What is Flying Trapeze?
Flying trapeze is a circus act where one person flies from a swinging bar across a safety net and is caught by someone on another swinging bar. Everyone who learns starts by wearing harnesses that are connected to the rig by “lines”. As they progress, flying trapeze artists learn to perform tricks with accurate timing and eventually fly without the harness, what we call “out of lines”. It involves twists, turns, strength, flexibility, and a lot of chalk and sweat!
Who are Gorilla Circus?
Gorilla Circus is a world-class flying trapeze school that has been operating in London Royal Parks since 2009. Every year we teach thousands of students flying trapeze, from complete beginners to advanced fliers. Our students range from 8 to 78 (so far!). We have three rigs: one in Regent’s Park and two in Kensington Gardens. The training will be held mainly in Regent’s Park.
What is the Professional Pathways Programme?
The Professional Pathways Programme (PPP) is similar to an apprenticeship programme. We give you the training and skills to begin a career in Flying Trapeze. Your training time is paid, and at the end of the programme, you will have learned the necessary skills to be a platform assistant at a London Grande Volant flying trapeze school.
Who will be teaching the program?
Training will be led by our school’s manager, Bruno Luna, who has years of experience as a catcher in flying trapeze shows, teaching flying trapeze, and training instructors to teach.
What does a Platform Assistant do?
A flying trapeze class requires 3 team members: a catcher, a safety lines puller, and a platform assistant. The PPP focuses on the platform assistant role. Platform assistants present safety demonstrations, lead group warm-ups, perform rigging and maintenance checks, help students put on safety belts, chat with students, and create a friendly, supportive environment. They also help students learn tricks on the low bar, safely spot students, perform tricks out of lines in demonstrations, and spend the majority of their day standing in the sunshine on a small wooden platform in the sky, helping people jump from the platform in the correct position and at the correct time. They work as part of a team and have access to opportunities to progress their flying and instructor skills.
Who is this training for?
We are looking for potential rather than experience, therefore, no prior flying trapeze or circus training is required. We are particularly seeking groups who are underrepresented in circus, such as people who identify as being in the global majority, people who faced barriers in education, and people who face barriers in accessing training including financial, geographic and other barriers. We want to open opportunities up to people who have never considered circus as something that might be a possibility for them.
When and Where does it run?
Monday 13th April – Wednesday 13th May, Regent’s Park, 10:00am – 1:30pm
Exact days TBC
What does it pay?
The training programme pays £15ph. There is no pay for the assessment phase.
What happens when the programme finishes?
We do not guarantee employment to participants. However, there is potential to be hired for part-time work with the flying trapeze school. Past participants of the program have attended additional training and now work full time in circus.
How do I apply?
Following the video call, we will invite selected candidates to a Physical Assessment Day where you will meet Bruno and Arabella, ask questions, and participate in some physical exercises. This will take place during the day on March 9th in London.
We are able to offer 6 spaces on the programme. Successful participants will be contacted a few days after the physical assessment day.
Accessibility
While strong upper body strength is essential, if you have a disability, a mental health condition, or any questions at all about accessibility, please reach out to Arabella at: [email protected]. If you’re thinking, “I really want to do this, but I’m not sure I’m good enough,” please reach out to us with any questions; we want to hear from you!
