CIRCUS: GROUND-BASED SKILLS For use with WJEC Performing Arts GCSE

Physical Warm Up Game Crumbs, Crumble GAME ONE Physical Warm Up Game Crumbs, Crumble Stand in a line in the middle of the space with at least a foot gap between you, in front and behind. One side of the space is named Crumbs and the other side named Crumble. Run to whichever side has been called out. Your teacher may point to the opposite wall that they call out to make the task more difficult. Then your teacher will call two directions at a time, e.g. ‘Crumbs, crumbs!’ (and you will run to Crumbs and back to the centre, then to Crumbs again and back to the centre before stopping).

Co-ordination Game Rabbit Pointing GAME TWO Co-ordination Game Rabbit Pointing Raise your right hand to shoulder height, close hand into a fist but leave your index and middle fingers pointing straight up. With your left hand, point with your index finger at your right hand. Move both hands over to the right, with the hand with the index and middle fingers pointed, leading your pointing hand. Then switch hands so your right hand is now pointing at your right hand with the index and middle fingers raised. Repeat this action, gradually increasing the speed.

Focus Game GAME THREE Circus, Poi, Walking Globe Stand in a circle, then one person starts off by saying ‘Circus’ and clapping once to the person on your left. After everyone has said ‘Circus’ and clapped once around the circle and returned to the first person, Poi can then be used. When the a person sends the clap to you, you can send it back in the direction it came by crossing your arms in front of your chest and saying ‘Poi’. The person that has been ‘poied’ must then either send the clap back the other way or ‘Walking Globe’ someone. You can send a ‘Walking Globe’ to someone in the circle apart from the two people on either side of you by waving your arms straight out in front of you at the person you are sending it to. Then the person receiving the Walking Globe can either ‘Walking Globe’ someone else or clap ‘Circus’ to either their right or left. You cannot Poi a Walking Globe.

SKILL ONE Plate Spinning Straight Stick: concentrate on keeping the sticks vertical at all times. Both hands: practise from both hands Circular motion: practise a good circular motion from your wrist and forearm. Plates rotates with growing speed until it hits the middle point.

SKILL TWO Ribbons Experiment: twirl the ribbon around to see how it feels and how it reacts to your movement. Levels: try twirling at different heights/planes for a more visual effect. Repeat with both hands: swap hands when trying new tricks so that you may use two at the same time.

SKILL THREE Cigar Boxes Practice re-grips: practise gripping the cigar boxes in different positions. Throwing and catching: practise throwing and catching the cigar boxes in both directions. Spins: practise all spins in both directions.

Advanced Skills and Progression After spending a little time running over the basics, your teacher will have a chat with you to see what new tricks you would like to learn and offer advice on what techniques are best to practise. Focusing on one new trick for a session often means you will be able to achieve it by the end of the lesson, and you will feel fulfilled.

Basic Routine Creation Routine creation is an essential part of circus performing, so learning the basics now is a very good idea. Perform the tricks you are comfortable with first and finish with the new trick you have been practising in that session.

Show What You've Learnt Performing regularly in front of an audience is also essential as you learn circus. Do a small show at the end of each session where you take it in turns to perform solo, in duos or in groups. This will dramatically improve your stage presence and help reduce nerves in future. It is important to be very supportive of all your fellow learners in this part of the session.