Circusschule TriBühne eV – Hamburg

Circusschule TriBühne eV is a major circus school based in Hamburg-Altona. Founded in 1999, it has become one of the leading circus training institutions in Hamburg and now has over 300 members aged from 5 to 60.

In its early days, TriBühne had around 65 children. The school has grown considerably since then and now offers regular circus arts training to several hundred children, teenagers and adults.

Founders and educational objectives

The project was founded by Harms Haddorp , Holger de Vries and Conny Haddorp , who have complementary backgrounds in sports science, pedagogy, acrobatics, aerial work and circus arts.

TriBühne's educational goal is to boost children's and teenagers' self-confidence through the unique experience offered by circus arts. The school views the circus as an artistic practice , a physical activity , and an educational tool .

Circus arts help develop motor skills, coordination, and physical fitness. But TriBühne places just as much importance on social skills: teamwork, autonomy, responsibility, and self-confidence are among the school's stated objectives.

A multidisciplinary teaching team

The teaching team has skills from various fields. The instructors have training in sports science, pedagogy, educational sciences, dance pedagogy and circus arts disciplines.

The subjects taught

Acrobatics

Acrobatics is one of the important aspects of the teaching. Participants can develop their physical abilities and work on individual or group creations adapted to their age and level.

Juggling

Juggling also plays an important role. Different accessories and techniques are used to work on coordination, rhythm, creativity, and the construction of routines.

Unicycle and balance

Unicycling and balance disciplines are part of the school's regular activities. Walking on a ball is offered in workshops and training courses, alongside other techniques for developing balance and body control.

Dance and stage performance

TriBühne also develops dance and stage performance activities. The goal is therefore not simply to master a technical difficulty: learning is progressively integrated into acts and shows designed to be presented before an audience.

Aerial disciplines

Aerial disciplines also feature in the project, thanks in particular to the teaching team's experience in this area.

The inclusive circus

A key feature of TriBühne is its commitment to inclusive circus . The school welcomes children and teenagers with and without disabilities into several of its regular groups.

These groups include TriX , TriTrax, and TrilleFix . The training sessions allow young people to practice circus arts together while developing their artistic, physical, and social skills.

TriBühne also welcomes young adults with disabilities. Inclusion is therefore not offered only as a one-off event: it is part of the school's regular operation.

The groups prepare creations intended for public presentation. Acrobatics, juggling, dance, unicycling and other techniques can thus be brought together in real shows with staging and an artistic universe.

Discovery weekends and holiday courses

In addition to regular classes, TriBühne organizes circus discovery weekends several times a year. These workshops allow children who are not yet attending the school to try out different disciplines.

Children can, for example, try out unicycling, juggling, ball walking, and various other activities before choosing the disciplines they wish to explore further. The weekend concludes with a presentation for families and friends.

The school also organizes a Feriencircus during school holidays. These workshops allow children to immerse themselves in circus arts for several days.

The holiday program combines training, games, creative activities, and the preparation of a short final performance. Children can practice skills such as juggling, ball walking, acrobatics, and diabolo.

School-based interventions and training

TriBühne also works directly with schools. Its "Circus macht Schule" program allows for the organization of project weeks, activities for a class or an entire school level, and various interventions developed in collaboration with the schools.

The team can also support a school wishing to create its own Circus-AG . TriBühne then provides advice, training and educational support to help teachers and educators set up a sustainable circus activity.

Training courses are also offered to teachers, educators, and social work professionals. These courses enable participants to acquire circus techniques and understand how to teach them to different audiences.

MitmachCircus and cultural life

TriBühne also develops MitmachCircus activities. At neighborhood festivals, events, and other gatherings, the public can discover circus arts and try out different disciplines directly, accompanied by the school's instructors.

Over the years, more than 800 children have participated in the open weekends, several hundred in the holiday programs and several thousand people have discovered the circus arts through the interventions organized in public spaces.

Performances play an important role in school life. The various groups regularly present their creations in Hamburg, particularly at festivals and in partner venues.

The school thus fully participates in local cultural life. Its productions are not only conceived as the culmination of technical training but as genuine artistic projects allowing participants to experience performing on stage.

A place dedicated to Hamburg

TriBühne now has its own training space in the former Dosenfabrik on Stresemannstraße in Hamburg. Several studios allow for the simultaneous hosting of classes, rehearsals, workshops and projects.

With over twenty-five years of existence , more than 300 members and an offering ranging from regular courses to shows, including inclusion, internships, school projects and professional training, Circusschule TriBühne is today one of the important circus education structures in Hamburg.