AIRCRAFT'CIRCUS

INTERMEDIATE'COURSE'IN'CIRCUS'ARTS
/'16'WEEK'INTENSIVE'/''''''

www.aircra;circus.com
 THE'COURSE
The AirCraft Circus Intermediate Course in Circus Arts has been designed for students who already have
a foundation in circus arts. Entry is automatic for those students who have completed the Foundation Course
in Circus Arts with AirCraft Circus but of course we welcome students wishing to join us from outside.

Who are we looking for?

You may already be a professional performer within the industry with 2 or more key circus skills who wishes to
round out their skill base.
You may be an intermediate adult student with the goal of becoming a professional artist.
You may have completed the Aircraft Circus Foundation course in Circus Arts or perhaps you are a student
who has completed a similar programme at another school.

What do we require for entry?

During the audition students entering the Intermediate Course need to demonstrate good intermediate
knowledge of 2 key circus skills together with a good understanding of the skills below.

What does this mean?

As a minimum you will need 20 hours experience or 15 technical classes from a reputable school or trainer in
the following: Acrobatics, Chinese Pole, Aerial Hoop, Rope, Silks, Static Trapeze and Flexibility. If you are
lacking experience in some of these 'core' skills we can organise a 'preparatory programme' with technique
that is required from our syllabus to get you up to entry level before you begin. This can be completed at our
school or at another institution. Please contact the course director for a breakdown of these requirements.

What do you 'not' need prior experience in?

Previous experience in Straps, Doubles Trapeze and Flying Trapeze is not required but will be part of the
intermediate training programme.

The AirCraft Circus Intermediate Course runs for 16 weeks Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.00pm, with a 1 week
break.

AirCraft Circus trainer Matt Hurry with AirCraft Circus trainer Hauk Pattison
Foundation Course alumni Kat Lillwall

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What does a general day look like on the intermediate course?
The group will be led for warm-up, conditioning, handstands and floor based acrobatics and acrobalance to
maintain strength and build ensemble skill. This will be followed with your intermediate class in core aerial
(straps, doubles trapeze, static trapeze, hoop, rope, silks, flying trapeze). Some days will include performance,
movement and theory. The days will be rounded off with stretching skills including flexibility and yoga.
In week 10 the students will begin working on creating either solo or group acts, and working together to
develop an ensemble show.

Skills covered include:

Aerial Core - Static Trapeze, Hoop, Rope, Silks, Straps, Doubles Trapeze and Flying Trapeze
Acrobatic Core - Tumbling, Acrobalance, Chinese Pole, Handstands and Trampet
Performance - Improvisation, Ensemble, Physical Theatre, Act Creation and Production
Technical Skills - Rigging and Safety
Complimentary Skills - Dance, Conditioning, Flexibility, Extension, Injury Prevention and Journals

Trainers and AirCraft Circus directors Lucy Francis and Nik Litton

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 AUDITIONS'IN'PERSON
Entry to the course is by AUDITION ONLY. Auditions are FREE. If you are based in the UK
auditions are held in person at the school (video auditions are available to those outside the UK).

You will be required to demonstrate:

- Strength exercises such as pull ups, leg lifts, rope climb, press ups, V sits.

- Flexibility exercises: both leg splits, straddle with chest down, bridge, pike fold.

- Acrobatics moves: Backward roll to straddle, Handstand forward roll, Cartwheel, Round-off, Dive
forward roll.

- 2 minute aerial piece in your chosen skill.

The audition will also involve a tour of the space and a private interview with the course director.
This will be a chance to ask any questions or discuss any concerns.

VIDEO'AUDITIONS
If you are applying from abroad and unable to make an audition in person you can provide us with a
video audition. Please provide the following on camera:

- State your name, age and tell us why you want to join the AirCraft Circus Intermediate Course in
Circus Arts.
- Demonstration of strength (if floor and aerial equipment is available to you) - Pull ups, Leg Lifts,
Rope Climb, Press Ups, V Sits.
- Demonstration of basic acrobatics - Forward Roll, Backward Roll to Straddle, Handstand Forward
Roll, Cartwheel, Round Off, Handspring, Back Flip (can be assisted), Kick Up to Handstand and
Hold.
- Demonstration of flexibility - Right Leg Split, Left Leg Split, Straddle Chest on Floor, Box Split, Pike
Fold, Bridge.
- Two skill demonstrations in any circus, ground based or aerial skill at an intermediate level. This can
be two routines performed and choreographed to music or simply two skill demonstrations with no
less than nine technical moves,
- We are looking for technical ability, strength, flexibility, passion, flair and potential. Please
remember this is an intermediate course so we are not looking for advanced skill but you will need a
solid foundation across the board.

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 DATES'AND'FEES
6

The Intermediate Course in Circus Arts runs 3

times a year:
September to December
January to April
May to August
- Please note classes run as usual on bank holidays
during the course.

Course Fees
The total cost of the course is £3900 for the 16
weeks.
Upon acceptance a 20% deposit of £780 will be
required to secure your place. The balance will be
paid 10 days before the course start date.
Please note this is a private course, and as yet
there is no funding available for individual
applicants. However some students do find
sponsorship.

I do not live in the UK how do I apply?

Please see Video Audition section on previous page.

In terms of visa entry you will need to look into this at
your own visa office. We can supply a letter
explaining you will be attending the course upon
attendance.
AirCraft Circus trainer Hayley Ingle

Accommodation

You will need to source accommodation yourself. If

you want to take a look at rental rooms online look in
the SE18, SE7, SE10 or SE2 London postcodes on
spareroom.com, gumtree or loot. These areas are
very close to the school and students usually have no
problems finding accommodation, usually in a house
share.

A limited number of rooms are available for rent at

the course director's houses which is a 15 minute
walk from the school. Please email
lucy@aircraftcircus.com for more information.

If you are interested in joining the course please send

your CV and covering letter explaining your reasons
for wanting to join to lucy@aircraftcircus.com.

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Students take part in a Flying Trapeze lesson

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 THE'TEAM

Lucy Francis-Litton Nik Litton

Director and Trainer Technical Director and Trainer
Specialities: Flying Trapeze, Cradle, Swinging Specialities: Equilibristics, Acrobatics, Cradle,
Trapeze, Acrobalance and Flexibility Flying Trapeze and Rigging
Before life in the Circus, Lucy spent numerous hours Nik’s journey into the world of circus was late (32 years old)
either upside down, cartwheeling or leapfrogging & particularly circuitous (taking in Squash coach, Greek
EVERYWHERE. Aged 12 years old, Lucy’s passion of restaurant juggler & Kleeneze round, en route). Nik moved
gymnastics grew to obsession. Transferring over to to London in 1999 to attend the first ever ‘Circus Degree’
Sports Acrobatics so she could specialise in Tumbling and at The Circus Space in Hoxton. It was here where he met
group Acrobatics, she soon became a member of the his now wife Lucy Francis, and they formed a cradle and
National squad and was National competitor for many Acrobalance duo “Double Trouble”. During the summer
years. Aged 18, in order to continue her training she season of 2002, they performed with The Flying Dudes as
specifically moved to Leeds Metropolitan University part of their flying trapeze spectacle. At the same time
(Beckett Park Campus) to study for a degree in Sport and Alex Frith first suggested living in a warehouse, which was
Exercise Science. The opportunity arose for Lucy to take the birth of the original ‘Hangar’.
up High Diving, as a side-line hobby! Her obsessive
nature and determination for perfection, led her to become Although, latterly, gravitating to the teaching & rigging of
British Masters High Diving Champion (1998 & 1999). This circus, Nik continued to perform throughout the noughties;
gave her a great grounding to become an all round in a Kids’ Clown Show, devised by Alex Frith; Acrobalance
International circus Acrobat and Aerialist. for Prince Charles; taught flying trapeze to Charlie
Dimmock, Penny Smith & Sadie Frost; Teeter-board base
After a number of gruelling auditions, Lucy was selected for CGI work in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory; juggled
to participate in the Circus Training programme for the and unicycled as a clown in “Pagliacci” at the Royal Opera
New Millennium Experience Company, which led into House; Doubles trapeze base at London’s Hippodrome;
performing in the Millennium Dome Central Show during flew in harness in a French TGV advert; Counterweighted
the year 2000. Following on from this Aerial spectacular at the International Wella festival in Berlin; Group Acro base
and an ankle and knee operation, Lucy learnt Swinging at the Download festival 2011 and in front of 10,000 people
Trapeze and went off to Ibiza for a summer season at the O2 arena; he has rigged on Britain’s Got Talent &
Swinging in Privilege Nightclub for The Good Ship and the Olympic closing ceremony, to name a few!!! Nik’s
Manumission. In 2002 she had the opportunity to fulfil experience in circus is diverse.
one of her life-long ambitions, the Flying Trapeze. After
performing in front of The National Theatre and spending
the summer flying around in the air, Lucy broke her neck
and had to be pinned back together with a metal plate!
Not to be put off by this forced ‘rest’, Lucy fought back to
the Circus world, (via the stripping world) and went on to
wow audiences all around the World with her spectacular
and daring acts. Over the past 10 years, alongside her
performing career she teamed up with 3 others Mad
Hatter’s to set up a Circus School called AirCraft Circus,
popped out a baby and took another brief year out for
shoulder surgery. Despite all this Lucy continues to wow
audiences around the globe with new and exciting acts.
She currently performs Acrobalance, Hoop, Silks, Triples
Trapeze, Harness, Pole, Fire Fans and Fire Poi. A unique
performer in a league of her own.
Already a qualified Gymnastics instructor, Lucy started to
train people in Circus Arts at the National Centre for
Circus Arts from 2001 to 2010. She was an aerial and
acrobatics trainer for the Degree, Adults, Youth, Corporate
and Intro Day programmes, before becoming the Head Lucy Francis and Nik Litton
Trainer for AirCraft Circus. With over 20 years teaching
experience if your serious about Circus Training then Lucy
is your girl!

www.aircra;circus.com
 'TRAINERS
Hauk Pattison Hayley Ingle Matt Hurry
Chinese Pole Rope Silks

Charlotte Dawson Yma Ziranek Wilson

Dance, Acrobatics, Handstands Static Trapeze & Doubles Trapeze

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 THE'VENUE
AirCraft Circus is based in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The newly refurbished school boasts a
large aerial training space, creation studio and fitness studio, all dedicated to the full continuum of
circus arts training and associated practice.

The Aircraft Circus Foundation and Intermediate Courses have attracted students from across the
UK, Europe, Middle East, USA, South America, Australia, and from a breadth of backgrounds. Since
graduating, students from our courses have gone on to successful careers in circus and related
performance art professions.

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AirCraft Circus
Unit 7A,
020 8317 8401
Mellish House, Harrington Way,
London. info@aircraftcircus.com
SE18 5NR www.aircraftcircus.com

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