The Kipouni's

The Kipouni's — circus school and company in Saint-Étienne

Les Kipouni's is an association based in Saint-Étienne, France, that combines a circus school and a professional company. Located in Saint-Étienne , in the Loire region, it has been developing a project for several decades that blends the transmission of circus arts, amateur practice, artistic creation, and the presentation of shows. The Les Kipouni's association was founded in 1995 , initially as the stage name of the aerial duo formed by Claire Marsal and Gilles Thomann . In 2002 , the organization truly became a company with the arrival of Blandine Thevenon and the creation of its first aerial and clown show.

A circus school for children as young as 3

The Kipouni's Circus School welcomes a wide range of participants, from baby circus classes for 3-year-olds to workshops for adults. Regular classes are held at the Tardy Gymnasium, 50 rue de Tardy in Saint-Étienne . They are led by qualified instructors holding certifications such as the TIAC (Title of Circus Arts Training) or the BPJEPS (Professional Certificate in Youth, Popular Education and Sport) in Circus Activities .

Juggling, acrobatics, balancing acts and aerial disciplines

The teaching is based on the main families of circus arts: acrobatics , juggling and object manipulation, balancing on equipment and aerial disciplines .

• Juggling : scarves, balls, rings, Chinese plates, devil sticks, diabolos.
• Balancing on objects : balance ball, American roller, reels, stilts, acrobatic bikes.
• Acrobatics : ground work, human pyramids.
• Aerial disciplines : apparatus such as the trapeze and aerial silks.

A teaching method based on trust and respect

Kipouni's offers personalized learning rather than striving for the same level of performance for everyone. The school describes its teaching method as practice within a playful environment, fostering confidence , respect for others , and self-control while preserving the physical and moral well-being of each participant. The goal is also to progressively move beyond technical learning by working on the creation and composition of acts or performances.

Specific courses for teenagers and adults

From adolescence onwards, the workshops become more specialized. Young people can, in particular, work simultaneously on acrobatics, juggling, balance, and aerial arts. For adults and practitioners aged 15 and over, several options are offered, and specific time slots are dedicated to beginners wishing to discover aerial arts.

• Suggested activities : juggling and balance, aerial disciplines, AcroYoga.
• Beginner slots : introduction to aerial arts for adults and teenagers.

An art class

The Kipouni's also offer an artistic class designed to explore the creative and performance aspects of circus arts. This approach has led to several collaborations with other artistic organizations, particularly music schools.

• Projects carried out with the music schools of Roche-la-Molière, Saint-Galmier and Saint-Jean-Bonnefonds.
• Collaboration with the Ben-Arabi high school in Cartagena (Spain).
• Project with the Massenet music school in Saint-Étienne.

Internships during school holidays

The school organizes courses during school holidays. For the 2026-2027 season, multidisciplinary courses are offered to children from 5 years old, as well as courses dedicated to aerial disciplines from 9 years old.

• Multidisciplinary internships starting from age 5.
• Aerial courses for ages 9 and up.
• Specialized courses for teenagers and adults: aerial hoop, trapeze, silks, rope, aerial dance.

A school that operates beyond its walls

The Kipouni's develop off-site workshops in partnership with various organizations in the department. Regular classes are organized with several youth centers (MJC), and the disciplines offered are adapted to the age of the participants.

• Disciplines offered outside the walls: acrobatics, juggling, balancing on equipment.
• Partnerships with MJC and local structures to offer regular cycles.

Interventions in schools and in structures

The school works with schools, community centers, youth centers, and other educational and social organizations. The diversity of the students served is particularly important: early childhood, preschool, elementary school, teenagers, high school students, adults, senior citizens, and people with special needs. Various approaches are available to tailor the interventions to the specific projects of each institution.

• Discovery Project : one to five sessions for a first approach to circus disciplines.
• Parent-child project : shared practice time as a family.
• Long-term projects : creation of a show, rehearsals and performance in front of an audience.

The adapted circus

The Kipouni's develop an adapted circus activity. This approach does not simply consist of offering circus to people with disabilities: the circus is considered as a tool at the service of a project built between different professionals, according to the abilities, needs and objectives of the public concerned.

• Possible interventions with people with physical or mental disabilities.
• Working with IME, ITEP, IMC, ADAPEI and other specialized structures.

A school accredited by the FFEC

The Kipouni's Circus School holds the "Amateur Practice" quality accreditation from the French Federation of Circus Schools ( FFEC n°42283 ). The school also holds a "Youth and Popular Education Activities" accreditation from the Departmental Directorate of Youth and Sports. Workshops are led by instructors with professional qualifications in circus arts teaching, including BIAC , TIAC , or BPJEPS certifications, depending on the activity.

A truly professional company

Alongside the school, the professional company develops original productions blending aerial circus, clowning, juggling, illusion, music, and burlesque theatre. The shows are aimed particularly at young audiences and families and can be performed indoors, outdoors, or under a big top.

• Among the creations: The Audition , a clown duo paying homage to the great clown acts in the history of the circus.
• Children's show: The Sun has a date… intended for young audiences from 3 years old.

A big top experience for school groups

The company offers " In the Circus Ring " days, allowing children to discover the professional environment of the circus. Since 2023, Les Kipouni's have set up their big tops in Saint-Étienne, at Parc François Mitterrand , to welcome school groups for a full day.

A structure that links education and live performance

The Kipouni's program offers children as young as three the opportunity to discover the circus arts, practice regularly, participate in workshops, specialize in certain disciplines, develop an artistic approach, and meet professional artists. Their work with schools, social service organizations, people with disabilities, and audiences of all ages helps make circus arts accessible to everyone. The simultaneous presence of the school and the company creates a seamless connection between learning, creation, and live performance, establishing circus as a fully-fledged artistic discipline.