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New England Center for Circus Arts
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ABOUT NECCA

NECCA is people. Our founders, coaches, board, staff, students and community all shape NECCA in as many different ways as there are talented individuals who walk through these doors. NECCA is also an internationally recognized circus school known for outstanding creative and physical programming. Here, we are committed to providing access to circus arts instruction to anyone who is interested in what circus has to offer them—from the absolute beginner to the industry professional. We pride ourselves in providing this instruction in a welcoming and non-competitive atmosphere with a staff of coaches who make this art form as approachable as it is entertaining. Simply said, we love what we do and we welcome you to find out what NECCA can offer you!

We’d like to take a moment to share our gratitude both to the generous supporters who made this possible and to the Abenaki Tribe, whose traditional land we stand on and who have stewarded this land throughout the generations.

Many Thanks To

The New England Foundation for the Arts

NECCA is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts through the New England Arts Resilience Fund, part of the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund, an initiative of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with major funding from the federal CARES Act from the National Endowment for the Arts.

About NEFA Support NECCA

OUR HISTORY

  • 2007

    Founding of NECCA

    NECCA is founded by Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion and receives its 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit circus arts education facility. For several years previous to this, circus arts instruction was provided under the name of Nimble Arts. Elsie and Serenity felt it was vital for the students and the community for NECCA to take this next step and grow into a nonprofit. Classes were taught with a staff of approximately 10 coaches at the Cotton Mill and the New England Youth Theater in Brattleboro, VT. The original Professional Track or “ProTrack” program began in 2007 as well, beginning NECCA’s reputation of successfully preparing professional circus artists for careers in circus.

  • 2010

    NECCA Expands

    NECCA expands into 3 studios at the Cotton Mill and establishes an additional professional program, the Intensive Program, designed to meet the growing needs of the industry. This year also brought the first annual Flying Nut holiday show as well as the Circus In The Neighborhood outreach program established to bring circus to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to NECCA programming. This was also the first year of the Circus Spectacular: an annual fundraising event at the Latchis Theater aimed at raising funds specifically for outreach and scholarships.

    2010

  • 2013

    Building Committee Established

    NECCA received its 501(c)(3) not for profit status in December 2007 and can accept tax deductible donations. The incorporation of NECCA and the filing of not for profit papers was the culmination of much work from a supportive community, school members and a Board of Directors who believed that it was an important next step in the building of an internationally recognized yet locally vital circus center.

  • 2014

    NECCA Expands Again

    NECCA grows into 4 studios at the Cotton Mill as well as the Winston-Prouty gymnasium and has a staff of around 35. Land was purchased at Town Crier Dr, which would be the future home of NECCA’s custom trapezium. The outdoor Flying Trapeze rig moved to this site to take advantage of the amazing space and location.

    2014

  • 2016

    Ground Breaking at Town Crier Drive

    NECCA officially breaks ground for construction at the 10 Town Crier Drive location.

  • 2017

    NECCA Moves to Town Crier Drive

    In June, NECCA officially moved to its new and permanent home in a custom built Trapezium. This moved allowed NECCA to expand its ProTrack program to a full-time 3-year professional training program to better prepare students for the careers ahead. By this time, NECCA’s staff grew to 50 employees.

    2017

  • 2018

    FlyTeam Is Created

    FlyTeam, professional Flying Trapeze program begins.

  • 2019

    Three Years of ProTrack

    First graduates and tour of the 3-year ProTrack program.

    2019

NECCA ONLINE!

Follow Us on Instagram

@NECCACircus
ProTrack Applications are rolling for the 2023 - 2 ProTrack Applications are rolling for the 2023 - 2024 year! 📣 Apply now for entry into Year 1, or direct entry into Year 2 for select candidates! Requirements for direct entry to Protrack 2nd year: ✔️Experience in a main discipline 🔹Endurance on apparatus for minimum of 5 mins 🔹Strength and mobility to support work on your major 🔹Performance piece you can share with us ✔️Minimum of 1 year rigorous training in a secondary apparatus (this is beyond the regular students’ situation, can you tell me more?) 🔹Submit minimum of 3 sequences of material in secondary discipline (same as above) ✔️For Aerialists Only: 🔹3 or more pull ups (pronated grip) 🔹Ability to do straight arm inversion 🔹Both splits 🔹Back bend ✔️A background in theater and / or dance ✔️Creative openness, curiosity, and expression ✔️Maturity, responsibility, professionalism ⚠️Limited spots available to candidates of highest caliber - apply today at our bio link! 📽️Video of ProTrack Year 3 student @chanty.aguirre with a sequence on #ChinesePole [Description: Chanty swings from side to side from the top of the Chinese pole, all the way to the bottom, with their legs in a straddle.] . . . #MatChinois #MastilChino #Acrobat #Aerialist #AerialistsOfIg #Acrobatics #CircusZone #CircusAroundTheWorld #CircusInspiration #CircusInternational #Necca #NeccaCircus #ILoveBrattleboro
🌷Spring Circus Classes start this week, it’s 🌷Spring Circus Classes start this week, it’s not too late to sign up! Interested in any of the following classes? Drop in before March 26th by emailing ➡️ info@necenterforcircusarts.org ⬅️ to try it out, then if you love it, sign up for the whole session! 🌻Monday 101 Cyr Wheel 201/301 Tumbling 🌹Tuesday Aerial Yoga 101 Aerial Sling 201/301 Dance Trapeze 🌼Wednesday 101 Flexibility 201 Trampoline & Tramp Wall 🌺Thursday 101 Mixed Aerials 201 Aerial Fabric 201 Aerial Rope 🌷Saturday 115 Swinging Trapeze 😱Surprise yourself with circus this spring and see what you can accomplish! We’ve got classes for everybody at every level. ✅Head to our bio link and WEEKLY CLASSES to sign up! 📽️Video of ProTrack student @circushill with an advanced sequence on #AerialSilks [Description: Hill goes upside down on a blue aerial silk and wraps it around her belly. In a horizontal position, she rolls up the silks before unwrapping it, then placing it behind her back to balance in a horizontal position.] . . . #Silks #AerialFabric #AerialTissue #AerialRope #CordeLisse #AerialSling #AerialBeauty #AerialTraining #CircusAroundTheWorld #FitnessGoals #Necca #NeccaCircus #VermontLife #NewEngland #ILoveBrattleboro
1 Week Away! ⭐ Attend this virtual workshop to l 1 Week Away! ⭐ Attend this virtual workshop to learn about what you should have in your rigging bag as a performer. ⛓️In this workshop, we'll look at what you need to have on your technical sheet and in your rigging bag so that you can show up to a gig and be prepared. ⚠️You'll leave the workshop with a better understanding of what you need to set up your act, how to pack it and move it all safely, and how to communicate your staging and rigging needs to your client. This workshop is designed for aerialists, but also useful for anyone who travels with lots of equipment/props or rigging. 📆Join us virtually, live on March 27 from 4:30-6 pm EST. Or, sign up and get a video recording to watch later if you can’t attend live. ✅Register online at our bio link and WORKSHOPS 📸Photo by @‌analaurakarotkin of @‌marine_doing_circus [Description: Marine sits, hanging in a metal aerial square in an invented aerial ladder apparatus which hangs both above and below them. On their right is the text “Going Pro: What’s in your rigging bag?” in white.] . . . #AerialRigging #Rigging #Petzl #AerialistsOfInstagram #AerialBeauty #CircusLife #CircusRigging #CircusArtist #AerialSilks #AerialHoop #AerialTrapeze #AerialRope #AerialStraps #Necca #NeccaCircus
📣DROP IN to a NECCA Session class during the fi 📣DROP IN to a NECCA Session class during the first week of Spring Session! Want to test out a class before signing up for the entire session? You can! Just email us (info@necenterforcircusarts.org) with the class you want to attend between March 20 - 26. If you love it, then you can sign up for the entire session. This is a great way to find out if a particular class is right for you - meet the coach and other students, try it out, and then keep coming back for more! Elizabeth Wohl started out as a beginner in aerials and after years of learning and growing in NECCA classes, she now performs locally and continues coming back for more! 🧘‍♀️We also have session long drop in options for AERIAL YOGA and FLYING TRAPEZE classes! ➡️More information and registration at our bio link and WEEKLY CLASSES! 📸Video of @soprano_aerials with a combo on an apparatus inspired by @michellejmazz [Description: Elizabeth climbs a long yellow sling, twisting and turning as she weaves in and out of poses.] . . . #Aerialists #AerialYoga #AerialYogaFlow #FlyingYoga #FlyingTrapeze #Silks #AerialSilks #Acrobat #CircusArtist #FitnessInspiration #AerialSilks #AerialSling #AerialFabric #ILoveBrattleboro #LoveBrattleboroVt #VermontLife #NewEngland #Necca #NeccaCircus #VermontCreativeNetwork
It’s the 1st day of Viva Fest! ⭐ Did you know It’s the 1st day of Viva Fest! ⭐ Did you know that NECCA sponsored competitor Erika Radcliffe won 1st place in the Emerging Artist Aerial Rope category a few years ago? Now she’s on tour as a performer with @cirquemechanics ! 📣NECCA will be awarding a scholarship to one of our summer training programs to a talented performer competing in the Student category who shows professional promise! NECCA is beyond excited to be participating in @‌thevivafest once again and continuing to advocate for circus as an art form in the United States. 👀Will we see you at the festival? NECCA representatives will be there doing a talk about circus schools this Friday March 17th from 1:45-2:45 PDT. Stop by and say hello! 📽️Video of @‌thisiserikarad training on #AerialRope [Description: Wearing all black, Erika flips and cartwheels down the rope, ending with a front flip and catching the rope overhead.] . . . #CordeLisse #Cuerda #AerialRopeTricks #AerialRopeTraining #AerialSilks #Silks #AerialFabric #AerialTraining #AerialBeauty #CircusInspiration #CircusInternational #Necca #NeccaCircus #CircusSchool #VivaFest
🎪Join us for Spring Session, starting March 20t 🎪Join us for Spring Session, starting March 20th! Pick up a new hobby this spring with a NECCA session class. Check out our very own Reception Manager, Phoenix, with a sequence on static trapeze after only 9 classes! Try for yourself and see what you can achieve in one of our many aerial or acrobatics classes, or keep it gentle with Aerial Yoga, Juggling, and Red Nose clown! ➡️With classes for every level including complete beginners, we have something to get your excited and keep you coming back for more! ✅Head to our bio link and WEEKLY CLASSES to browse your options and register! 📽️Video of @_phoenixleigh_ on #Trapeze [Description: Phoenix stands up on a trapeze bar. They shift their weight side to side, leaning on the ropes of the bar. They lean forwards and back in the ropes before sliding back down and dismounting the bar.] . . . #CircusSchool #CircusGoals #FitnessGoals #FitnessMotivation #FitnessInspo #AerialTraining #Aerial #Necca #NeccaCircus #ILoveBrattleboro #VermontLife #CircusStrong #CircusTraining

SUPPORTING OUR MISSION

DONATE TO NECCA

NECCA is a nonprofit that’s committed to the people it serves and the community within which it thrives. We rely on our many generous donors to continue to be a place that’s accessible to everyone, where creativity and artistry soar, and where the seemingly impossible becomes possible—every single day. Please consider joining others in supporting our work.

Donate Today

SUPPORTING OUR MISSION

DONATE TO NECCA

NECCA is a nonprofit that’s committed to the people it serves and the community within which it thrives. We rely on our many generous donors to continue to be a place that’s accessible to everyone, where creativity and artistry soar, and where the seemingly impossible becomes possible—every single day. Please consider joining others in supporting our work.

Donate Today

Many Thanks To

Our Sponsors

Please join us in thanking these companies for their support of NECCA.

Grant Sponsors
Education Partner
Year Round Sponsors

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Our Mission

To empower a community of artists, students, and staff to strengthen their skills and achieve their goals through the joyful and transformative power of circus arts.

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Contact NECCA

10 Town Crier Dr
Brattleboro VT 05301
802-254-9780
info@necenterforcircusarts.org

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