Bühnerei – Winterthur Circus and Theatre School

Bühnerei – Raum für Theater & Circus is a cultural and educational association located in Winterthur, in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland.

The organization is developing an original artistic project combining two complementary worlds: circus arts and theatre .

Throughout the year, it offers regular courses , workshops and programs during school holidays , intended for children, teenagers and adults.

One of Bühnerei's special features is that it welcomes participants from early childhood, with activities accessible from two and a half years old .

Floh-Circus offers a first encounter with the world of circus arts. Younger children discover the joy of moving, experimenting, and playing in an environment adapted to their age.

Other workshops, such as Zwergenwelt and Bühnenwirbel , gradually guide children in their discovery of movement and artistic expression.

For school children, the school offers a specific program called Circuswelt .

Circuswelt I welcomes students from the first year of primary school, while Circuswelt II allows older children, from the fourth year onwards, to continue their learning.

These courses form the core of Bühnerei's regular circus teaching.

Participants discover the possibilities offered by circus arts, develop their physical skills and learn to move within a group.

Progress takes place in a framework that prioritizes experimentation , creativity and the pleasure of practice.

The association places particular importance on the collective dimension of learning.

In contrast to an approach based exclusively on individual performance or competition, Bühnerei values mutual support , respect for others , and cooperation .

Each participant is encouraged to discover their own abilities, develop their talents and gradually gain confidence.

Learning artistic techniques thus becomes a way to also develop personality , autonomy and social skills .

The theatre occupies an equally important place in the functioning of the institution.

Specific courses, including Bühne frei Kids and Bühne frei Youngsters , allow children and teenagers to discover stage performance and develop their presence in front of an audience.

This proximity between theatre and circus fosters a comprehensive approach to the performing arts, where movement, expression, imagination and relationships with partners can come together.

Bühnerei also offers activities for adults.

The Circus Move course, accessible from age 16, allows you to practice a physical and artistic activity in the world of the circus.

The establishment also has an artistic ensemble, the Bühnerei Ensemble , intended for participants aged 16 and over.

The activities are supervised by a team of experienced educators, specializing in theatre, circus and movement.

The educational project seeks to offer a space in which participants can experiment freely, develop their curiosity, discover new skills and enjoy learning together.

The life of the association is not limited to weekly classes.

Occasional workshops and holiday programs complement the annual offering, allowing children to devote more time to artistic practice.

Bühnerei also makes its premises available for personal training, rehearsals, workshops, seminars and various meetings.

Art supplies, props and costumes can be borrowed depending on their availability.

The teaching team also works outside the school to organize activities, workshops and specific projects.

This opening allows Bühnerei to participate more broadly in the cultural life of Winterthur and its region.

The association is based on a non-profit operation and also benefits from the commitment of volunteers participating in the daily organization, the management of equipment and representations.

Bühnerei thus constitutes a true amateur teaching structure, with an annual program organized by age, courses specifically dedicated to the circus and a pedagogy combining artistic development, motor skills, creativity and cooperation.

Its dual identity, between a circus school and a theatre space , makes it a particularly interesting place for families wishing to offer children a complete artistic practice, in a friendly and non-competitive environment.