Despite a joke or a casual remark about wanting to “run away and join the circus,” doing so may not be as straightforward as it once was. Today, there are some stringent requirements for becoming a circus performer, particularly with one of the more well-known companies. To become a circus performer, such as an acrobat, it is usually beneficial to have a background in gymnastics or dance, in addition to being in good health and excellent physical condition. You can take circus classes or workshops in many areas, then contact the organization with which you want to work and apply for a job submitting a resume and, in some cases, a professional portfolio.
To become a circus performer, you don’t need a formal academic education. Many circus jobs do not require any education beyond high school, depending on the type of circus job you want. However, there are many professional programs and schools dedicated solely to training someone to become a circus performer to look into. Acrobats, clowns, and magicians are all examples of circus performers.
Specific circus jobs usually necessitate a specific set of abilities. Clowns, for example, have a variety of skills, the majority of which can be learned at a clown school. Clown training is frequently available at community colleges and in the theater departments of some schools. There are also other types of circus schools around the world, some of which offer online training resources. They offer a variety of training and classes, but the majority of them include acrobatics, juggling, trapeze work, and other circus-related skills.
Depending on whether you want to be a clown or another type of circus performer, you should contact the specific company or circus that interests you to inquire about job availability. Following that, you usually send in your application, which is frequently accompanied photos or videos of your performances. It’s possible that you’ll be questioned about why you want to be a circus performer. A person interested in becoming a circus clown may be required to exhibit certain physical characteristics; for example, clowns frequently use a variety of facial expressions to convey their emotions.
If you want to work as a circus performer, you should be realistic about the job duties and not expect it to be all glamorous. When you’re on the road for weeks at a time, the job can be lonely and exhausting. Routine tasks such as practicing routines and moving heavy equipment are common daily responsibilities. At the same time, the shows can be entertaining, exciting, and physically demanding.