Profile: Circus performer

The four-year Bachelor course at the Academy for Circus and Performance Art educates young people with sufficient talent and motivation for the profession of circus performer.

A contemporary circus performer finds work in the field of circus, a professional field that has evolved considerably, and that nowadays embraces various structures: circus, variety shows, street performances, site-specific work, events, circus-theatre, visual theatre, amusement parks, events, and more.

The term ‘contemporary circus’ includes not only the so-called ‘New Circus’ (which is often part of circus theatre), but also all present-day forms of circus art.

A professional circus performer is a highly-skilled artist, mastering one or two circus techniques at an exceptional level. In addition, he has extensive skills and knowledge in other art forms (dance, theatre, Performance Art, scenography, music), and is able to experiment, to mix up and to merge different art forms. He has mastered techniques of creation, in order to give distinguishable shape to his artistic work.

He works either as a solo performer or as a member of a group. He is able to perform both as interpreter and as author/creator of his own work. As his own entrepreneur, he is able to promote himself, to manage his professional career, and to position himself as an artist within society.