Any degree seeking student at FSU is eligible to become a part of the FSU Flying High Circus. We accept new students at the beginning of each fall semester only and have a cut off date at the end of the third week of classes to join. There are many opportunities for students to become involved in the Circus both on the performing side as well as behind the scenes in production (sound, lighting, costumes, stage management, etc.). There is a three step process for perspective members to join.
"Boot Camp" is not only a training tool but also our version of an audition process. We have far more students interested in practicing and performing an act than we can accommodate in our show so we are looking for students who are willing to dedicate their time to be here, work hard through stretching and conditioning, and show the potential to grow acrobatically through coaching. The two, hour-long sessions each week, simulate the minimum requirements for a student's rehearsal schedule if they are cast in an act. Following the fourth week of "Boot Camp" we will post the cue for our spring home shows as well as our final cast list by act.
If you are cast to rehearse an act for shows, there will be various requirements expected of you throughout the year. You will be expected to attend all of your rehearsals (a minimum of an hour and a half per week), put in time helping with the daily rigging and work at the lot (another hour or two each week), and maintain an expected level of strength and flexibility through daily stretching and conditioning. There will also be occasional work days on the weekend which will be mandatory and it goes without saying that attendance at ALL shows and show rehearsals are mandatory. Please make sure you that are able and willing to dedicate the appropriate amount of time to the circus when making your decision to join.
PEM1952, Circus Activities, is a one credit hour class offered through the P.E. department. There are two sessions of this class offered in the fall semester only, T/TH 9:30-10:30 and T/TH 1:00-2:00. This is not a mandatory class to join the circus and by taking it you are not obligating yourself to join the circus. The circus class is purely for fun. Throughout the semester you will have the opportunity to try many of the acts we perform in our show, both aerial and ground, as well as learn some of the basic rigging we do on a daily basis, such as how to set up a net.
Circus Alumni are strongly encouraged to stay actively involved with the Circus post graduation. Each year in April, our home shows culminate with our "Alumni Weekend" in which we invite all of our past performers to join together to celebrate and support the continued growth of our program. On the final Saturday of our home show series, we hold an alumni meeting in which we share past, present, and future information on the Circus as well as present all business associated with the Circus Alumni Association. Following the final show, the alumni host an "after party" in which present and past performers have the opportunity to meet and share their experiences.
Each year, the Circus hosts an Alumni Banquet in a different city to renew and revitalize relationships between past performers and our current Circus program. Look for upcoming dates and locations in our next newsletter.
Parents of performers are encouraged to become involved in the FSU Flying High Circus. During our home show series in April, we host a weekend specifically geared towards parents in which we hold a special "meet and greet" with the staff and tour of our facilities. There are demonstrations on how we train our students as well as descriptions of the methods we use for safety. Parents are also encouraged to get involved with the fundraising and sponsorship efforts of the circus.
The FSU Flying High Circus encourages the Tallahassee community to become involved in one of the oldest and most unique collegiate traditions in the city. Our Halloween show in October and home show series in April, provide one of kind performances that are family friendly and highly anticipated throughout the community year to year. To find out more on how to get involved with the circus please visit our sponsors page.
