Zirkusschule Marotte – Adliswil Circus School

Zirkusschule Marotte is a circus school located in Adliswil , in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. For about thirty years, it has been developing circus arts education aimed primarily at children and teenagers .

His educational project is based on the conviction that the circus is a fantastic way to develop the physical, artistic and personal abilities of young people.

The school welcomes children with diverse abilities and experiences, offering them an environment in which each can discover their own talents and progress under the guidance of specialist educators .

A multidisciplinary approach

The teaching is based on the diversity of circus disciplines .

Students can discover juggling and various object manipulation techniques. These activities promote coordination, concentration, precision, and perseverance.

Balance disciplines also play an important role in learning. These include, in particular, work on a balance ball and on an American roller , also known as a rola-bola.

Floor acrobatics allows participants to develop their mobility, body control, and confidence in movement.

Aerial arts complement this discovery, particularly through the trapeze and aerial silks.

This multidisciplinary approach allows children to experiment with different forms of expression before delving deeper into the techniques that best suit their desires and abilities.

A pedagogy centered on individual development

Marotte's pedagogy pays particular attention to individual development .

The goal is not just to successfully perform a technical move, but also to learn to take initiative , to accept new challenges and to gradually develop self-confidence .

The circus thus becomes a space for experimentation in which young people can discover their potential, overcome certain apprehensions and build their autonomy .

The collective dimension

The collective dimension constitutes another essential element of teaching.

Participants learn to work with others, respect individual paces, and contribute to the success of a common project.

The Jahresrevue

One of the school's major events is its annual review , the Jahresrevue.

This real circus show allows students to present the acts they have prepared during the year to their families, friends and an outside audience.

Performance is a natural extension of learning: it allows young artists to discover the demands of the stage, the concentration needed to present an act, and the pleasure of sharing their work with the audience.

Traveling internships in Switzerland

In addition to its regular courses in Adliswil, Marotte develops a significant activity of workshops and circus weeks during school holidays.

The school operates in several Swiss tourist regions, in partnership with local organizations.

Bettmeralp, Valais

In Bettmeralp , in Valais, she organizes participatory weeks allowing children and teenagers to discover juggling, balances, ground acrobatics and aerial disciplines.

Participants are divided into groups based on their age and experience. No prior circus knowledge is required to participate in these introductory sessions.

The week ends with a public performance during which the children present the techniques and acts prepared with their teachers.

Savognin, Grisons

Marotte also develops circus weeks in Savognin , in the Grisons, in collaboration with the Val Surses tourist organization.

These projects allow the school to transmit circus arts beyond its permanent location in the canton of Zurich.

The instruction is provided by professionals in circus pedagogy , capable of adapting the exercises to the abilities and age of the participants.

Commitment to training and support

Marotte also maintains links with the Swiss sector of circus pedagogy training.

Werner Hug , head of the Zirkusschule Marotte, is involved in particular with CASCADE , an academy dedicated to the training of circus educators and facilitators.

The school also has a support association to assist its educational and artistic projects, including the annual review, workshops, internal training and activities promoting access to the circus for children and teenagers.

An established player in the circus arts in Switzerland

This combination of regular teaching, creation of shows, travelling workshops and pedagogical training gives Marotte a particularly complete identity.

With its location in Adliswil, its many years of experience and its projects organised in different Swiss regions, the Zirkusschule Marotte is an established player in the transmission of circus arts to young people in German-speaking Switzerland .