Circus Okidoki – Meppel

Circus Okidoki is an amateur circus school located in Meppel, in the province of Drenthe, in the northeast of the Netherlands. It offers regular circus arts instruction primarily for children and teenagers aged 6 to 18, as well as activities adapted for adults.

The school develops an educational project based on the discovery of circus disciplines, the development of physical and artistic abilities and the pleasure of practicing together.

Circus Okidoki aims to allow everyone to discover circus arts, regardless of their abilities or experience. The association therefore welcomes children who are beginners as well as young people with several years of experience.

The courses are led by specialist teachers, assisted by volunteers who contribute to the running of the school. General circus arts courses are taught by Marie Tiggelman and Yentl Hijmans, among others.

Children discover different disciplines during weekly sessions. Teaching is based on a multidisciplinary approach, allowing students to experiment with several techniques before gradually developing their preferences.

Juggling is one of the fundamental disciplines offered by Circus Okidoki. Students learn to manipulate different objects and develop their coordination, concentration, and precision.

Diabolo is also one of the activities taught. This discipline allows children to discover rotational movements, throws, and sequences of figures.

Participants can also learn how to manipulate bolas, called poi, which allow them to work on rhythm, coordination and fluidity of movement.

The unicycle plays an important role in the school's activities. Students gradually learn to find their balance, move around, and develop their mastery of this device.

Tightrope walking is another activity offered. It helps develop stability, concentration, and self-confidence. Children also discover balancing on a large circus ball. This activity requires good coordination and helps improve posture and body control.

The rola-bola, consisting of a board placed on a roller, is also among the techniques taught.

Acrobatics plays a central role in the curriculum. Students develop their strength, flexibility, coordination, and body awareness through various exercises. Group activities also encourage cooperation and mutual trust.

Circus Okidoki also offers an introduction to aerial disciplines in its general classes. Children can thus learn different techniques performed on suspended apparatus.

For students wishing to delve deeper into these disciplines, the school organizes specialized aerial acrobatics courses . These sessions are devoted to several apparatus, including aerial silks, trapeze, and aerial hoop.

Participants gradually learn to climb, hang, rotate, and perform various maneuvers. The instruction combines technical learning, muscle strengthening, and flexibility exercises. Students thus develop the physical abilities necessary for the progressive practice of aerial disciplines.

Specialized classes typically last 1 hour and 30 minutes and are organized into several groups. The school offers groups specifically for beginners and for more experienced practitioners. This structure allows students to progress according to their level and benefit from personalized guidance.

General courses are also divided according to the age of the participants. Children in primary school have several weekly time slots. Teenagers can join specific groups from the age of 12, and then from the age of 15.

Sessions for younger children generally last one hour, while classes for teenagers are organized for an hour and a half. The regularity of the training allows students to gradually develop their skills and discover different disciplines throughout the year.

Circus Okidoki also places great importance on artistic creation . Each group prepares an annual performance for families and friends. These shows allow students to showcase the techniques learned during classes.

Preparing a performance is an important experience in their development. Children learn to coordinate their movements, work on their presentation, and participate in a group project. They also discover the joy of sharing their work with an audience.

For young people particularly motivated by the stage, Circus Okidoki offers a group specializing in the creation of shows. This group, called Voorstellingsgroep , brings together students who are already participating in regular classes.

The young artists benefit from an additional two hours of training every Friday. They work together to prepare acts to be presented at external events.

Participation in this group is based primarily on motivation and prior performance experience. Members must have participated in at least one show before joining the group.

The young artists then present their creations in the Meppel region. The association indicates that this group usually performs about once a month.

These performances allow students to gain stage experience and discover the demands of circus arts creation. The young people learn to work together, prepare their acts, and adapt their performances to different venues.

This activity is a natural extension of the weekly classes. It allows participants to develop their technical skills while discovering the artistic and collective dimensions of the performance.

Circus Okidoki also offers activities for adults. A specific group, called Adolledoki , is included in the weekly program. It allows participants over 18 years of age to practice circus arts within the framework of the association's activities.

This openness to adults helps to make Circus Okidoki a place of practice accessible to several generations.

The school also offers introductory workshops in circus arts. These activities can be organized for groups, events, or children's birthday parties. Participants can discover different disciplines in a fun and collaborative setting. These workshops help to introduce circus arts to a wider audience.

Circus Okidoki also participates in various local events. The young artists in the performance group can present their acts at festivals and events organized in Meppel and the surrounding towns. The association thus offers an activity combining regular instruction, artistic creation, and public performances.

One of Circus Okidoki's key features is its commitment to accessibility . The school aims to enable children to participate regardless of their physical abilities. Its educational approach encourages each student to discover their potential and progress at their own pace.

Teachers adapt activities to encourage participation from as many people as possible. The association specifically states that classes are open to children with disabilities. This inclusive approach is a key element of its identity.

Circus arts are seen as a way to develop physical abilities, but also self-confidence and social skills. Students learn to persevere, take on new challenges, and discover their own talents.

The diversity of disciplines allows everyone to find an activity in which they can progress. Some children develop a preference for juggling or diabolo, while others are more interested in balances, acrobatics or aerial disciplines.

Group exercises also foster mutual support and cooperation. Students learn to respect each other's abilities and to work together to successfully perform certain routines. Preparing for performances contributes to the development of creativity and personal expression.

Circus Okidoki also pays particular attention to financial accessibility . Families experiencing difficulties paying membership fees can, in particular, contact Kindsupport Meppel , a local child support organization.

The school also offers trial sessions, allowing people to discover the activities before registering. New participants can take a free introductory session or benefit from a discovery package including three classes at a reduced rate. This structure makes circus arts more accessible to families wishing to explore the activities offered.

Circus Okidoki has its own training space in Meppel. Classes, rehearsals, and performances for families can be held at the association's premises. This space allows students, teachers, and volunteers to come together around a common project. The association thus fosters an environment in which technical training is combined with genuine community life.

With its weekly classes, specialized aerial acrobatics groups, and regular performances, Circus Okidoki is a key organization for amateur circus arts in Meppel. The school allows children to start as young as 6, teenagers to continue their development, and adults to discover or practice different disciplines.

His project combines multidisciplinary discovery, technical development, artistic creation, and inclusion. Circus Okidoki thus offers an environment in which participants can develop their skills, gain confidence, and share the joy of practicing circus arts together.