Cirquons Flex

Cirquons Flex is developing a project in Saint-Denis de La Réunion that combines a circus school, a professional company, artistic creation, transmission and cultural activities.

Created in 2007 by Virginie Le Flaouter and Vincent Maillot, the company has been developing a contemporary circus deeply linked to Reunion Island and its cultural identity since its beginnings.

Circus school and transmission

Alongside its professional creative work, Cirquons Flex is committed to democratizing and passing on circus arts on the island. The company has been developing traveling workshops for many years and, since 2014, has offered regular workshops for teenagers and adults. Its educational activities have gradually become more structured, now offering a comprehensive learning program for children, teenagers, and adults.

The teaching is based on the major families of circus arts: acrobatics, juggling, object balancing, aerial disciplines and expressive games.

Students gradually discover these different practices before being able to delve deeper into the disciplines that best match their desires and level.

For younger children

For younger children, the teaching focuses on motor exploration and discovering the world of the circus. Children learn to better understand their bodies, to move in space, and to gradually discover the different apparatus.

From age 6 , the program is enriched with acrobatic techniques, juggling, balancing on objects and aerial disciplines.

The older groups continue this discovery while gradually deepening the techniques and developing individual and collective work.

Aerial disciplines

Aerial disciplines are one of Cirquons Flex's major specialties.

Specific courses are dedicated to aerial acrobatics using trapeze, silks, aerial hoop and rope. They combine physical preparation, acrobatic basics on the ground, technical learning on the apparatus and artistic exploration.

Teenagers and adults can thus progress from discovery to advanced practice.

The artistic dimension is present at all stages of learning. Stage improvisation, choreographic work and research with or without apparatus gradually allow students to go beyond mere technical acquisition.

Students can be supported in creating a performance intended to be presented to an audience.

The year ends in particular with Cirquons Fête , a day of presentation of the workshops resulting in a show.

Workshops and adapted circus

In addition to weekly classes, Cirquons Flex organizes workshops during school holidays.

These workshops can be dedicated to discovering the different branches of the circus arts, but also to creating a real show. The children then work on circus techniques while participating in the construction of the acts, costumes, masks, and the final presentation.

The company is also developing an approach to adapted circus .

Circus arts can be used as a tool in educational or therapeutic projects conducted with organizations that support people with disabilities. The activities are then adapted to the target audience and the project's objectives.

Artistic support and professional dimension

Cirquons Flex also carries out significant artistic support work.

The organization welcomes and supports young artists from Reunion Island and the Indian Ocean. It can provide an external perspective on a first creation and support candidates preparing for entrance exams to professional and international circus schools.

Free training time is also offered to experienced practitioners to allow for autonomous and regular practice.

The company also works in the school field. In particular, it has supported the circus arts specialization at the Vincendo high school, with teaching combining practice and theory, in-depth training in acrobatics and aerial disciplines, meetings with professional artists, cultural outings and creative work.

Cirquons Flex finally has a significant professional dimension.

The company creates and presents its own shows in Reunion Island, mainland France and the Indian Ocean. It develops a contemporary circus language nourished by Reunion Island identity and the island's diverse cultural influences.

For several years, the project has also relied on Îlet Chapitô in Saint-Denis, a place dedicated to circus arts hosting workshops, shows, residencies, cultural activities and events.

This close relationship between teaching, creation and dissemination allows students to practice in an environment directly connected to professional contemporary circus.

Cirquons Flex thus offers a particularly wide range of courses: discovery from childhood, multidisciplinary courses, aerial specialization, internships, creation of shows, adapted circus, autonomous training and support towards professional schools.