PROTRACK PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

Graduates On the World Stage – You Could Be Next!

All spots for the 2020-21 school year have been filled.
Check back in November 2020 for details about the 2021-22 school year.

WHY CIRCUS SCHOOL?

Perhaps you’re wondering what circus school can offer that you can’t get on your own. The answer—everything!

Dedicated career coaches are here to pay attention to your every move, correct your form, and give you the tools for training in a methodical (and body smart) way, all while you get exposed to skills, techniques, and creative instigation you didn’t even know existed.

Work the things you don’t want to work. That’s right. Don’t you have things you know you should be working on, but somehow always find a reason not to? Of course you do. Our coaches are here to make sure nothing falls through the cracks while you become a well-balanced artist with all the skills.

A group of people working as hard as you are! There’s nothing like being in a group of supportive artists working just as hard as you are and making gains towards a circus career every day. Seeing other people do the impossible and come back for more means there’s inspiration around you on a daily basis.

Networking. We hold auditions for other organizations and happily send referrals to a vast number of performance companies for our graduates. People call us to find their next performer and it makes it easier on our students to find work.

The sheer number of classes and lessons! Our program works out to about $10/hour for the year. That includes classes in dance, hand balancing, acrobatics, physical theater, flexibility, multiple disciplines, injury prevention, circuit training, workshops, private lessons, academic classes on everything from nutrition to the business of circus, and more. Seriously. Where else but circus school can you possibly fit this much into a day?!

WHAT MAKES NECCA’S PROTRACK UNIQUE?

Three important things: our coaches, our experience, and our graduates.

Our coaches:

These are the people that make NECCA what it is. Our coaches have decades of experience—not only working as performers in the top circuses and festivals in the world, but also in coaching people like you to live up to their potential. They don’t just know the material. They know exactly what it takes to get you there physically, artistically, and psychologically. They are with you every step of the way and are personally invested in your growth. This is the heart of everything that NECCA offers and the backbone of the ProTrack program.

Our experience:

We’ve navigated the path of becoming a professional performer for over 200 students. Our coaches have a deep understanding of common frustrations that are encountered and have codified methods for breaking through the inevitable mental and physical blocks. Our curriculum and teaching techniques are layered with intention and detail that has served our students for over a decade. We see the challenges before you do and we know how to guide you to trust yourself and face them—with a full team of support at your side.

Our graduates:

NECCA ProTrack graduates are everywhere! They are in shows all over the world and coaching in circus studios across the country. In fact, chances are you already know someone who is putting their circus education from NECCA to use. NECCA’s ProTrack is the longest running professional training program for circus artists in the United States. Our graduates have performed in Cirque du Soleil, Les 7 Doigts, Pippin, Cirkus Cirkor, and an array of touring shows, international festivals, cabarets, and cruise ships. There aren’t many companies that a NECCA graduate hasn’t been a part of in some way, and we bring the benefits of these numerous connections back to our current students.

PROGRAM DETAILS

A full-time, three-year professional circus program designed to create professional circus performers ready for the world stage. Each year’s schedule is designed to meet every student where they are and help them achieve the goals and get the gains they’ll need to work in the industry. The program consists of a full-time schedule of classes including a major and minor discipline, dance, theater, tumbling, hand balancing, juggling, flexibility, partner acrobatics, conditioning, creation, injury prevention and rehabilitation work, and academic classes to learn the business of being a performing artist. In each class, you’ll find masters in the field working with students of every level—challenging them creatively, artistically, and athletically to bring out their best and guide them each step of the way.

Year 1

Year One is designed to build a strong foundation and focuses on the physical body. Students dive into the curriculum and assess what physical blocks they may have, as well as what experience and knowledge they will need to fine tune their artistry and athleticism.

Their schedule is individualized according to their interests and level in a variety of areas (determined by periodic assessments). The weekly schedule includes:

Creative exploration and investigation in a major discipline
Physical theater
Dance
Tumbling and acrobatics
Hand balancing
Juggling
Partner acrobatics
Strength, endurance, and cross training classes

Mobility and flexibility
Prehab and injury prevention
An academic class covering an array of topics
Private and semi-private lessons in a major discipline
Two to three evening classes in subject areas of the student’s choice.

Year 2

Year Two builds on the foundation of the first year and focuses on the student’s artistry. Students continue to strengthen their foundation as they build their skills and expertise as they begin to focus on two primary disciplines (a major and a minor) and work to construct acts in each. Mornings consist of dedicated time to train majors and minors, followed by afternoon classes in:

Physical theater
Dance
Tumbling and acrobatics
Hand balancing
Juggling
Partner acrobatics

Strength, endurance, and cross training classes
Mobility and flexibility
Prehab and injury prevention
An academic class covering an array of topics

Year 3

The third and final year is designed to ensure that students are performing at an elite level and prepared to work in the industry. Year Three will admit 5-10 students each year, who spend dedicated time on finalizing their major and minor acts as they strengthen necessary skills as en ensemble in partner acrobatics, tumbling, handstands, dance, and physical theater. This group finishes each year with a devised ensemble show, directed by a guest director that tours theaters throughout New England while also being supported in creating the professional materials needed to be competitive in the industry.

Students should expect to be in rehearsal or touring full-time in April and May.

More Info

Disciplines Available

Students can choose to focus on:

Trapeze (single point, double point, duo)
Fabric
Rope
Trampoline, Mini Tramp & Tramp Wall
Chinese Pole
Handbalance
Straps
Partner Acrobatics
Lyra & Tippy Lyra
German & Cyr wheels
Clown
Wire
Juggling & Manipulation
Sling or Hammock
Static Cloud Swing
Invented Apparatus
Bungee

Tuition

The total tuition for the 2020 – 2021 school year is $10,750. The 2021 – 2022 tuition fee is subject to change.

The 2020 – 2021 payment schedule is:

$1000 deposit due upon acceptance to secure a spot.
$2400 installment due July 1st.
$816.67 due the 1st of the month from September through May.

Program Dates

The ProTrack Program runs from just after Labor Day in September through the first week in June, with a holiday break in December and one-week breaks in November, February, and April.

Who Should Apply

Anyone who has trained circus extensively and is looking to take their training to the next level. Anyone who has mastered what their current training can offer and needs a full-time program in order to realize their potential. Anyone who has experience in high-level gymnastics, dance, ice skating, or another athletic performing endeavor and is ready to apply their skills to circus.

Anyone who has decided THIS is what they want to do with their life! If you want to make your recreation your profession, NECCA’s ProTrack program can give you the skills, knowledge, and well-rounded circus education to make the leap. We’ve done it already. If this is really what you want to do, NECCA is the place that can help you make it happen.

Coaching Staff

Contact for More Information

Have a question or interested in learning more about our program? Please contact Elena Day, ProTrack Program Manager here.

Applications

All spots for the 2020-21 school year have been filled.
Check back in November 2020 for details about the 2021-22 school year.

All applicants interested in NECCA’s ProTrack Program must submit a video and references along with their application.

Acceptance into the program is based on levels of competence in:

Circus arts modalities
Dance & movement
Form & body awareness
Flexibility
Tumbling & acrobatics
Theater & performance

Application Resources

VIDEO GUIDELINES

Please show the following in your audition video, no longer than 5 minutes:

Begin with a short introduction, letting us know who you are.
For body awareness, control and form, please show us:
- Forward roll & dive roll
- Cartwheels on both sides
- Handstand against a wall or free-standing (preferred)
- Back bridge (from and back to standing preferred)
- Hollow Body
- Plank and 2 Push Ups
- Splits: all at once, from left, through center, to right split.
- Pull ups (with full body in view)
In addition, please demonstrate other tumbling skills that accurately display your abilities as well as a minimum of 3 sequences of material in your primary discipline.

Remember that your personality is important to us, so be sure it shows through.

Once you make your video, please title it “First Name, Last Name, 2020 NECCA Audition” then upload it to YouTube or Vimeo. Make sure that the privacy is set so that we can view it and include your link in your application.

PROTRACK APPLICATION FORM

Fill out the application form here.

PROTRACK REFERENCE FORM

Fill out the reference form here.

PROTRACK APPLICATION FEE

Pay your application fee here.

To Apply

Make your audition video and download it to YouTube or Vimeo.
Guidelines for video submission.
Complete our digital application form.
Provide two Letters of Reference.
Click here for reference submission form to provide to reference providers.
Pay your application fee here.

If you have any questions, please contact the Program Manager here.

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. Thank you!

DONATE HERE MORE INFO