provide items on loan) 5

San Francisco’s Circus Center Pre-Professional Training Team

Xiaohong Weng - Acrobatics: 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 Chinese Pole, 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.

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.

Ashe Giovanni – Acrobatics and Tissu: Ashe Giovanni was an athlete and advanced drama student in school before she discovered circus. She started performing as a professional aerialist, showgirl and fire performer in 2009. Starting in Michigan with a local circus company, she went on to tour nationally and then co-found Bangarang Circus; a performing troupe and instructional school based in Grand Rapids. As an improvisational actress, she was one of the original members of the now worldwide interactive dinner theater company, The Murder Mystery Company. Ashe has trained and performed an extensive variety of aerial and ground skills such as (Tissu, Lyra, Corde Lisse, Static Trapeze, Sling, Straps, Aerial Cube, Partner & Group Acrobatics, Hula Hoop, Juggling, Clowning, Fire spinning and eating.) As a Certified TRX instructor, she fuses her circus and fitness training together in her teaching, which takes conditioning for circus arts to a whole new level.

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.

Miriam Telles - Trapeze: As a native San Franciscan, Miriam remembers the thrill of going to Pickle Family Circus shows as a child. In her youth and teen years she was a competitive gymnast and didn’t find circus until after college. She began with flying trapeze and expanded into training on other aerial apparatuses, although trapeze is still her main love. She began her training at Circus Center in 2001 and later went on to train with Serenity Smith, founder of NECCA. She has been an aerial instructor at Circus Center since 2006. She performed with Vau de Vire, Earth Circus, Paradox Productions, and Trapeze World from 2005-2013. In 2013, she had her son, Rowan. She has always enjoyed working with kids and after having one of her own she has an even greater appreciation for how special it is to be in a position to nurture the talents of her young students at Circus Center. She feels privileged to coach these kids and witness their progress as young athletes and performers.

Session Schedule and Pricing FALL TERM: Sessions are sold and enrolled in 5 week segments during these uncertain times of a pandemic. The below schedule and pricing is based on online-only training, if we are permitted to return to the building, we will provide additional information as quickly as we can.

Rising Stars (Ages 8-14) Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-6:15pm 2 Day Training (5.5 hrs per week, 27.5 hrs per session) Price per 5wk session: $399

Super Novas (Ages 9-15) Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-6:15pm 3 Day Training (8.25 hrs per week, 41.25hrs per session) Price per 5wk session: $599

Youth Circus (Ages 10-18) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 3:30-6:15pm 3 Day Training (8.25 hrs per week, 41.25hrs per session) Price per 5wk session: $599

SESSION DATES: Fall Session 1: Aug 31- Oct 2 (no class Labor Day Sept 7) Fall Session 2: Oct 5- Nov 6 Fall Session 3: Nov 9- Dec 18 (no class Thanksgiving Week Nov 23-27) There will be a Winter Performance to culminate the end of the fall session

Registration Deadline: One week prior to each session start date

Fees and Payment Policy With the decreased commitment of month-to-month enrollment, we do not anticipate that program withdrawal issues will be a serious concern. All services must be paid in full at the time of registration, in advance of any service being utilized. In general the monthly enrollments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Specific case-by-case exceptions may be determined by management, typically only in medical situations when accompanied by a doctor’s note.

Participation Policies

Attendance Policy Circus Center’s Pre-Professional students are expected to make a commitment to this 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. Missing class hampers students’ progress in their training, and they will be less prepared to begin training in person using circus center equipment and performing larger skills.

During this extended global crisis, Circus Center will continue to have high expectations of students without being punitive about the attendance policy during online training. Unlike our advanced camps where attendance was not an expectation, we do expect that students enrolling in our pre professional training during the academic year attend the program. Except where prevented by technological limitations, coaches expect that cameras are kept on so that appropriate monitoring and feedback can be provided at all times during training.

Any student that chooses to NOT train online with their level if that is the only training option, will be required to undergo a strength evaluation by their Head Coach in order to train in-person when it's available. Waiting for in-person training only does not guarantee that student a spot for in-person training. If a student misses a 5 week session of online training, it is not only detrimental to their physical progress, but their placement for in-person training will be at the discretion of their head Coach, per their strength evaluation.

Discipline Policy Students in the Youth Program are expected to adhere to the following rules whether training online or in-person.

● RESPECT instructors and fellow students. ● RESPECT the space and equipment, whether online or in-person at Circus Center. ● Practice safe behavior at all times. ● Wear appropriate attire (see dress policy)

● When in person at Circus Center, do not touch circus equipment without the permission of an instructor. ● Put forth your best effort at all times. ● Follow the structure of class and participate in all aspects of class. ● During in-person training at Circus Center, do not use phones during training time unless an instructor gives you permission to take a picture or video for training purposes.

For minor disciplinary incidents, students will be given a verbal warning. If a student receives 3 verbal warnings in one class day, they will be asked to sit out for the duration of the current activity or the remainder of the class (depending on the seriousness of the infraction). For a serious or dangerous disciplinary incident, a student may be asked to sit out of class immediately. During online training, the student will be dismissed from the training room for the day. Parents will be notified when students are asked to sit out of class or dismissed from the training day. If a student is asked to sit out of class three times, the student will be put on probation.

Probation A student may be put on probation for attendance or discipline issues. Please see the Attendance Policy and Discipline Policy for details. When a student is put on probation, a meeting will be arranged for the parents, student and head coach (safely done in a zoom meeting during COVID). During this meeting an action plan will be developed. If the student follows the action plan, after one month they will be back in normal standing. However, if a student has an infraction while on probation, they will be removed from performances for that term. If an additional infraction occurs, the student will be asked to leave the program. No refunds are given in this situation.

Dress Policy During training, whether online or in-person, students must adhere to the pre-professional program dress policy by having their hair tied up away from the face. This is especially important now when training in-person, as brushing hair out of the face constantly while training could be a potential germ spreading habit. Braids are highly recommended. Students should wear form-fitting activewear. Students should have tights or pants that can cover their knees to avoid burns. No jeans or jewelry are allowed at any time. Girls who need bras should wear sports bras.

Circus Nutrition

Students should eat a healthy snack before class that will help to fuel their bodies during training. Circus is extremely physically demanding, and students need to eat a snack with protein and healthy carbohydrates prior to training. Please make sure that your child has good food options between school and circus training. Some examples of good snacks include: an apple and nuts, a hard-boiled egg and a banana, edamame and fruit, berries and yogurt, and the quickest and easiest is protein bars. Chips, cookies, and candy are NOT good to eat before training. Nutrition is not just important before training. It is vital that students are getting the nutrients they need, especially for our upper level students who are training multiple days a week. Please be sure that your child is eating a varied diet that includes protein, multigrains, and produce.

Please be sure to fill out the following documents if you enroll in the 2020-2021 Pre-Professional Program before your students first day of training. You will find these on the Youth-Families Webpage after you enroll.

1. Emergency Contact Information 2. Media Release 3. Online Liability Waiver