2x Guinness World Record holder
Charli Meath
Started at CircArts at 14, trained at NICA and set two aerial hoop Guinness World Records in our studio.
Home / Your CircArts journey / Aspiring Artist Program
Aspiring Artist Program: pre-professional youth circus training in Geelong
For the kids who dream of the big top
Our audition-based program for circus-obsessed 8 to 18 year olds. Train like a professional, create and perform original shows, and take the stage at Adelaide Fringe every year, with coaches who have walked the path themselves.
- Specialist training at least 6 hours a week
- An aerial or acro specialty plus a ground-based act
- Original shows, festivals and real performance experience
- A proven pathway to NICA and professional careers
Not at Level 3 yet? Start with weekly classes and train towards it. Find a class.
Ages8–18Audition
EveryyearAdelaide
The program
Train like a professional
Aspiring Artists build strong foundations, a healthy training mindset and performance-ready specialties. Most circus companies want performers with two high-level acts, and a ground-based act makes artists far more employable, so every student develops one alongside their aerial or acro work.
- Friday group training. A 3-hour session of warm-up, tumbling, hand balancing, specialties and creation.
- Specialist classes. At least 6 hours of training a week across the levelled classes that suit each student, usually 3 to 4 days.
- Create and perform. Students create, produce and perform their own shows, including Adelaide Fringe every year.
- Audition and competition prep. Help preparing for NICA, festivals and competitions such as Bend The Air.
- Ages
- 8 to 18
- Entry
- By audition. Usually Level 3 or above.
- Training
- Minimum 6 hours a week, including Friday group training
- Commitment
- 12 months (calendar year), 80% attendance, and a ground-based specialty
- Shows
- Adelaide Fringe every year, plus local shows and events
- Investment
- Discounted weekly training rates for Aspiring Artists. Explained at audition.
Auditions
What happens at the audition
Relaxed, encouraging and nothing to fear. We're looking for passion and potential, not perfection.
- Strength and flexibilityA few simple tests so we know where to start.
- Skills and performanceShow us some acro and circus skills, and pick up a short piece of choreography. No routine needed.
- A short chatWe get to know the student, their goals and how the program would fit their life.
Next auditions will be announced soon
Register your interest and you'll be the first to hear the dates.
Where Aspiring Artists perform
Real stages, real audiences
- Adelaide Fringe, every year. Including Storybook Circus and Fools Paradise at The Vault.
- Melbourne Fringe with Chroma.
- Circus Royale guest performances.
- The International Youth Circus Festival in Lithuania.
- Charli Meath, two-time Guinness World Record holder in aerial hoop.
- Alumni performing with Circus Royale, Eronis Circus, CIRCA, Trash Test Dummies and on cruise ships.
- NICA. A track record of successful applicants to the National Institute of Circus Arts.
Watch
See our Aspiring Artists in action
Shows, festivals and a word from our founder, Rosa, about the program.
Where it can lead
Our alumni are proof
Eronis Circus
Aisling Donnellan
One of our very first students. Started at 6 as a shy kid and now performs professionally with Eronis Circus.
What the industry says
Recognised by the people who know
CircArts has a proven track record for leading successful applicants to NICA's programs, including some of our celebrated alumni. We see CircArts' program as creating further pathways to high-level circus arts training.
From a strongly planned program to individual students who reached a high level of skills, Rosa and her team seem to know how to manage priorities to reach their goals.
CircArts prepared her for auditioning and securing a place at NICA. Charli now has a professional career in this industry.
Other pathways
More ways to go further
By audition
Aerial & Acro Competition Teams
For Level 3+ students who want to compete. Competition classes, strength and flexibility training, and a choreographed routine.
Ages 10+
Emerging Leaders
Our assistant coaching pathway. Students shadow and assist in classes, learn coaching theory, and can grow into paid coaching roles.
All levels
Private Lessons
One-on-one coaching to fast-track a skill, prepare for an audition or build an act. $125 an hour.
Book a privateAuditions
Register for the next audition
Tell us about your young artist and we will send the next audition details.
Prefer to chat? Text 0489 082 643.
Good to know
Questions families ask
What ages can audition?
Ages 8 to 18.
What happens at the audition?
Strength and flexibility, acro skills, a little performance and a short interview. No routine needed.
How many hours a week is the program?
A minimum of 6 hours a week: Friday Aspiring Artist training plus at least 4 hours of classes, usually across 3 to 4 days, with 80% attendance. Students also train a ground specialty.
How long is the commitment?
A 12-month, calendar-year commitment, with 3 months' notice.
How much does it cost?
Aspiring Artist memberships start from $227 a week, plus a $249 joining fee that covers registration and a full uniform. Families cover travel and costumes for festivals.
What if we can't make the audition date?
Email us. We can often arrange another time or assess during a regular class.
What should they wear and bring?
Fitted activewear, hair tied back, a water bottle and any small props they'd like to show. No routine is needed.
Will it take over school, homework and family time?
It's a real commitment, but schedules are built to work around school. Most students train 3 to 4 days a week, and many say the routine helps them manage their time better.
Do they have to compete?
No. Competitions are optional and separate to the Aspiring Artist Program.
Who covers travel and costumes?
Yes. Families cover travel and costume costs for tours and festivals. We'll always give plenty of notice.
Track record
Where our students have performed and won
Every CircArts student who has auditioned for the Certificate III, Certificate IV or Bachelor of Circus Arts at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) has been accepted. Past students now work in the arts, in shows like Harry Potter and GRIT and with companies like Dummys Corp and Fresh Creative. CircArts was also featured on Destination Happiness.
Shows produced by CircArts
- Adelaide Fringe Festival: Time Travel Circus
- Melbourne Fringe Festival: Chroma
- Circus Spectacle at Wonderland Spiegeltent 2024
- Circus Confusion at Wonderland Spiegeltent 2023
- Oddities at Wonderland Spiegeltent, Barwon Heads
- Melbourne Fringe Festival: Incognito, Wonderland Spiegeltent, Fed Square
- Melbourne Fringe Festival: Good As New, Melba Spiegeltent
- Spookfest, Potato Shed
- Melbourne Fringe Festival: MOI, The Melba Spiegeltent
- Cirq of Ages, Geelong Arena
- Live, Love, Repeat, NICA
- Circus, Geelong Arts
- Everything Circus
- Spooktacular
- Unleashed
- Circusland, Potato Shed
- Circus of Dreams
- WILD
- Running Amuck
Community performances
- Torquay Nightjar Festival: site activation, youth show, roving performance and workshops by youth for youth, promoting the arts in regional Victoria
- STRUT at Piano Bar Geelong: a fortnightly open stage for showing new works
- Pako Festa: a festival celebrating cultural diversity
- Suicide Prevention Awareness Network
- Pride Month and Autism Awareness Month: fundraising and celebrating inclusion and diversity
- Festival of Sport, Skilled Stadium: performances and workshops by youth for youth promoting physicality, fitness and body confidence
- Geelong After Dark, Poppykettle Festival, Geelong Gala Parade and Central Geelong activations
Awards and accolades
Multi-time finalists in national and international competitions, including:
- Australia's Got Talent 2009: Contortion, 1st round
- Australian Circus Festival 2014: Youth Contortion, 1st place
- Australian Circus Festival 2014: Youth Handbalancing, 1st place
- Australian Circus Festival 2016: Youth Trio Dance Trapeze, 3rd place
- Australian Circus Festival 2019: Contortion Spinning Carpets, 2nd place
- Australian Circus Festival 2019: Pre-professional Advanced Aerial Hoop, 3rd place
- Miss Lyra Australia 2019: Semi Pro, 1st place
- Miss Lyra Australia 2019: Doubles, 3rd place
- Miss Lyra Australia 2019: Semi Pro, 1st place
- Miss Lyra Australia 2020: Freaked Us Out Award
- Miss Lyra Australia 2020: Insane Flex Award
- Miss Lyra Australia 2020: Powerful Message Award
- Miss Lyra Australia 2021 (virtual): Semi Pro, 3rd place
- Bend the Air Victoria 2022: Aerial Hoop, 1st place
- Bend the Air Nationals 2022: highest scoring artist
- Bend the Air Victoria 2023: Hula Hoop, Group Acrobatics, Aerial Silk
- AEON Competition 2023: Hula Hoop and Contortion Spinning Carpets
Ready to train like an artist?
Register for the next auditions and we'll send everything you need to know.
Questions? Call 0420 211 844 or text 0489 082 643.
CircArts Geelong · Warehouse 33, 33/8 Lewalan Street, Grovedale VIC 3216