Profession circus artist

Circus artists develop original performance pieces showcasing great artistic and performing skills, emotive depth and artistic proposals for the general public. Alone, or collectively, they may perform one or more traditional or original circus disciplines, which are usually based on physical capabilities such as strength, balance, agility, flexibility, ability and coordination of body parts, and combined with performance disciplines such as dance, theatre, mime etc. The physical nature of the exercises performed often includes a certain level of risk for the performer.  

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Knowledge

• Acting and directing techniques

  Range of training and rehearsal techniches that seek to encourage emotionally expressive performances. Techniques to address all aspects in making a film, play, performance in general. 

• Circus aesthetics

  The way the circus concepts and traditions have evolved through time and their artistic meaning.

• Circus vocabulary

  The specific terminology related to the circus activities.

• Circus dramaturgy

  Understand how a circus show is composed.

Skills

• Practice circus disciplines

  Have a very high level of practical and technical skills and competences of one or several chosen circus disciplines in order to enter into the professional circus field.

• Balance the project requirements with health and safety concerns

  Adjust the level of effort required for the artistic production. Adapt or adjust movements and movement sequences. Set performance limits. Allow recovery periods and take other measures.

• Define the visual universe of your creation

  Define the visual universe that will surround the creation using painting, drawing, lighting, projections or other visual means

• Define artistic vision

  Continually develop and define a concrete artistic vision, starting from the proposal and continuing all the way through to the finished product.

• Apply company policies

  Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.

• Renew artistic practice

  Stay informed on new trends and apply them on artistic experiences.

• Work with circus group

  Work together with other circus artists and management. Make sure to do your part while keeping the performance as a whole in mind.

• Check circus rigging before performance

  Check the rigging installation for circus acts in order to ensure safe and correct operation.

• Check the production schedule

  Check the daily and long term schedules for rehearsal, training, performances, season, tour, etc., taking into account the project timeline and all the preparations required by the production.

• Analyse own performance

  Understand, analyse and describe your own performance. Contextualize your work in one or various styles, trends, evolution, etc. Self-evaluate your work in rehearsals and performances.

• Adapt artistic plan to location

  Adjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.

• Make up performing artists

  Use cosmetics on artists for stage performances.

• Manage artistic project

  Manage an artistic project. Determine project needs. Establish partnerships. Manage the budget, schedule, contractual agreements and assess the project.

• Coordinate artistic production

  Oversee the day-to-day coordination of production tasks so that the organisation fits within the desired artistic and business policies and in order to present productions in a uniform corporate identity to the public.

• Manage feedback

  Provide feedback to others. Evaluate and respond constructively and professionally to critical communication from colleagues and customers.

• Select artistic materials to create artworks

  Select artistic materials based on strength, colour, texture, balance, weight, size, and other characteristics that should guarantee the feasibility of the artistic creation regarding the expected shape, color, etc. - even thought the result might vary from it. Artistic materials such as paint, ink, water colours, charcoal, oil, or computer software can be used as much as garbage, living products (fruits, etc) and any kind of material depending on the creative project.

• Describe your artistic aspirations in relation to artistic trends

  Identify your areas of interest and ambitions. Relate them to artistic trends.

• Carry out physical training

  Plan and carry out a physical training regimen (daily) to maintain a good physical condition.

• Manage artistic career

  Present yourself and your artistic approach. Position your work in target markets. Promote and market yourself and your oeuvre.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB