The Circus Space
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The Circus Space in London's Hoxton offers the UK's only university degree program in circus. It supports the professional development of over 200 circus performers and circus companies each year and runs over 50 adult and evening classes every week in everything from trapeze to clowning. The Circus Space also runs the London Youth Circus.
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[edit] History
It was established in 1989 by Jonathan Graham with a number of other volunteers in a former timber yard in North Road, London (now the site of the Pleasance Theatre). From the outset it has provided support for professional performers through practice time, devising space, company support and putting on shows, including the Circus Space Cabaret, plus an adult evening programme and a youth programme. In 1994 it moved to the former Shoreditch Electricity Generating Station in Hoxton, starting a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts (Circus) in 1995 which ran to 1999. In 1998 it designed and delivered the tailor made training programme for the 87 aerial artists who performed in the Millennium Show at the Dome. In 1999 it started to run a BA (Hons) degree course in Circus in association with the Central School of Speech and Drama. It was instrumental in the creation and development of The Generating Company, one of the UK's newest circus ensembles, and since 1998 has won 5 arts and regeneration awards.
[edit] Current leadership
As of 2006, The Circus Space's CEO is Jane Rice-Bowen and its chairman is Russell Gilderson.
[edit] Admissions
The Circus Space accepts around 20 new students each year onto its 2 year Foundation Degree in Circus Arts course. However, no educational requirements need to be met and admission is based purely on suitability and successful audition. Students undertake an intensive training regime of 38 weeks per year. Upon finishing the programme, students may then audition for a place on a final one year programme which will then lead to a BA (Hons) qualification
The Circus Space degrees are validated by the University of Kent.
As well as being a member of the United Kingdom's national Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, it is a member of the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools.
