What is a Circus School?
Many teachers will tell you to stop clowning around, but here at the circus school we are doing the complete opposite. We are a circus with a purpose to change peoples lives and inspire social and economic development. The Circus School of Lancaster is an alternative gym that provides classes and events around the circus arts. We want everyone to experience circus on a personal level through exploring their strengths in circus arts training. Each act or skill holds a deeper symbolic meaning that’s beyond just a great exercise experience.
Not Just for Kids
There is a growing trend of circus arts coming into the gym scene and we are seeing places like Philadelphia, New York, DC and other bigger cities taking on and embracing the expansion of their circus communities. It leaves people from smaller towns, like Lancaster, having to travel up to 2 hours away just to find a gym that accommodates their needs. We already have many different circus communities growing in Lancaster County and what we want to do is bring them all together. Our focus will be on facilitating community around play and creating a network for people professionally.
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Circus for Everyone
Whether you are circus curious, only beginning, or a lifer we will have classes accessible to all levels!
- Acrobatic Yoga
- Juggling/Poi
- Hooping
- Aerials
- Handstand training
- Open Gyms
- Special Events
And MORE..lots more!
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Social Circus
As part of our mission to serve the community we will facilitate social circus events throughout Lancaster, in neighborhoods, street corners, on First Friday, at schools and other institutions. Clowning around and performing circus tricks on streets brings local communities together and starts a conversation on social and political issues. We also want to deliver the message that anyone can do circus, no matter race, size, class or gender.
Children & Youth Workshops
The circus arts transcends all boundaries and pushes physical limitations. It is our belief that through attending these workshops children will be able to explore their strengths in performance arts while accessing their creativity and building up their confidence, discipline and self-esteem.
- We have already announced 3 different circus camp workshops for this summer! They include hooping, acrobalance and aerials! We want to give a one of a kind circus experience to the youth of Lancaster this summer.
To learn more CLICK HERE.
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What We Need & What You Get
The amount raised will go towards ensuring our space at a beautiful co working space in downtown Lancaster, as part of the Lancaster Art Studio. As well as the proper gym equipment to make your circus experience as safe and enjoyable as a circus gym should be. Let's break it down!
The Break Down:
- $5,000: Basic gym equipment such as, crash mats/tumbling mats, aerial silks, lyra, rigging equipment, flow toys, glow toys, handstand canes
- $700: Down payment for co-working space at Lancaster Art Studio
- $200: Basic marketing material such as shirts and print material
- $200: Insurance coverage for one year
To give an idea of what some of this gym equipment will look like:
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We are so excited about our perk opportunities and look forward to having your participation in the circus. And who doesn't like cotton candy?! Win. Win.
Meet the Circus Crew
Sheena Good - Founder
Sheena began her love for movement at an early age when she was accepted for a scholarship at a dance school in Atlanta, GA. After settling down and having twins with her husband she found a new found art in acrobatic yoga. She was able to use her knowledge of movement in a new profound way. Finding AcroYoga has opened the doors to other circus communities and Sheena is looking forward to bringing them all together for Lancaster to enjoy. She believes that everyone should play, no matter what their age!
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Chris Tamburro
Chris began his circus journey in 2013 as a poi spinner. Since then he has learned several circus skills including, juggling, hooping, fire dancing and his specialty, fire eating. He has traveled and performed throughout Thailand with Spark Circus, a volunteer humanitarian circus project, for the past two years. Now that he has returned he plans to bring the circus arts to Lancaster city with The Circus School of Lancaster and PhosphorEssence Productions.
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Jenny Hill
Growing up in a theater family, it was natural for Jenny to go into writing and creative writing in college. In 2008 her theatrical upbringing was revived when she found hooping. Since then she has made a career doing clowning, circus-style multi hoop performances, and variety shows, all with one focus: making a real, human connection.
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Autumn Cornell
Autumn Cornell is a multi talented visual and performance artist. She began her journey in 2011 as a hula hooper and continued on to study belly dance in Portland, OR. While there she began street performing with fire. Fire arts opened the door to many different style of circus performance. Autumn currently teaches aerial hammock at Aerial Fun & Fitness, a student at Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, performs with Fractal Fire, and PhosphorEssence Prodductions. She is excited to share her passion for circus arts with the city of Lancaster.
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Nick Polini
Nick Polini is a Penn State graduate with a wildlife biology degree. He has been practicing and performing with footbag for 8 years, contact juggling for 1.5 years, and buugeng for about half a year. He loves to perform and entertain people and looks forward to what he can bring to The Circus School of Lancaster.
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Kathleen O'Donnell
Kathleen O'Donnell is teacher certified by The Circus Arts Institute and Sky Gym and current performer with The Off Centered Project, and specializes in fabric, chain, and lyra
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Other Ways You Can Help
- Share this page with your friends!
- Know anyone that may be interested in sponsoring events or donating circus equipment? Bring them our way!
- Donate any of your old circus toys/equipment that you don't use anymore!
And don't forget to follow us on FACEBOOK for updates!