Circus Artist Legal, Social & Cultural Professionals
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Circus artists develop original performance pieces showcasing great artistic and performing skills, emotive depth and artistic proposals for the general public. Alone, or collectively, they may perform one or more traditional or original circus disciplines, which are usually based on physical capabilities such as strength, balance, agility, flexibility, ability and coordination of body parts, and combined with performance disciplines such as dance, theatre, mime etc. The physical nature of the exercises performed often includes a certain level of risk for the performer.
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Where Do I Start?
Circus Dramaturgy
Understand how a circus show is composed.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Circus Artist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialCircus Dramaturgy knowledge
Understand how a circus show is composed.
Recommended Books
2 booksThe Contemporary Circus Handbook -
EssentialActing And Directing Techniques knowledge
Range of training and rehearsal techniches that seek to encourage emotionally expressive performances. Techniques to address all aspects in making a film, play, performance in general.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCircus Aesthetics knowledge
The way the circus concepts and traditions have evolved through time and their artistic meaning.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCircus Vocabulary knowledge
The specific terminology related to the circus activities.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdapt Artistic Plan To Location skill
Adjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Company Policies skill
Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCoordinate Artistic Production skill
Oversee the day-to-day coordination of production tasks so that the organisation fits within the desired artistic and business policies and in order to present productions in a uniform corporate identity …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Artistic Career skill
Present yourself and your artistic approach. Position your work in target markets. Promote and market yourself and your oeuvre.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Artistic Project skill
Manage an artistic project. Determine project needs. Establish partnerships. Manage the budget, schedule, contractual agreements and assess the project.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Feedback skill
Provide feedback to others. Evaluate and respond constructively and professionally to critical communication from colleagues and customers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSelect Artistic Materials To Create Artworks skill
Select artistic materials based on strength, colour, texture, balance, weight, size, and other characteristics that should guarantee the feasibility of the artistic creation regarding the expected shape, color, etc. - …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse Own Performance skill
Understand, analyse and describe your own performance. Contextualize your work in one or various styles, trends, evolution, etc. Self-evaluate your work in rehearsals and performances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialBalance The Project Requirements With Health And Safety Concerns skill
Adjust the level of effort required for the artistic production. Adapt or adjust movements and movement sequences. Set performance limits. Allow recovery periods and take other measures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCarry Out Physical Training skill
Plan and carry out a physical training regimen (daily) to maintain a good physical condition.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCheck Circus Rigging Before Performance skill
Check the rigging installation for circus acts in order to ensure safe and correct operation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCheck The Production Schedule skill
Check the daily and long term schedules for rehearsal, training, performances, season, tour, etc., taking into account the project timeline and all the preparations required by the production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDefine Artistic Vision skill
Continually develop and define a concrete artistic vision, starting from the proposal and continuing all the way through to the finished product.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDefine The Visual Universe Of Your Creation skill
Define the visual universe that will surround the creation using painting, drawing, lighting, projections or other visual means
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDescribe Your Artistic Aspirations In Relation To Artistic Trends skill
Identify your areas of interest and ambitions. Relate them to artistic trends.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMake Up Performing Artists skill
Use cosmetics on artists for stage performances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPractice Circus Disciplines skill
Have a very high level of practical and technical skills and competences of one or several chosen circus disciplines in order to enter into the professional circus field.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRenew Artistic Practice skill
Stay informed on new trends and apply them on artistic experiences.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork With Circus Group skill
Work together with other circus artists and management. Make sure to do your part while keeping the performance as a whole in mind.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of {{ profession.optional_skills|length }} displayed)
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OptionalEnsure Safety Of Exercise Environment skill
Select the correct training environment and assess risks to ensure it provides a safe, clean and friendly fitness environment and that it will be the best use of the environment …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSelect Music For Performance skill
Select pieces of music for a live performance. Consider factors such as ensemble abilities, availability of scores and the need for musical variety.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssess Artistic Proposal skill
Identify the essence of a proposed artistic project. Assess the strong and weak points of the proposal. Judge whether to accept the proposal, and whether to propose modifications.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDefine Rigging Needs For Circus Acts skill
Define the specific safety, technical and performance needs for circus acts rigging in a technical rider or description.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstruct Riggers On Assembly Of Circus Rigging Equipment skill
Instruct riggers in detail about intended use, place, requirements and safety issues of circus rigging equipment in order to ensure safe and accurate assembly and fit-up of the equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Rigging Equipment skill
Check rigging equipment before fitting up, and make small repairs if necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Body Language language skill
Use and understand body language, gestures and other paralinguistic cues.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Rope Access Techniques skill
Apply ropework to work in elevated position. Safely ascend and descend ropes, wearing a harness.
Course recommendations coming soon.