Electric Circus

Presentation

The École du Cirque Électrique is a circus school located under a big top at 10 Place du Maquis du Vercors, Porte des Lilas , in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. Created in 2013 , it now constitutes the component dedicated to the transmission and practice of circus arts within the larger project of Cirque Électrique , an artistic collective founded in 1995 and based at Porte des Lilas since 2010 .

Pedagogy and identity

This integration into a genuine place of creation and performance gives the school a unique identity. Here, learning circus arts is not separate from the stage: the institution explicitly advocates a "pedagogy of play and performance," considering circus first and foremost as an artistic practice combining creation, experimentation, risk-taking, and interaction with the public.

Opening hours, target audiences and operation

Classes and activities take place from Monday to Saturday , from September to July . The school welcomes individual practitioners, school groups, after-school programs, and community groups, as well as people from the medical and social services sector. Specific time slots are also reserved for professional artists.

Children's course

For children, learning can begin as early as age 2. The activities progress according to age and educational objectives, from shared explorations to technical workshops and opportunities for specialization.

Early childhood and preschool

The parent-child workshops for 2-3 year olds and 3-4 year olds offer a first shared exploration of the circus world. The Baby Circus sessions (preschool level) use motor skills circuits, group games and exploration of the apparatus to develop gross motor skills, balance and self-confidence, without the pressure of performance .

Elementary school and 6-8 year olds

From elementary school onwards, the practice gradually becomes more technical. Children discover the four main circus families and benefit from adapted multidisciplinary courses.

• Floor acrobatics — learning basic motor skills and simple figures.
• Aerial disciplines — introduction to silks, trapeze and aerial hoop.
• Juggling — object manipulation and coordination.
• Balancing on objects — balance ball, wire, rola-bola.

CM1 at 16 years old

From the fourth grade (CM1) up to age 16 , the school continues its multidisciplinary approach while offering specialized workshops, particularly in aerial arts and acrobatics . The goal is to gradually guide young people to make artistic choices and to become involved in developing a stage performance.

End-of-year show

The end-of-year show is an important milestone in the program. Each student is encouraged to explore their interests and participate in a collaborative creation presented to the public. The shows take place in June and are free of charge.

Adult pathways

For adults, the system is particularly flexible: classes are open to different levels, and it's possible to attend a single class, buy a card, or subscribe. There's no need to commit to a single discipline or a single evening for the entire year: everyone chooses the classes according to their availability.

• Come to the unit
• Buy a card
• Subscribe

Ground acrobatics

Floor acrobatics focuses on movements, steps, jumps, lifts, and acrobatic figures, while incorporating fluidity of movement, choreographed sequences, and teamwork. It remains accessible to beginners and requires no prior experience.

Aerial techniques

Aerial techniques occupy a major place in the school. Practitioners work on ascents, descents, figures, holds and controlled falls, with progression adapted to their level.

• Fabric
• Aerial hoop
• Straps
• Fixed trapeze
• Smooth rope

Juggling

Juggling is documented and structured: object manipulation, individual and group practice, passing. Equipment includes balls, clubs, spinning plates, devil sticks, and diabolo. Therefore, it's a school you can definitely tag with the diabolo in NetJuggler.

Bodywork and contortion

Bodywork includes handstands, contortion, and flexibility. Balance classes explore support on the hands, head, and forearms, and then, for advanced levels, dynamic balances, one-handed work, weight shifts, and influences from breakdancing and acrobatic dance.

Contortion is approached gradually, respecting the capabilities of each individual body. The school emphasizes an accessible and individualized practice combining active and passive flexibility , body positioning, and injury prevention.

Internships, workshops and school holidays

During school holidays, excluding Christmas break, the Electric Circus School organizes courses and workshops for children: introductory workshops, parent-child sessions, multidisciplinary workshops, or longer courses focusing on aerial arts and acrobatics. Some courses culminate in the preparation of a short performance for families.

The school also offers workshops for adults allowing them to delve deeper into a discipline on a one-off basis with a specialist instructor (sessions dedicated to aerial straps, flexibility, contortion, etc.).

Arts education, equipment and safety

Arts and cultural education is a key focus: the school welcomes school groups, associations, and leisure centers for discovery sessions, introductory courses, and annual projects. It explicitly mentions Arts and Cultural Education (EAC) programs and other initiatives that can be developed in collaboration with schools.

The equipment used is professional and meets safety standards. Projects can be adapted according to the age, number of participants, number of sessions, and objectives of the partner organization.

Medical and social care populations

The school welcomes participants from the health and social care sector, a dimension stated in its mission. The current website does not provide sufficient detail to qualify the activity as "Adapted Circus" in the sense of a specific specialization or label. NetJuggler considers it appropriate to indicate "health and social care participants / adapted projects," without specifying any unconfirmed label.

Welcoming professional artists

Training slots are reserved for professional artists previously identified by management. Applicants must provide proof of their professional activity (employment contracts or, failing that, a CV and a video of them performing). Professional training sessions are limited to 20 people .

Vocational training

These training sessions should be distinguished from a professional qualification program: the school offers practice spaces and hosts professional training courses, but the current pages do not present a permanent qualification program comparable to a higher circus school.

Link with the stage and the School Top

The relationship with the stage is ongoing. Adults have access to the Circus Experiences , monthly open stages under the School Top, allowing students to experience presenting a work in front of an audience.

Artistic environment and identity

The interplay between learning and creation is strengthened by the environment of Cirque Électrique. The Porte des Lilas site hosts circus, theatre, dance, cabaret, concerts, dances, poetry, exhibitions, and performances. The program alternates between original Cirque Électrique productions and guest projects.

The venue's artistic identity is deliberately hybrid, contemporary, and alternative . Since 1995, Cirque Électrique has combined circus, music, and urban culture to prioritize experimentation, creation, and multidisciplinary forms.

This proximity to artists and shows gives the school a rich environment: students attend a truly vibrant cultural venue, with artists, shows, rehearsals, creations and an audience.

Conclusion

The École du Cirque Électrique offers a particularly comprehensive program for amateur circus arts in Paris: from parent-child workshops for children as young as two to specialized adult classes, from children's camps to professional training. Its main distinguishing feature remains its conception of circus as a performing art : experimenting with techniques, choosing a discipline, inventing, creating, and then engaging with the public are integral parts of the learning process.