Espoon Sirkus- ja Teatterikoulu ESKO

ESKO – Circus and Theatre School in Espoo, Finland

Located in Espoo, near Helsinki, Espoon Sirkus- ja Teatterikoulu ESKO is a performing arts school that offers circus, theatre and circus-theatre courses for children, teenagers and adults.

The school welcomes beginners as well as experienced practitioners and allows them to follow a progressive artistic path over several years. Activities are organized in different neighborhoods of Espoo and supervised by professional teachers.

ESKO stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, which combines technical learning of circus arts with creativity, theatrical play and show preparation.

A comprehensive circus arts education

The school offers a wide variety of circus disciplines, allowing students to discover several techniques before specializing.

The main activities include:

• Juggling , with various manipulation props.
• Floor acrobatics , to develop coordination, flexibility and strength.
• Aerial disciplines , which allow you to work on movements and figures in suspension.
• Balance exercises , to improve stability and body control.
• Handstands , which require precision, concentration and body control.
• Collective acrobatics , promoting cooperation and trust between partners.

Beginners start with simple exercises, while more advanced students can delve deeper into techniques that match their preferences.

The teaching places as much importance on physical progress as on artistic expression.

A school accessible from age 4

ESKO offers courses adapted to different age groups.

Children aged 4 to 6 can start with the Sirkusteatteritenavat program, which combines circus discovery and theatrical activities.

The sessions include games, motor skills courses, acrobatic exercises and body expression activities.

From the age of 7, students can continue their learning in circus or circus-theatre groups.

Older children and teenagers gradually develop their technical skills, independence, and creativity.

The school also offers courses for adults, including beginners.

A recognized artistic career

ESKO provides basic training in circus arts, called Taiteen perusopetus in Finland.

This system allows children and teenagers to receive regular artistic training, organized according to a national educational program.

The in-depth circus course comprises 1,300 hours of instruction , divided between fundamental and advanced studies.

At ESKO, training is organized around eight years of basic learning, followed by three years of advanced training.

Students gradually discover the different disciplines, develop their technique and learn to create acts.

Each year, they receive an assessment of their progress. A certificate can be issued at the end of the course.

This structured artistic training does not constitute a professional circus diploma, but it allows one to acquire in-depth technical and stage experience.

Circus theatre, a specialty of ESKO

One of the distinctive features of the institution is its circus-theatre program, which combines circus disciplines with acting.

Developed within the school, this educational approach has been the subject of research and experimentation since 2016.

Students discover circus techniques while participating in theatre, improvisation and performance exercises.

In particular, they can learn to use acrobatic movements to tell a story, create a character, or convey an emotion.

This formula is particularly suitable for young children, who discover the performing arts through play and imagination.

Since 2023, ESKO has also offered a structured circus-theatre course as part of Finnish basic arts education.

Students can thus develop their skills in both disciplines during the same course of study.

Circus classes for teenagers

Teenagers can continue their learning in groups adapted to their level.

The courses allow you to perfect your techniques in acrobatics, juggling, balance and aerial disciplines.

As they progress, students are encouraged to choose a main discipline and develop their own style.

They also learn to construct individual and group acts.

In the final years of training, students work on more elaborate artistic projects, including the creation and presentation of shows.

This progression allows them to discover the different stages of a stage production.

Specialized groups for advanced students

ESKO offers additional activities for students wishing to deepen their practice.

Participants can join specialized groups dedicated to acrobatics, aerial disciplines, or other circus techniques.

The school also offers physical preparation sessions and opportunities for independent training.

These activities allow motivated students to devote more time to their favorite subject.

Advanced practitioners can also join a performance group, called Keikkaryhmä , which participates in shows and various events.

This experience allows for the development of artistic skills, confidence on stage, and teamwork.

Courses for adults

ESKO also welcomes adults wishing to discover the circus arts.

The school offers courses in general circus arts, juggling and aerial acrobatics.

Participants can start without prior experience.

The sessions help develop coordination, strength, flexibility and body control in a friendly atmosphere.

Adults can also participate in the preparation of an end-of-year show, depending on the group's plans.

The goal is to allow everyone to progress while discovering the pleasure of practicing an artistic activity.

Theatre and stage performance

In addition to circus arts training, ESKO has a section dedicated to theatre.

Students can discover acting, improvisation, character creation and physical expression.

The courses promote creativity, communication and self-confidence.

The institution also encourages projects combining the two disciplines.

This complementarity allows young artists to develop a more comprehensive approach to live performance.

Shows throughout the year

Representation plays an important role in ESKO's pedagogy.

Students regularly participate in demonstrations, shows and collaborative creative projects.

These events allow them to showcase their progress in front of an audience and discover the demands of the stage.

The school organizes, among other things, Christmas shows, presentation evenings and graduation productions.

Advanced students can work on productions combining circus and theatre, with collective staging.

These projects allow them to develop their autonomy, creativity and ability to collaborate with other artists.

Workshops and activities for groups

ESKO also offers workshops and customized activities for different audiences.

The school can organize introductions to circus arts, theatre workshops and activities for groups.

Activities can be tailored to the participants' objectives, whether it be to discover a new discipline, develop cooperation, or participate in a collective artistic experience.

The establishment also offers services for parties, events and training courses.

These interventions allow the performing arts to be introduced to a wider audience.

Several educational institutions in Espoo

ESKO organizes its activities in different venues spread throughout the city of Espoo.

Its administrative office is located at Pappilantie 2, 02770 Espoo , where Studio ESKO is also located.

Other teaching locations include classrooms, cultural spaces, and facilities adapted to the disciplines offered.

This organization makes it possible to offer courses in several neighborhoods and to facilitate access to activities for residents of the region.

The exact locations depend on the group, the discipline, and the chosen time slot.

A pedagogy based on creativity and cooperation

ESKO advocates an artistic approach in which each student can experiment, learn and develop their personality.

The school welcomes participants regardless of their age, background, or experience.

Teachers encourage cooperation, mutual respect, and individual expression.

The institution also applies principles aimed at ensuring a respectful and safe learning environment.

He is also committed to a sustainable development approach.

This philosophy allows students to discover the performing arts in a caring and stimulating environment.

A school that prepares young people for artistic creation

Thanks to its progressive teaching, ESKO allows students to develop technical and artistic skills over several years.

Young people first discover the fundamental disciplines of the circus, then can deepen their knowledge of a specialty and participate in stage projects.

The final years of training place significant emphasis on the creation of acts, interpretation, and preparation of group performances.

The combination of circus and theatre is a real asset for students wishing to develop their artistic expression.

This training can also represent an interesting foundation for young people considering pursuing a career in the performing arts.

An original school in the Finnish circus landscape

ESKO stands out for the diversity of its programs and its ability to combine several forms of artistic expression.

The institution offers comprehensive circus arts education, theatre classes and an original circus-theatre training program.

Children can start from the age of 4, while teenagers and adults have opportunities for improvement adapted to their level.

Performances, advanced groups and collective projects allow students to develop their creativity and stage experience.

Thanks to its recognized educational program, professional teachers and multidisciplinary approach, ESKO is an important school for learning circus arts and theatre in Espoo, Finland .

Administrative address: Pappilantie 2, 02770 Espoo, Finland.

Official website: https://www.esko.fi/