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Turning up the heat on circus training
By Susan Grigson
Summer got off to a sizzling start in the big top at Melbourne's St Kilda Beach with the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) end of year performance, Inferno.
The performance was a celebration of the extraordinary talents of 60 of Australia's finest young circus performers, aged from 18 to 29 years. Audiences were captivated by the fiery circus makeover of Dante's medieval story.
NICA is Australia's centre of excellence for professional training in contemporary circus arts and physical theatre. Students come from diverse backgrounds and have included Commonwealth Games gymnasts, professional divers, national acrobatics champions, stunt trainers, extreme sports athletes, buskers and street performers.
The Institute first opened its doors in February 2001. At the end of 2003, 17 students graduated with a Bachelor of Circus Arts or a diploma with another 14 expected to graduate in 2004.
However NICA's current premises at the Circus Studio at the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne needs expanding if it is to keep pace with the Institute's growing reputation.
In response to the tremendous interest in circus performance as an art form, the Australian Government has announced that NICA would receive an additional $6 million in the 2003-04 Budget to assist with the construction of a new training and performance venue.
While still in the early planning stages, the National Circus Centre will not only assist talented young artists to reach their full potential but it will provide a place in which new work can be created and performed.
The new centre will be an exciting environment where trainers, artists, designers, directors and choreographers can experiment together and participate in student performances.
'The new venue will be an exciting place, which will not only enable us to train Australia's finest young circus artists, but it will also provide us with a venue to showcase their talents,' said Director, Pamela Creed.
'It will also become a creative hub, where emerging circus artists can work with other artists, directors, choreographers, designers and musicians to create cutting edge circus works, which will further enhance our artistic landscape and extend our cultural export opportunities.'
Graduates from NICA play an important role in ensuring that the Australian circus industry will provide a major cultural export as well as delighting audiences across the country.
Australian circus companies like Circus Oz and the Flying Fruit Fly Circus have been successful both here and overseas but it is vital for the future of this industry that we maintain a world-class centre for contemporary circus training.
The Australian Government recognises this, contributing to NICA's funding since 2000 and providing $1.950 million in 2004-05 through the Cultural Development Program.
NICA offers a wide range of classes to suit all ages and skill levels during the holidays and throughout the year. Staff also work with industry and community groups and participate in part-time, short courses, master classes, industry forums and circus cabaret nights.
For more information on the National Institute of Circus Arts, upcoming performances and auditions, go to the website: www.nica.swin.edu.au or email nica@swin.edu.au
Inset at top: Paul O'Keefe preparing for a fiery dive through a blazing ring. Photograph: Ryan Green
Left: Casey Douglas, hand balancing expert, rehearsing for Inferno. Photograph: Laurie Davis