BOOST
A Dublin Circus Project Initiative funded by the Arts Council
Who is the Dublin Circus Project?
Dublin Circus Project(DCP) is a circus arts organisation, based in The Orchard Community Centre in Cherry Orchard, D10, dedicated to the growth of and engagement in circus arts in Ireland. Originally set up by a grassroots collective of circus artists in 2009, DCP was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee(CLG) in 2011 and we will celebrate our 15th birthday in 2024.
What is BOOST?
BOOST is a 3 month professional development course designed to support emerging circus artists, through a 12 week course of classes, mentoring, individual skill progression and group work. 22 hours over 3 days a week for 13 weeks. We offer a creative toolkit to challenge, develop and advance your artistic and conceptual skills of relevance to your existing field of circus.
Where will BOOST take place?
BOOST will take place in our venue in The Orchard Community Centre Cherry Orchard Grove Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10, Dublin D10HO24. There will also be some online individual mentoring and tutorials.
When will BOOST take place?
The course will take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9th September – 15th December, with a break for Halloween.
In addition there will be online session in flexibility and conditioning delivered online during the week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from
Each student will also have 1.5 hours of private tuition with a tutor in one of their main disciplines delivered either online or in person.
The private tuition sessions will be arranged to suit the timetable of the Tutors and Participants in advance of the course start date.
Why BOOST – Dublin Circus Project?
Dublin Circus Project is delivering BOOST to:
● Support the emergence of professionally trained circus artists in Ireland. ● Increase connectivity between professional circus artists in Dublin and beyond. ● Increase our capacity to contribute to the expansion and professionalism of the art form in Ireland.
Why BOOST – Participant?
The BOOST course will provide Participants with
● The opportunity to reach a higher level in a number of core circus disciplines
● A good solid foundation in theatre, dance, conditioning and flexibility ● Techniques in creation and devising as well as a structured creative process. ● The opportunity to tailor the course to your interests.
● Support in research and development of an act in your chosen discipline or artistic voice
● The opportunity to perform or show a work in progress at a public showcase that you will be directly involved in designing and producing.
Eligibility to apply to participate
In order to apply to participate you must be:
● An emerging and/or early career circus artist, 17 years and older, based in Ireland and looking to improve your skills and opportunities in the circus arts sector in Ireland.
● Available for the full duration of the Course
You will need to:
Complete an online application form. Paper application form or other format will be made available on request and where possible
Be available for interviews taking place week beginning 6th August
Closing Date for Applications is: 1st August 5pm
Course Fee – €1,200
This course is eligible to be supported through other funding or bursary schemes. Fee can be made in installments, terms and conditions can be agreed upon a request
Participation Selection Process
● Applications will be assessed by an expert panel
● Shortlisted applicants will interviewed in person or online
● Feedback will be available on request for unsuccessful applicants
Course Breakdown/Programme
● 1.5 hours a week 1:1 tuition in discipline of choice (delivered either online or in person. (Private tuition sessions will be arranged to suit the timetable of the tutor and student)
● Core subjects All students must take part in these sessions
Theatre, Dance, Conditioning and Flexibility
Elective subjects, students will choose 3 out of 4 options
● Manipulation, Aerial, Acrobatics, Hand-balancing
● Artistic Identity 1. Mission and individual goals 2. Idiosyncrasies cultivation ● Artistic Development-Designed by artistic development course in SKH(DOCH) 1. creative methodology in circus 2. Movement clarity
● Tech and physical development- 1. Stage presence, stage ready 2. Feedback giving and receiving (Das Arts method)
● Lectures and masterclasses – Injury Prevention, Rigging fundamentals and lunge belt training, History of Circus, Making work for street v’s stage, HOw to be a business, Emma Poole in body of worth followed by masterclass in rope and silks, nutrition, Henrik- Context creating, Outside arts in Irish circus and performance landscape, Emily Terndrup from Punchdrunk, lecture and masterclass plus many more.
Our Tutors
We have selected a group of very experienced tutors, across all circus arts disciplines : Theatre: Alain Servaint
Dance : Robyn Byrne
Conditioning: Fadi Zumrood & Emmet Louis
Flexibility: Seve DeM, Emmet Louis, Nicola Moran
Manipulation: Grant Goldie
Aerial: Monika Palova
Hand-Balancing: Seve DeM, Emmet Louis, Vincent Vis
Acrobatics: Fadi Zumrood
Cork Circus Factory – Develop shared evaluation framework
Belfast Circus – have provided us with guidance and advice
Circomedia – have offered to mentor us when running the programme and have shared documentation with us.
Contact Us – details any other details
