Circus Theatre – Geneva Circus School

The Théâtre-Cirqule is a circus school located in Thônex , in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1989 by Gérard and Yvette Challande , it has been developing a multidisciplinary teaching of circus arts for more than thirty-five years in an original environment: a real practice space set up under a big top .

The school welcomes children, teenagers and adults through several educational pathways adapted to their age, experience and artistic aspirations.

Educational pathways

Baby Circus and preparatory training

Training begins as early as age 3 with Baby Circus, an initial introduction to movement and the circus world. Children aged 5 to 7 can then join a preparatory program that allows them to gradually acquire the first technical skills.

Leisure Training

From age 8 , the Leisure Training program offers an in-depth exploration of the different branches of circus arts. Each session includes a section dedicated to acrobatics and another dedicated to circus techniques .

The students practice in particular floor acrobatics, trampoline and mini-trampoline, but also juggling, unicycle, trapeze and tightrope walking.

The aim is to allow children to experience a wide variety of disciplines before gradually developing their personal preferences. Emphasis is also placed on the artistic and performance aspects of the practice.

Performing Arts Training

For young people wishing to get more involved, the Theatre-Circus offers a Performance Training course accessible from age 8 .

This course includes five hours of weekly instruction , combining circus techniques, acrobatics, dance and acting.

It allows students to develop their creative autonomy and to approach circus arts as a complete artistic practice, going beyond the mere achievement of technical feats.

Acrobatics , dance , and theatre are the fundamental disciplines of this training. They allow young people to enrich their physical expression, work on their stage presence, and gradually build their own artistic language.

Artistic Training

Artistic training is also offered from age 10 to students who have already completed at least one year of Performing Arts training.

This more intensive course includes a minimum of eight hours of teaching per week , including a creative workshop on Saturday afternoons.

Participants develop their own artistic work while continuing their technical training.

This progressive organization is one of the distinctive features of the Circus Theatre: the school allows students to move from a playful introduction to regular practice, and then to a path more focused on performance and creation .

Adult classes

Adults also have their own classes.

The establishment also develops an approach adapted to older adults , with sessions emphasizing getting back into movement, physical maintenance and the gradual discovery of circus arts.

Internships during the holidays

The Théâtre-Cirqule also organizes workshops during Geneva school holidays, particularly at Easter and during the summer .

These camps welcome children from the age of 5 , with formats adapted to their age. Older participants can delve deeper into the disciplines of their choice during more intensive training days.

Creation and representation

Creation and performance play a significant role in the institution's identity. Theatre and dance instruction, combined with the practice of various circus techniques, allows students to explore the expressive possibilities of the circus.

With its history beginning in 1989 , its location under a big top , its numerous educational courses and its teaching combining technique and creation , the Théâtre-Cirqule constitutes a historic circus school in the Geneva region, open to both beginners and young people wishing to develop a more demanding artistic practice.