RatzFatz – Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Bochum

RatzFatz is a circus for children and teenagers based in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia. The organization combines learning circus techniques, artistic creation, and stage experience.

From school origins to independence

RatzFatz 's story begins in 1994 at the Goethe-Schule in Bochum.

The project was initially created as a school working group, in cooperation with Variety and Cetera of Bochum.

Over the years, the business has grown and developed its own identity.

Since 2012 , RatzFatz has operated as an independent non-profit association .

Although its training sessions are still organized at the Goethe-Schule, registration for the circus is not reserved for students of this school.

Children and teenagers aged approximately 10 to 18 years can join the structure and gradually develop their artistic skills.

A diverse practice of circus arts

RatzFatz offers a particularly diverse practice of circus arts.

• Juggling is one of the main disciplines taught.
• Acrobatics is another important focus of the school and also benefits from a team of several instructors.
• The wire allows students to discover balance and cable movement techniques.
• Unicycling is also among the disciplines offered regularly.
• Students can also practice hula-hooping , poi and stilt walking .

Several specialized coaches accompany the young people in learning and perfecting the different handling techniques.

RatzFatz 's program goes beyond the disciplines traditionally associated with the circus.

The school includes cheerleading , performance dance and various forms of choreography .

The team also possesses skills in duo acrobatics , contortion and flamenco .

This diversity allows young artists to gradually build their own path according to their abilities and interests.

A strong culture of performing arts and entertainment

RatzFatz has above all a strong background in stage performance .

The goal is not just to learn techniques during training: the young people prepare acts intended to be actually presented in front of an audience.

The different disciplines are brought together in stage concepts combining artistic acts, choreography and presentation.

RatzFatz thus develops his own shows.

The structure can present both short interventions and programs that can last approximately two hours .

A new creation centered around fire has also been developed for the 2026 summer tour.

Tours and meetings with the public

The young artists regularly participate in performances outside of their training location.

RatzFatz organizes tours, among other things.

During the summer of 2026 , the circus went back on tour along the German coast, with several performances in Dahme on the Baltic Sea.

This experience allows young people to discover dimensions of the circus that go far beyond weekly training: collective preparation, rehearsals, travel, setup, performance and relationship with the public.

RatzFatz also offers participatory activities allowing the public to discover circus arts.

These introductory sessions are usually associated with the troupe's performances and allow visitors to experience different techniques.

Walkacts and artistic interventions can also be organised during events.

A specialized management team

The association has a large team of supervisors specializing in different disciplines.

The circus is managed by Arne Tilgen .

The different coaches intervene according to their specialties: juggling, acrobatics, contortion, duo acrobatics, tightrope walking, unicycle walking, stilt walking, poi walking, cheerleading, dance and choreography.

RatzFatz also benefits from the professional support of Varieté et cetera in Bochum, a historical partner of the project since its inception.

This close connection with professional entertainment contributes to the school's unique identity.

Training organization

Training sessions are organized several days a week at the Goethe-Schule facilities.

• Juggling and acrobatics are practiced particularly on Thursdays and Fridays .
• Tightrope walking , unicycling and hula-hooping also have regular time slots.
• Poi and stilt walking are practiced on Fridays , while cheerleading and show dancing have training on Wednesdays .

However, the association voluntarily adjusts the number of new registrations to the supervisory capacity of its team.

It therefore prioritizes the quality of support for young people already present rather than a permanent increase in the number of members.

A school, a troupe, and a collective project

RatzFatz is therefore both a circus school , a troupe of young artists and a true collective creation project .

The stage plays a vital role in his approach: training provides the necessary techniques, but performances give a concrete purpose to the work done throughout the year.

With activity started in 1994 , a large team of trainers, numerous disciplines and a real experience of shows and tours, RatzFatz is today a well established circus structure for children and teenagers in Bochum .