Summer 2024
PERFORMANCE
BOOT CAMP
Live out your passion all day every day in NECCA’s most intensive performance-centered program! You’ll spend your days developing your individual act with guidance in circus, theater and dance technique with additional professional development classes, movement research, ensemble work, performance refinement, and holistic exercise sessions to round out a full body training and creation experience. Train and create in our incredible custom built facility including an in-ground foam pit, trampoline, 40′ and 24′ rigging points, and air conditioning. All this while surrounded by the natural beauty of a Vermont summer.
More Info
Program Details
The program is overseen by an internationally recognized artistic team of directors and coaches and culminates with a show including acts and devised vignettes, specifically created for (pre) professional circus students.
Each day includes group training, private focus time with a coach in your skill area, and open training times for you to practice and rehearse. You’ll be pushing to gain the specific skills you’ve been reaching for and building a performance-ready act at a higher level. Skill areas include German wheel, cyr wheel, trampoline/tramp wall, solo and duo trapeze, dance trapeze, lyra/aerial hoop, cloud swing, hand balancing, tumbling, partner acrobatics, and more. If you don’t see your focus area listed, please ask!
Who is it for?
This program is for pre-professional circus students age 16 & up who want to strengthen their performance skills and make an act that will be performed at the end of the program.
Age 14 and 15, please inquire about participation in this adult-focused workshop by emailing us here.
What is included?
Group classes will focus on movement qualities and research, stage presence, act composition, ensemble work, career guidance classes, flexibility and conditioning, dance choreography and technique, and restorative exercise sessions to refine movement patterns and create clean lines. Each student will have four hours of one-on-one coaching time per week to train skills and act devising in their chosen focus area, bringing the total hours of training to 30 plus per week. There will also be open training time included every day.
The program culminates in a performance that showcases individual acts as well as fully devised vignettes and transitions. Photos and video of the show are included.
Circus focus areas include:
- Hand Balancing
- Partner Acrobatics
- Trampoline, Mini Tramp & Tramp Wall
- Trapeze (single point, double point, duo, swinging)
- Fabric
- Rope
- Chinese Pole
- Straps
- Lyra & Tippy Lyra
- German & Cyr wheels
- Wire
- Juggling & Manipulation
- Sling or Hammock
- Cloud Swing
- Bungee
- Invented Apparatus
- Contortion
What is the schedule?
Classes run Monday to Friday, 9 am – 4:30 pm or 5 pm, with a dress rehearsal Friday evening, Aug 2 and the performance on Saturday, Aug 3 at 7 pm.
Who are my coaches?
The program is directed by Creative Director Leah Leor, assisted by Megan Mallouk, with a variety of other coaches including Elsie Smith, Zeb Galipeau, Violet Defiant and Cody Hayman.
How much is the program?
$2400. A deposit of $1200 will secure your spot, and we can set up flexible installments with the final payment being due July 1st.
* There is a 10% discount off the Performance Boot Camp Program if folks also sign up for the Summer Intensive Program!
* We also have some scholarships available for these programs. Please contact us for more info!
How do I apply?
Please fill out the online application with your video submission of your most recent work or performance on the discipline that you will use in Boot Camp. Some exceptions can be made for experienced performers wishing to use Boot Camp as a place to create on a new discipline. Applicants are selected based on technical development and creativity. There is a limited amount of space for each discipline/apparatus.
Please also demonstrate as many of these core skills as possible:
- Forward roll and dive roll
- Cartwheel: (both sides)
- Handstand: against a wall or free-standing
- Back bridge: push up from laying on ground
- Splits: left, to straddle (center), to right
- Pull-ups: please show that your feet are not on the ground at the start/end of the skill
There is no deadline for applying – we have rolling admissions until the program is full. However, we have limited spots for each apparatus so applying by March 1 will assure you the spot you are dreaming of.
About Brattleboro
Get the best out of your circus training while enjoying the fun and beauty that a summer in Vermont can offer. Enjoy swimming, hiking, biking and kayaking practically from NECCA’s front door. The West River is steps away and includes a miles-long riverfront trail, access for boats and swimmers, and a waterfront restaurant to end your day with good food and company. Just one mile away is the vibrant downtown with cafes, restaurants, galleries, movie theaters and performance venues for music and entertainment.
There are many summer sublets and homestay options in Brattleboro. Check here for general information.
More Info
DETAILS
The program is overseen by an internationally recognized artistic team of directors and coaches and culminates with a show including acts and devised vignettes. Specifically created for (pre)professional circus students.
Each day includes group training, private focus time with a coach in your skill area, and open training times for you to practice and rehearse. You’ll be pushing to gain the specific skills you’ve been reaching for and building a performance-ready act at a higher level. Skill areas include German wheel, cyr wheel, trampoline/tramp wall, solo and duo trapeze, dance trapeze, lyra/aerial hoop, cloud swing, hand balancing, tumbling, partner acrobatics, and more. If you don’t see your focus area listed, please ask!
Who is it for?
This program is for pre-professional circus students age 16 & up who want to strengthen their performance skills and make an act that will be performed at the end of the program.
Age 14 and 15, please inquire about participation in this adult-focused workshop by emailing us here.
What is included?
Group classes will focus on movement qualities and research, stage presence, act composition, ensemble work, career guidance classes, flexibility and conditioning, dance choreography and technique, and restorative exercise sessions to refine movement patterns and create clean lines. Each student will have four hours of one-on-one coaching time per week to train skills and act devising in their chosen focus area, bringing the total hours of training to 30 plus per week. There will also be open training time included every day. The program culminates in a performance that showcases individual acts as well as fully devised vignettes and transitions. This show will be photographed, with a link to the photos sent to you shortly after the end of the program.
Circus focus areas include:
- Hand Balancing
- Partner Acrobatics
- Trampoline, Mini Tramp & Tramp Wall
- Trapeze (single point, double point, duo, swinging)
- Fabric
- Rope
- Chinese Pole
- Straps
- Lyra & Tippy Lyra
- German & Cyr wheels
- Wire
- Juggling & Manipulation
- Sling or Hammock
- Cloud Swing
- Bungee
- Invented Apparatus
- Contortion
What is the schedule?
Check back later for the 2024 schedule.
Classes usually run Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm, with a final performance at the end of the program.
Who are my coaches?
The program is directed by Creative Director Leah Leor, with a variety of other coaches including Elsie Smith, Zeb Galipeau, Megan Mallouk, Violet Defiant and Cody Hayman. These coaches may change in 2024.
How much is the program?
$1800. A deposit of $900 will secure your spot, and we can set up flexible installments with the final payment being due July 1st. These rates may change for 2024.
* There is a 10% discount off the Performance Boot Camp Program if folks also sign up for the Summer Intensive Program!
* We also have some scholarships available for these programs. Please contact us for more info!
How do I apply?
Please fill out the online application with your video submission of your most recent work or performance on the discipline that you will use in Boot Camp. Some exceptions can be made for experienced performers wishing to use Boot Camp as a place to create on a new discipline. Applicants are selected based on technical development and creativity. There is a limited amount of space for each discipline/apparatus.
Please also demonstrate as many of these core skills as possible:
- Forward roll and dive roll
- Cartwheel: (both sides)
- Handstand: against a wall or free-standing
- Back bridge: push up from laying on ground
- Splits: left, to straddle (center), to right
- Pull-ups: please show that your feet are not on the ground at the start/end of the skill
There is no deadline for applying – we have rolling admissions until the program is full. However, we have limited spots for each apparatus so applying early will assure you the spot you are dreaming of.
About Brattleboro
Get the best out of your circus training while enjoying the fun and beauty that a summer in Vermont can offer. Enjoy swimming, hiking, biking and kayaking practically from NECCA’s front door. The West River is steps away and includes a miles-long riverfront trail, access for boats and swimmers, and a waterfront restaurant to end your day with good food and company. Just one mile away is the vibrant downtown with cafes, restaurants, galleries, movie theaters and performance venues for music and entertainment.
There are many summer sublets and homestay options in Brattleboro. Check here for general information.
APPLICATION
Check back later to apply for 2024.
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.
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.
Many Thanks To
Our Sponsors
Please join us in thanking these companies for their support of NECCA.
Grant Sponsors
Education Partner
Year Round Sponsors
Circus Springboard Sponsors
To Circus Springboard Sponsors: Valentine Talland and Nagesh Mahanthappa. Thank you for your support!
Our Mission
Provide high quality circus arts training for students and artists while facilitating greater access and programming to everyone.
