Circus Calibastra – Jugendzirkus Stuttgart

Circus Calibastra is a major youth circus based in Stuttgart-Vaihingen. Simultaneously a circus school, a community education association, and a collective artistic project, it allows children and teenagers to regularly practice circus arts and participate in the creation of real shows.

The story of Calibastra originated in a small performance put on after a school trip in 1985 at the initiative of teacher Rudi Ballreich . The project then developed into a school circus at the Michael-Bauer-Schule before becoming an independent non-profit association.

Since 1994 , Circus Calibastra has operated as an association and welcomes young circus enthusiasts from Stuttgart and its surroundings.

In 2001 , the city of Stuttgart recognized Calibastra as an independent youth support organization and as an actor in extracurricular education.

Today, approximately 180 young people regularly participate in training sessions.

Learning can begin as early as the fourth grade in German school .

For younger children, the teaching offers a playful introduction to the fundamental disciplines of the circus.

Juggling , acrobatics , human pyramids and dance are among the first basic skills covered.

As students progress, the number of accessible disciplines increases considerably.

• Young people can explore different forms of juggling with balls, rings or clubs.
• Diabolo is also among the disciplines offered.
• The balance techniques allow you to discover, in particular, the unicycle and the tightrope .
• Aerial disciplines occupy an important place in teaching with aerial silks , aerial hoop and trapeze .
• Acrobatics is practiced in several forms: ground acrobatics, dynamic acrobatics, duo acrobatics, human pyramids or trampoline .
• The Cyr wheel is also one of the specialties taught by the team.
• Other more original practices enrich the program, including stick fighting and different forms of choreographic work .

Clowning and theatrical play also occupy an essential place in Calibastra's identity.

The objective is not solely to train young people in the execution of circus techniques.

The educational project seeks to simultaneously develop physical abilities , personal expression , creativity , confidence and the ability to build something collectively .

From a certain level, students choose certain disciplines they wish to explore further while retaining the possibility of discovering others during free practice and workshops .

Training sessions are organized several afternoons per week .

They are supervised by a team made up of circus professionals , specialized educators , coaches and experienced former students .

This intergenerational transmission constitutes an important dimension of the project.

Young practitioners can gradually gain autonomy and participate themselves in the life of the circus.

Workshops organized during certain weekends and programs during the holidays complement the weekly training sessions.

The circus year is entirely focused on one major collective project: the creation of the shows presented before the summer holidays.

For about three weeks , Circus Calibastra sets up its big top in Stuttgart-Vaihingen.

The young artists then present to the public the disciplines and acts prepared during the year.

These shows are a truly unique feature of Calibastra.

The acts are not simply presented one after the other as in a traditional gala.

Each year, a new story is imagined in order to link the different disciplines.

Classical circus , clowning and theatrical elements are thus blended to create a truly collective spectacle.

Live music also accompanies the performances.

Teenage and more experienced artists can participate in the Nightshow , a show more oriented towards a contemporary circus and variety aesthetic.

The young people then work with a directing team to build a story that can also address social issues .

This artistic dimension allows participants to experience the entire process leading from training to performance in front of an audience.

Summer shows can accommodate several thousand spectators in total.

Calibastra also places particular importance on the social and educational dimensions of the circus.

The association views the circus as a space where everyone can find a place that matches their abilities and interests .

The diversity of disciplines offers numerous opportunities for success and personal expression .

Working together fosters mutual support , responsibility , and a sense of belonging to a group .

The association also participates in various projects around inclusion , diversity and urban culture .

She participates in local events and has notably developed projects with refugees .

Circus Calibastra also has a system dedicated to the protection and well-being of children and adolescents , with designated contact persons identified within the association.

The project ultimately relies on strong volunteer involvement .

While the pedagogical, artistic teaching and staging are provided by paid professionals , a large part of the organization is carried out by several dozen volunteers .

Setting up the big top, technical aspects, costumes, organizing the shows and various tasks necessary for the life of the circus thus become a true collective project involving young people, families, artists and volunteers.

Circus Calibastra is therefore much more than just a circus workshop. With around 180 young practitioners , a wide variety of disciplines , regular training , a specialized teaching team and major annual productions under the big top , it represents a true circus school for the youth of Stuttgart.