Ten Slipstream Circus students recently travelled to Albury, NSW to take part in the National Training Project, an annual event hosted by Flying Fruit Fly Circus. The event draws together elite professionals in the circus industry and aspiring young circus artists for two weeks of intensive training in all aspects of contemporary circus arts. Thanks to grant funding from Arts Tasmania, the students were able to join the event for the second week of this year’s event.
The students, aged between 13 and 16, joined other young circus artists from around Australia and completely immersed themselves in all things circus. Flying Fruit Fly Circus is recognised as the premier facility for young athletes and provided our students with the opportunity to experience aspects of circus not available on the North West Coast. A number of the students who attended are also junior trainers at Slipstream and they returned with enhanced skills and newfound confidence to share with the broader school.
The week was physically challenging but immensely rewarding and planning is underway to attend again in 2025. The experience highlighted the quality of the training offered at Slipstream Circus, as the students participated as equals alongside students from much larger circus schools.
Artistic Director at Slipstream Circus, Mark Douglass, accompanied the students said “Whilst the skills they learn are important, I feel it is the inspiration and motivation from being around other young people who share your passion that is the most important, and already, only a few months after the trip, we are seeing the positive impact this trip has had on them.”
Slipstream Circus offers classes Monday to Saturday for ages 2 upwards, including some classes for adults. Details of the classes can be found on the website www.slipstreamcircus.org.au
The trip to Albury would not have been possible without the financial support of Arts Tasmania.
Photo: Mark Douglass. Article by Slipstream Team
