youth academy
Together we create
The CircusWA Youth Academy is WA’s only state funded circus academy giving ambitious young people an opportunity to access circus skills training and physical theatre making and testing these skills by participating in productions in theatres across WA.
2027 YOUTH ACADEMY Auditions
Date: Sunday 13 December 2026
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Circus Substation – 2/10 Parry Street, Fremantle
Auditions are open to students of all physical arts and skills backgrounds, including circus, gymnastics, cheer, parkour and dance.
The Academy is made of two groups. You’ll be auditioning together and chosen for one of the two:
- Development Academy (12-15yrs)
- Performance Academy (14-21yrs)
Embark on a circus journey surrounded by a fun and supportive community.
APPLY
Applications close COB Monday 7 December 2026
Not able to make the audition?
Contact the office. Applications by video can be accepted.
E: discover@circuswa.com
The Academy creates a springboard into real pathways and opportunities in the performing arts industry, including community and contemporary circus, stunt work, theatre arts, dance, and technical production – with rippling impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.
Our Academy supports young people to be ambitious and follow pathways to a career in circus and physical theatre.
Underpinning the Academy is a focus on nurturing physical and emotional safety so risk taking and creativity can bloom. Through our productions we engage with socially relevant topics and work with teams of guest artists to create productions which are challenging and transformative for both audiences and performers.
The academy is made up of two streams:
DEVELOPMENT STREAM for children aged 12-15 years
PERFORMANCE STREAM for young people aged 14-21 years.
(More info on streams below)
Also embedded into the Academy are two priority streams which offer unique support and training pathways for Aboriginal youth and young people living with a disability:
DEVELOPMENT STREAM
(for 12-15 year olds)
This is designed for students who are interested in performing and exploring their circus skills further without a large investment.
This stream meets weekly on Sundays to improve their ensemble skills, explore aspects of performance and learn how circus acts are assembled. The Development Stream performs at a variety of community events and festivals some of which include Perth’s Boorloo Heritage Festival, International Street Arts Festival and Fremantle Long Table Dinner.
Weekly Training Expectations
- Thursdays foundation skills training (compulsory) 2hrs: 5-7pm
- Friday open training – this is non-compulsory attendance (2hrs): 5-7pm 2hrs: 5-7pm
- 1 specialist skills class a week (compulsory)
Cost: $1,965 for 12 months
This fee is made up of the following fees and can be paid per term:
- $300 per term – Thursday Academy Class, Friday open Training and any additional intensives and rehearsals
- $191 per term for 1 skills classes at the Freo Big Top (compulsory) – this is 40% off regular cost of classes
- NB: you can book into any additional skills classes with a 40% discount code
Performance Stream
(for 14-21 year olds)
This stream is made up of young people who are physically and creatively ambitious youth. Performers in this group are chosen based on their physical skills in circus, gymnastics, dance or parkour, as well as their commitment to performance making.
In this stream students train twice a week as an ensemble. Mid-week they focus on core strength and circus skills (partner/group acrobatics, teeterboard, tumbling) and on Sundays they focus on physical theatre and creating new productions.
The program is designed to prepare students for entry into specialist training institutions nationally and internationally, and is a pathway to production companies in WA such as Roadmap Entertainment (Formally Fliptease) and MAXIMA Circus. We have also designed partnerships with other youth companies around Australia. Currently we work with Flipside Circus in Brisbane and SA Circus in Adelaide.
The ensemble also participate in one tour – either a training, development or performance tour – which gives them an opportunity to meet other circus performers their age and familiarise them with other training centres and production companies around Australia.
Weekly Training Expectations
- Thursday Academy Foundations (3hrs): 5-8pm
- Friday open training – this is non-compulsory attendance (2hrs): 5-7pm 2hrs: 5-7pm
- Sunday performance training (2-3hrs): 12-3pm
SPECIALIST SKILL TRAINING:
- Min. 1 specialist skills class of students choice (this can be undertaken at any approved training centre)
ADDITIONAL HOURS:
Across the year expect between 50-100 additional hours for rehearsals and performances. The Annual program will be presented after the Auditions. We ask all students to agree to these expectations.
PERFORMANCES:
The number of shows varies every year. Expect a minimum of two productions and one smaller Academy presentation show each year.
Cost: $2,365 for 12 months
This fee is made up of the following fees and can be paid per term:
- $400 per term – Thursday Academy Class, Friday open Training, Sunday Performance class and all additional intensives, specialist training and rehearsals
- $191 per term for 1 skills classes at the Freo Big Top (compulsory) – this is 40% off regular cost of classes
- NB1: you can book into any additional skills classes with a 40% discount code
NB2: there may be additional costs to join tours but kept low through grants and partnerships
Leviathan by C!rca performed with CircusWA Youth Academy 2019 – image provided by Circa
Uglieland 1923 performed for Boorloo Heritage Festival and Fremantle International Street Arts Festival 2023 – image by Tashi Hall
Eclipse in partnership with NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts) 2023 – image by Edwin Sitt
