Advancing in the Circus
Not everyone who joins the school becomes a performer who regularly represents the Fruit Flies. It is not an automatic ‘fait accompli’. There are four stages of advancement within the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.
- Intake
- Transition
- Fledgling
- Opportunity
While no specific milestones for reaching each development stage have been set, the training department assumes that the four levels are equivalent to Intake being beginners and Opportunity being advanced: from where performers are most likely to be cast for shows.
However, performance opportunities are decided on an ‘as needs’ basis. We frequently cast children from Fledglings and below into shows or specific projects because there are times when children develop rapidly and demonstrate levels of cap
ability and maturity above the benchmark they’d previously set. Similarly, we may offer early advancement into a next level on a temporary or permanent basis. At other times we recommend promotion for a set period on a specific project.
As a project approaches, the artistic manager, head of training and master trainer cast the show by a combination of audition, observation of the children’ track record, attitude, and their suitability for a role. The circus endeavors to give each person as many performance opportunities as possible while encouraging them to strive to be the best they can be.
“I just love it, when I was young I was always climbing trees and doing acrobatics so the chance to join the circus was so exciting – from the first day I was hooked,’’ she says.
“There’s just something about being part of the circus that’s so incredible.’’ Susie Day, 16
Intake: In school
The youngest and newest members of the Fruit Fly family are chosen from the Circus Arts 2009 feeder program and from individuals who passed a formal audition. Minimum age 8 (or grade 3). These first year students receive two in-school training sessions per week focussing on the fundamentals and basic training principles such as balancing, juggling, rope climbing, skipping, jumping, handstands, flexibility/stretching, elementary tumbling, trapeze, mini tramp, big trampoline and pyramids. They also undertake one dance class and one fitness class after-school each week.
The schedule is designed to offer a wide variety of skills experience. This gives the children a sense of appreciation of most disciplines within circus while helping them gain an affinity with one or more areas of performance they might like to pursue. Our trainers give detailed drills and tasks that are needed to advance within each apparatus or skill. Sometimes children gravitate toward an area of particular performance interest, other times trainers make recommendations about which discipline a child could turn their attention to, based on body type, mindset etc. Youngsters stay in this group during their first year, until auditioning in term 3 for available places in Transition.
“I was so determined to move to Albury to join the circus, there was no way mum was going to stop me, so she agreed and I moved and lived in shared houses and it has all been worth it,’’he says. 14, Patrick Heilmann, who moved from Charlestown near Newcastle to join the circus.
Transition: In-school + after-school
One level up from Intake. Children are placed into small groups of 10-18 with others who are compatible in terms of age and capability. Students are practicising general circus skills, but we look to identify what discipline suits each child best. The training principles include balancing, juggling, rope climbing, skipping, jumping, handstands, flexibility/stretching, tumbling, trapeze, tissu, tightwire walking, adagio, hoop diving, hula-hoop, mini tramp, a-ring, big trampoline and pyramids.
Most train in 90 minute sessions three times a week during school time, focusing on circus skills. Each week one fitness session is held at Wodonga Leisure Centre. We also aim to conduct a weekly dance class at an alternative venue. Once a fortnight, a double time-slot of after-school training also occurs at Dallinger Road. Transition members are expected to audition for available places in Fledgling or Opportunity. Children are also up for selection to perform in Limelight, an end-of-year in-house performance project showcasing Transition students and their skills.
“I wouldn’t have traded my childhood for anything. Working with people who wanted to do more and who wanted to be better, going to training every night, doing it all together.” Spenser Inwood, former Fruit Fly, ACAPTA newsletter, 2008
“It’s fun, its exciting, risk taking and the more I do and the more I learn, the more I love it … Before I joined the FFFC I wasn’t having the best time in my life, but the circus made me feel happy and helped me escape from other things, and now I want to do it as a career.” Callum Stafford, 17
Fledgling: in-school + after-school
Intermediate to advanced skill level. The same skills as Transition, except students are given more training time which gives them the chance to progress faster so they’re ready to move to the Opportunity group. Students work towards gaining a position in the specialist performance troupe. Promotion can occur anytime throughout the year. Children are also up for selection to perform in Limelight, an end-of-year in-house performance project showcasing Fledgling students and their skills.
This program combines in-school, performance training, a weekly after-school dance class, and three double sessions of after-school circus training. Overall, the time commitment for this group represents around 12 hours of training per week during each term.
“He is having the time of his life as a Fruitie and I’d like to pass on our thanks for his opportunity. He’s on the phone to us every evening telling us about every aspect of his training. He just loves it.” Jenny Hutchinson, Nick’s mum, April 2008
Opportunity: After-school + weekends + holidays
The most intensive schedule offered. Time is spent fine-tuning individual skills. Requires the most dedication by students and parents. We offer a flexible delivery of training options for those in Years 11-12 in recognition of the increased academic demands and various career aspirations.
A strictly limited number of Fruit Flies are selected annually by audition. Some may be promoted from Transition or Fledgling during the year. Ages range from 10-18 years. This group trains after-school every Monday to Friday. Some younger students also have two in-school training sessions during the week (those up to and including Yr 10). These students are likely to train for 2 1/2 hours every night after school.
This group offers the opportunity to develop specialised skills and acts. While the circus strives to provide performance opportunities to all students, these particular children are more likely to be chosen to participate in touring shows. These performers may tour interstate and internationally. They must be available for additional training and rehearsals in the evenings, over weekends and during school holidays.
“I spent about seven years as a student at the Fruit Flies and was determined to become the best juggler in the world … I learnt respect, skills and there was always a great camaraderie – above all we were encouraged to believe in ourselves and follow our dreams.’’ Earl Shatford, 34, is among the top 10 jugglers in the world and now teaches juggling at the National Institute of Circus Arts in Melbourne.