Transsiteatteri Hurjaruuth

Located in Helsinki, Finland, Tonttukoulu is the circus school of Transsiteatteri Hurjaruuth , a professional theatre specializing in contemporary dance and circus. Since 2005, it has offered artistic training for children, teenagers, and families.

Located in the Kaapelitehdas cultural center, a former cable factory converted into an artistic space, the school allows you to discover the different disciplines of the circus in a creative and friendly environment.

Tonttukoulu stands out due to its direct link with a professional theatre. Students can thus discover circus techniques while being introduced to stage expression, costumes and the creation of shows.

A varied education in circus arts

Tonttukoulu offers a multidisciplinary learning experience allowing children to discover several circus techniques.

The main subjects taught include:

• Ground acrobatics , including rolls, cartwheels, balances and various acrobatic movements.
• Acrobatics in pairs , which allows you to learn how to work with a partner.
• Human pyramids , promoting cooperation, coordination and trust.
• Aerial acrobatics , to discover the movements and figures on suspended apparatus.
• Juggling , with various manipulation props.
• Balance exercises , which develop stability and body control.
• Theatrical expression , allowing the combination of circus techniques with play and interpretation.

The exercises are adapted to the age and level of the participants. Beginners discover the fundamental movements, while more experienced students can deepen their technique and build sequences.

The teaching emphasizes the enjoyment of learning, creativity, and individual progress.

The circus for toddlers

Tonttukoulu offers circus sessions for children aged 1 to 3 years , accompanied by an adult.

These courses, called Taaperosirkus , allow a first discovery of movement and circus arts.

Activities include motor skills games, balance exercises and simple movements adapted to the development of young children.

The adult participates directly in the exercises and accompanies the child in their discoveries.

These sessions promote coordination, confidence, and the pleasure of sharing a physical and artistic activity.

Classes for children aged 4 to 9

Children can join autonomous groups from the age of 4 .

The school offers courses specifically for 4-6 year olds , 5-7 year olds and 7-9 year olds .

The youngest children discover circus arts through games, coordination exercises and introductions to different disciplines.

Older children gradually develop their skills in acrobatics, juggling, and balance.

The sessions also allow participants to learn how to work with others, to follow instructions, and to gain confidence in their abilities.

The approach remains playful while offering appropriate educational objectives.

Courses for children and teenagers aged 10 to 15

Tonttukoulu also offers groups for older children and teenagers.

These courses allow students to deepen their skills in acrobatics, juggling, balance and aerial disciplines.

Participants develop their strength, flexibility, coordination and body control.

The teaching places great emphasis on collective work and the creation of circus sequences.

Students can also discover the basics of stage performance and learn how to present their skills in front of an audience.

This progression allows young people to develop a regular artistic practice in a supportive environment.

Family circus classes

The school offers family circus sessions aimed particularly at children aged 4 to 7 accompanied by an adult.

These courses allow parents and children to discover different circus activities together.

Participants perform simple acrobatic exercises, balance games, and coordination activities.

Adult involvement promotes cooperation and mutual trust.

These sessions provide an original way to share an artistic activity while developing motor skills and creativity.

The school also offers an international family course taught in English, allowing non-Finnish-speaking families to participate in activities.

Clown workshops

Tonttukoulu also offers a specialized clowning course called Klovneria , intended for children aged 9 to 12 .

This activity allows you to discover another dimension of circus arts, more focused on theatrical expression and stage performance.

Participants explore movement, expressions, comic situations, and character creation.

The goal is to develop imagination, spontaneity, and confidence in front of an audience.

This discipline complements the technical training of the circus by giving an important place to creativity and interpretation.

A progressive and user-friendly teaching method

Since its creation, Tonttukoulu has favoured structured teaching, but without a spirit of competition.

Students are encouraged to progress at their own pace, to discover their abilities and to develop their self-confidence.

The exercises are adapted to different age groups and technical levels.

The school places particular importance on mutual support, cooperation and respect for other participants.

The courses are led by teachers specializing in circus arts, including Haidi Sadonkorpi , Celso de la Molina and Karoliina Nordin .

Their experience allows them to guide children in learning techniques while maintaining a pleasant and motivating atmosphere.

Presentations and shows for families

The artistic dimension occupies an important place in Tonttukoulu's teaching.

At the end of the fall semester, the school organizes training sessions open to families.

These meetings allow parents to discover the activities undertaken and the progress made by the children.

In the spring, the students participate in an end-of-year celebration including circus performances.

One of the special features of this performance is the possibility of using the costumes and sets from the Transsiteatteri Hurjaruuth.

Children thus discover the world of live performance and can showcase their skills in a theatrical environment.

These events allow them to showcase their work and develop their confidence in front of an audience.

A special link with a professional theatre

Tonttukoulu benefits from its integration into Transsiteatteri Hurjaruuth, an artistic structure recognized in the Finnish cultural landscape.

Founded in 1981 , this theatre specializes in contemporary dance and circus shows for children, families and adults.

His productions combine different forms of artistic expression, including dance, acrobatics, music and theatre.

The theatre also hosts Finnish and international artists and companies.

This environment offers Tonttukoulu students an interesting proximity to the professional world of live entertainment.

The famous Hurjaruuth Winter Circus

The Transsiteatteri Hurjaruuth is particularly known for its annual winter circus show, called Talvisirkus .

This large-scale production brings together professional artists from different circus disciplines around an original creation.

The shows combine acrobatics, juggling, aerial disciplines, music and staging.

Each edition develops a new artistic universe and is aimed at a family audience.

The performances are held in the large Erkko hall of the Tanssin talo, also located in the Kaapelitehdas complex.

The Winter Circus is an important cultural event in Helsinki and helps to make contemporary circus arts known to a wide audience.

An arts center located in Kaapelitehdas

Tonttukoulu is located at Tallberginkatu 1, 00180 Helsinki , in the Kaapelitehdas cultural center.

The school is located on the fifth floor, accessible via staircase A.

The Transsiteatteri Hurjaruuth also has its own performance stage on the second floor of the same building.

This proximity between teaching spaces and theatrical facilities is one of the distinctive features of the institution.

Classes are organized several days a week, with groups adapted to different ages.

A circus school at the heart of artistic creation

Tonttukoulu combines learning circus arts with discovering live performance.

Children can develop their coordination, strength, balance and creativity while learning to work with others.

Parent-child activities allow for an early discovery of movement, while groups for teenagers offer more in-depth learning.

Clown workshops and stage performances complement technical disciplines by encouraging personal expression.

Thanks to its link with the Transsiteatteri Hurjaruuth, Tonttukoulu constitutes an original circus school in Helsinki, where artistic teaching is directly integrated into the world of contemporary theatre and circus .

Address: Tallberginkatu 1 A, 5th floor, 00180 Helsinki, Finland.

Official website: https://hurjaruuth.fi/sirkuskoulu/