Performance Camp (10-16yrs)
Time: 9am-3pm, except on Thursday, July 25 (9am-8pm), plus additional opportunities (we do not provide after camp care)
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 and DIY 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.
2024 Performance Camp Schedule:
Week 1 (Drop off + pickup at Circus Culture):
Mon July 15 (9am-3pm)
Tues July 16 (9am-3pm)
Wed July 17 (9am-3pm)
Thurs July 18 (9am-3pm)
Fri July 19 at (9am-3pm)
Week 2: (Drop off + pickup at Circus Culture)
Mon July 22 (9am-3pm)
Tues July 23 (9am-3pm)
Wed July 24 (9am-3pm)
Thurs July 25 (9am- 8pm) show day!*
Fri July 26 (9am-3pm) celebrate our week together with circus games and more!
*Show day details!
On Thursday July 25th, 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 - 7:30pm at the Press Bay Backlot - family, friends, and public are welcome. Rain location @ Circus Culture. Cleanup will be 7:30pm-8pm, then pickup at 8pm 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 17th.
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.
Additional performance dates for the Circus Culture community tour are:
Friday July 26th 6:30 show (Ithaca Commons bank alley)
Sunday July 28th 4:30 show (Thompson Park, Fall Creek)
Thursday August 1 6:30 show (Press Bay Backlot)
Friday August 2 6:30 show (Ithaca Commons bank alley)
Sunday August 4 4:30 show (Thompson Park, Fall Creek)