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Performance Camp (10-16yrs)

$800 Purchase required to enroll
Dates: July 14-18 AND July 21-25
Time: 9am-3pm, except on Thursday, July 24 (9am-7:30pm), plus additional opportunities (we do not provide after camp care)
Flexible drop off between 8:30-9am. This time is supervised open time where campers are expected and encouraged to be self-directed, with a formal start of programming at 9am.
Ages: 10-16 yrs

After registering for this camp, please fill out our camp registration form here.

Performance camp is designed for circusers who already have some experience with the circus arts who are excited about creation, performance, and community!

During performance camp we spend the first week practicing circus skills, creating our ensemble, and putting a show together, complete with our aerial rig, full acts, support from a producer, guest coaches, and access to our costumes. The second week, we polish the show and perform in the Press Bay Backlot in the evening for our community. Friday will be a celebration of our two weeks together. Students will also have the option to continue performing in our community tour for the next two weeks on their own with acts made at camp if they want more performance experience (no additional cost). With two weeks to learn, create, and perform you will be developing your skills, creativity, and community to the next level. All campers receive a Circus Culture t-shirt!

This camp requires that campers have the maturity to help with all aspects of putting on a show - from navigating casting to packing up the equipment to performing. We ask that everyone wishing to sign up for performance camp first read and discuss the ​performer contract to make sure it’s a good fit! If you have any questions about the expectations for troupers or if this is the right fit for the young person in your life, email info@circusculture.org. We will go through the contract with troupers the first day of camp and sign them together as a group.

2025 Performance Camp Schedule:

Week 1 (Drop off + pickup at Circus Culture):

Mon July 14 (9am-3pm)

Tues July 15 (9am-3pm)

Wed July 16 (9am-3pm)

Thurs July 17 (9am-3pm)

Fri July 18 at (9am-3pm)


Week 2: (Drop off + pickup at Circus Culture)

Mon July 21 (9am-3pm)

Tues July 22 (9am-3pm)

Wed July 23 (9am-3pm)

Thurs July 24 (9am- 7:30pm) show day!*

Fri July 25 (9am-3pm) celebrate our week together with circus games and more!


*Show day details!

On Thursday July 24th, we will provide pizza and supervision between camp ending at 3pm and show set up at 5:30pm! Circusers are welcome to stay and hang out, or go home for a break - just make sure you are back by 5:30 to get ready for the show! Showtime is at 6:30 - 7:00pm at the Press Bay Backlot - family, friends, and public are welcome. Rain location @ Circus Culture. Cleanup will be 7:00-7:30pm, then pickup at 7:30pm at Circus Culture!

Additional performance opportunities:

Performance camp is designed to sync with our beloved summer community tour which provides free summer circus shows to our community. Anyone who makes an act during performance camp is welcome to continue to perform it in this context - participation is totally optional. There are five additional performance opportunities for circusers to take part in at no extra cost if desired. Circusers will need to confirm if they are interested in additional performances by Wed July 16th.

Please note this is not a formal extension of our Health Dept licensed camp, and while there are circus staff running the shows, there is no formal supervision for participating youth. We model the tour off of a multigenerational community care model where everyone looks out for each other. We expect participants to either be comfortable within this structure or to have a parent/guardian with them during the shows if more direct supervision is required for your family’s comfort.