Circus Camp

Where: The Mazomanie Movement Arts Center ( map ), 2 Brodhead St., Mazomanie, WI (approx. 35 min. west of downtown Madison & 20 min. east of Spring Green off Hwy 14)

Cost: $40 for one-day camp in Mazomanie. $210 for one-week camps, $420 for two-week camp in Mazo. $235 for spring break camp in Madison.

To Register: click here for a .pdf file of our registration form. Just print the form, and mail it along with your fee to Mazomanie Movement Arts Center, 417 Bridge St, Mazomanie, WI 53560. Or call (608) 669-6403 or e-mail marcianitaus@yahoo.com, with your address and we'll mail you a form.

What to expect: A morning warm-up will stretch and strengthen body, mind and imagination through new games, improv and more. We'll discover the basics of stiltwalking, juggling and low-flying trapeze, and explore the world of physical comedy including pantomime, clowning, and mask movement forms, as well as dabbling in tightwire, acrobatics, costuming and set design. A library of books and videos on circus and performance lore will be at our disposal when it's time for quieter activities. Camp will close on Friday with a special performance! Parents, families and friends are cordially invited.

Our Advanced camp kids (ages 10 and up who've completed at least one week of the Wild Rumpus or other comparable program) get to add German Wheel, Rolling Globe, Aerial Silks, Aerial Improvisation and Theater/Comedy improvisation to their bag of tricks, as well as expand their performance horizons. In our first week, we'll visit Circus World Museum and perform as walkabout entertainers on grounds. And at the end of two weeks, we'll wrap all of these new skills into a grand finale performance package.

Our Core Curriculum:

Introduction to Low-Flying Trapeze
with Marcia Miquelon & Anita Laabs

Experience the joy of swinging, hanging, floating, spinning, climbing and circling on the low-flying, single point trapeze. Students will learn the basic techniques of swinging big and changing directions in midair, flying in circles, and hanging upside down, right side up and sideways. They will also have opportunities for play, exploration and self expression in a safe, supportive environment.

Marcia Miquelon directs the Mazomanie Movement Arts Center. Her background includes ballet, modern, African and Latin dance, along with yoga and contact improvisation. Her love of teaching has taken her from the ski slopes of Utah to the classrooms of Southern Africa. ( Read more! )

Anita Laabs has trained in aerial dance since 2001. Her background includes extensive ballet and dance production experience. She works during the day as a middle school language arts teacher.

Stiltwalking with Marcia Miquelon

Throughout history stilts have been used for many high jobs like harvesting peaches, walking in soggy areas, washing windows, or in construction and painting. They have also been used in ceremonies, celebrations and rituals; not to mention the circus, throughout the world.

Stiltwalking is great fun, confidence boosting, and not so hard to learn . It's quite like riding a bike, once you've succesfully found the balance point you're on your way. In stilt class students will learn to get up on stilts, walk, dance, stand still, and fall safely. 

By the Seat of your Baggy Pants with Jacob Mills

A fun theatrical experience exploring masks, movement, mime, juggling and other cool stuff. Capture the comic vitality of the circus, Vaudeville, and physical comedians such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Robin Williams. Students will study the value of physical expression and a variety of mime forms. Fun solo and group improvisational exercises will be explored using masks from Switzerland and the Italian Theatre. The Clown Character and Circus Skills will also be an integral part of this action-filled workshop. Students will also learn basic 3-ball juggling techniques, and the art of balancing objects on the nose.

Jacob Mills is a professional actor, physical comedian and educator. He has been performing and teaching since 1974. ( Read more! )