Nina's House – School of Circus & Performing Arts

Nina's House is a circus and performing arts school located in Marseille for over twenty years. Situated on the Old Port , it is a place dedicated to learning, creating and passing on circus arts to children, teenagers and adults.

The school views circus arts both as a living art and as a non-competitive physical activity . Its teaching methods aim to allow each individual to progress at their own pace, developing their physical abilities, confidence and self-esteem, as well as their imagination, emotions and artistic expression.

The practice can begin in early childhood . La Maison de Nina develops workshops adapted for very young children and then offers regular classes for different ages and levels, up to adult practice. The school also offers holiday camps during school breaks .

A multidisciplinary approach

The teaching is multidisciplinary . In juggling, students can work with balls, spinning plates, and clubs. Balancing acts include the tightrope, the rola bola, the balance ball, and stilts.

Acrobatics also plays a significant role in the training, with ground work, lifts, and hand-to-hand acrobatics. This is complemented by various aerial disciplines such as trapeze, silks, and aerial hoop. The Chinese pole is also featured in some specialized workshops.

Nina's House pays particular attention to the link between technical learning and expression . The child learns to master their body in space, to understand and accept instructions, to manage their energy and emotions and to gradually surpass themselves within the framework of the ring.

The workshops are held in a space fully equipped with professional equipment for learning and training. The atmosphere of the venue is inspired by the world of the circus tent , and the classes are led by professional artists and instructors .

An artistic and educational team

The team is led by Nina , whose real name is Sophie Ortiz , director and circus instructor. Coming from a theatrical family, she has practiced circus arts since childhood and also has a background in magic, theater, and performance. Manon co-directs and teaches circus arts, specializing in early childhood.

Workshops and training courses for all ages

Nina's House also offers workshops during school holidays . Children can discover or further develop their skills in juggling, acrobatics, partner acrobatics, hand-to-hand balancing, and aerial disciplines. Different formats are offered depending on age, particularly for 3-5 year olds and children from 6 years old .

Parent-child workshops and activities for toddlers complement this activity, allowing a first approach to the circus through motor skills and sensory and bodily discovery.

Adults also have a specific workshop allowing them to discover and work on different circus techniques in an approach adapted to their level.

A place of transmission and creation

Beyond its courses, La Maison de Nina develops creative, outreach, and intervention projects with schools, institutions, and various cultural partners. It thus defines itself as a place of transmission and creation as much as a school for amateur practice.

The organization is run with a strong artistic focus linked to live performance , theatre and magic. It benefits in particular from the support of Norbert Ferré , international magician and patron of the school, as well as Aurélia Kats , circus artist and godmother of the project.

Nina's House is a multidisciplinary circus school that allows children to discover the circus arts from a very young age and continue practicing them into adulthood. Its program combines technical training, artistic expression, physical development, self-confidence, and creation in an environment directly inspired by the world of performance.