Träumer, Tänzer und Artisten eV – Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Garbsen

Träumer, Tänzer und Artisten eV , often abbreviated TTA, is a circus for children and teenagers based in Garbsen, near Hanover in Lower Saxony. The non-profit organization was founded in 2002 to allow young people to discover and regularly practice circus and variety arts.

Regular training sessions began in August 2003. Since then, the association has developed a permanent activity combining learning circus techniques, artistic creation, shows, workshops, camps and intercultural projects.

An offer for young people aged 6 to 20

The regular program is aimed at children, teenagers and young adults aged 6 to 20. Participants meet once a week under the supervision of former artists and experienced members of the association.

Beginners join a group where they gradually discover the basics of various circus and variety disciplines. The goal is not only to reproduce techniques but also to learn how to transform them through their own creativity.

More experienced participants then join the advanced groups . They have more autonomy to develop their disciplines and create the acts that will be integrated into the association's shows.

The subjects taught

Acrobatics is one of the main disciplines taught. It allows young people to develop body control, coordination, strength, confidence, and cooperation with other participants.

Unicycling is also a historical discipline of TTA. Young people gradually learn to master balance and movement before integrating this technique into choreographies and group acts.

Juggling plays an important role in the training. Participants experiment with different forms of manipulation and learn to build sequences that can then be used on stage.

Balance training includes activities such as tightrope walking and balance ball work. These disciplines help develop concentration, posture, coordination, and perseverance.

Aerial disciplines are also part of the association's current repertoire. Recent shows have included aerial hoop and aerial straps.

The range of activities varies depending on the groups, the coaches' skills, and the creations being prepared. TTA thus seeks to maintain an open approach to circus arts rather than a program strictly limited to a few disciplines.

Circus and other forms of artistic expression

An important feature of Träumer, Tänzer und Artisten lies in the link created between circus techniques and other forms of artistic expression.

Dance , theatre and music are directly integrated into the creative process. The young people are therefore not simply preparing a series of technical demonstrations: they learn to transform their skills into genuine variety acts.

Participants take part in decisions concerning their creations. With the help of coaches, they imagine their acts, choose their movements, think about the music and work on their stage presence.

This autonomy becomes even more important in the advanced groups. The association aims to give young people as many opportunities as possible to participate in the artistic design of the program themselves.

Shows, camps and projects

Performing in front of the public is an essential part of the activity. The young artists participate in several shows and events throughout the year.

TTA notably produces its own major galas. The shows combine acrobatics, juggling, unicycling, aerial disciplines, dance, theatre and various artistic forms around a common theme .

The organization also runs circus camps and weekends . These periods allow children and teenagers to train more intensively, discover new techniques and strengthen group cohesion.

The internships and workshops organized in Lower Saxony also give young people the opportunity to meet other practitioners and participants in the world of circus.

An inclusive philosophy

The association advocates a strongly inclusive philosophy. Its motto states that there is no child who cannot do anything: the goal is to discover each person's strengths.

Origin, religion, skin color, gender, or physical and intellectual abilities should not be barriers to participation. The circus is used as a space allowing children and teenagers from diverse backgrounds to practice and create together.

Intercultural and international projects

This philosophy has led the association to develop intercultural and international projects. Young people from many countries and cultures have participated in TTA's activities over the years.

International exchanges also occupy a special place in the history of the association. Young people from Garbsen have notably participated in international circus meetings and festivals.

TTA has travelled to India several times as part of the International Children's Festival of Performing Arts . These projects have allowed young German artists to present their creations while meeting groups from other countries.

The association also participates in meetings and exchange projects in Germany and in various international contexts. Circus then becomes a common language, allowing connections to be made despite linguistic and cultural differences.

Opening and activities outside the walls

Projects are not limited to regular members. TTA also develops initiatives that allow new children to discover circus arts.

For example, some holiday camps offer the opportunity to immerse oneself for several days in the world of the circus, to choose different disciplines and to collectively prepare a final performance.

The association also works in schools. New circus activities have been developed in several primary schools in Garbsen to make the practice accessible to children who might not otherwise attend the association.

These projects allow students to discover acrobatics, juggling, balance and other techniques in a school setting while using the collective values associated with the circus.

An association run by volunteers

Träumer, Tänzer und Artisten operates largely thanks to the commitment of volunteers . Former artists who themselves grew up in the association pass on their knowledge to new generations.

This transmission helps to create continuity between age groups and allows teenagers to gradually take on more responsibilities.

The association thus encourages young people to become not only artists but also active participants in the operation of their own project.

More than twenty years after its creation, Träumer, Tänzer und Artisten remains an active structure in the circus landscape of Garbsen and the Hanover region.

Its operation combines weekly training sessions, shows, camps, workshops, school projects and international exchanges with a conception of the circus in which artistic development, self-confidence, creativity, cooperation and openness to others are closely linked.