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.