National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in Prahran, Victoria | Performing arts school

National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA)

Locality: Prahran, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 9214 6975

Address: 39- 59 Green Street 3181 Prahran, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.nica.com.au

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• Circus
• Performing arts school
• Higher education

25.01.2022 We are excited to share that NICAs living legend Mr Guang Rong Lu OAM will on The Circus Arts Hubs discussion panel: Circus Schools and their Influence on the Artform. Mr Lu helped to establish NICA in 1997 so his insight will be very interesting! RSVP here: https://www.thecircusartshub.com//circus-schools-and-their

25.01.2022 "Life is barely worth living without music, dance, and theatre." Tony Wright nails why the arts and performers are vital to the creative soul of a city and its citizens. https://www.theage.com.au//needing-a-cheer-up-we-await-the

25.01.2022 An update for our valued Short Courses students and Open Training community. Under current restrictions, we need to remain closed for alumni and open training and all NICA Short Course classes until further notice. We will update you about reopening or further cancellations as we receive news, and we will initiate a credit or refund process for cancelled classes. We’re looking forward to getting all training and classes back to full capacity as soon as it’s safe to do so. We’ll be communicating all updates about re-opening on our social media and over email so please keep an eye out for those updates as restrictions ease

25.01.2022 So you want to be a circus acrobat? Hear from Billie Wilson-Coffey about what the job is like. Billie discovered Spaghetti Circus at the age of 11 before moving to Melbourne to study at the National Institute of Circus Arts in 2007. She has been an ensemble member at Circa since 2013. Check out the interview at ArtsHub: https://performing.artshub.com.au//so-you-want-my-arts-job

24.01.2022 Join us tomorrow morning for a Facebook Live in NICA Short Courses with the one and only Earl Shatford, master juggler!

24.01.2022 Diving through our show archives has got us thinking about our next getaway post isolation! // 2018 Third-Year Ensemble Quest-ce Que Cest with Ciara Thorburn and Jordan Twartz// Image by Aaron Walker

23.01.2022 Meet our third year students! Introducing Leo Pentland From the age of five years old Leo’s ambitions as a circus performer, director and creator have not wavered. Training from a young age at NICA, Leo was enrolled in NICA Short Courses, going on to complete 10 years at NICA before being accepted into NICA's Certificate III and IV and then Bachelor of Circus Arts. Currently in his final year, Leo excels at aerial straps, slackwire and group acrobatics.... Off stage, the integration of modern-day production design with the captivating risk inherent in acrobatic performing is what excites Leo the most about working in the circus industry. He is always interested in new ideas and pushing the form of what circus is. In the future he hopes to push what can be possible when an onstage ensemble meets the technology of modern-day theatre. Sean Paris

23.01.2022 NICA is currently accepting applications for entry into Bachelor of Circus Arts and Certificate IV in Circus Arts in 2021. Are you a circus artist, gymnast, dancer, martial artist or have another physical skill? Use your skills to launch a creative career that could take you around the world. Applications close 16 October 2020. APPLY NOW: link in our bio... @aaronwalkerphotography Featured alumni: Lyndon Johnson & Brooke Duckworth

22.01.2022 Digging through the NICA archives and we came across this gem. What an awesome costume and act! // Showcase 2016 #nicaalumni#nica#aerials#circus#circuseverydamnday

22.01.2022 Chookas to our NICA alumni for their current season of Railed Railed is by the incredible Head First Acrobats, featuring NICA alumni Cal Harris (2014), Thomas Gorham (2011), Harley Timmermans (2017) and Adam McMahon (2015). A western themed circus spectacular, combining the trademark physical talents, finely chiselled bodies and hilarious comic timing of the Head First Acrobats.... Railed is showing at The Rechabite in Northbridge, WA until 20 June. Get your tickets here: https://megatix.com.au/events/railed

20.01.2022 Learn how to stay fit in quarantine with some badass moves, beats, and Meg Ferrier! Meg is gonna graduate soon, holding out for NICA Showcase 2021! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIHCgaasRe8&feature=youtu.be

20.01.2022 Its not too late to get your strength back before short courses classes resume again the the near future. We have a YouTube channel dedicated to circus specific online classes to keep you on track! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmKVkRLnso8

19.01.2022 Join our trainer Tessa on Facebook Live now to learn how to engage those glutes properly before a workout.

19.01.2022 The full playlist from our Digital Open Day is now up on YouTube. Want to hear more about what it's like studying Circus Arts full-time at NICA as well as some essential audition tips? Check it out.

19.01.2022 Keely Tyler-Dowd had some seriously good tightwire skills in our 2015 showcase - Last Orders! Remember to email us if you have inquiries regarding your 2021 NICA audition journey: [email protected] #NICAShow #IsolationCircus #AustralianCircus #NICAAlumni #NICAAuditionJourney

19.01.2022 Kids! This one is for you! Join Mark every Friday for the next 4 weeks as he hosts Living Room Circus. In our first NICAs Living Room Circus lesson, students will learn the basic shapes of circus, juggling and begin the choreography for the week 4 performance.... You will need: A living Room Chair 1 x juggling Ball (ie. An orange, a tennis ball etc) A lunch Box Join us tomorrow, Friday 24 July at 4pm on our NICA Short Courses FB group for the first Facebook Live. Link in our bio.

18.01.2022 Yesterday Emily Loe, final year student, and Mike Finch, co-director of Cirkus 2021: Plan 47(b)?, spoke with Richard Watts on SmartArts with Triple R FM. Emily and Mike spoke about the ever-changing plans of Cirkus 2021: Plan 47(b)? and how they adapted to rehearsing and creating the show throughout Melbourne's numerous lockdowns. Our final year students are finally getting to perform Cirkus 2021: Plan 47(b)? tomorrow with two closed shows to NICA Staff and Students.... We are so proud of our students dedication and resilience throughout this process and we cannot wait to see them bring this show to life. Listen to the full interview here: https://www.rrr.org.au//broadcast-ep/16498/3695000/4763000

17.01.2022 We love digging through our past show archives and revisiting the amazing productions from the past. This image is from Please Hold in 2017. // Image by Aaron Walker

16.01.2022 On a mission to stay creative during lockdown, Lesh Kelso has created a new YouTube series combining her love of circus and filming. Lesh graduated from a Bachelor of Circus Arts at NICA in 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lHMiCO2H3M

15.01.2022 2019 was a tremendous year for NICA. Take a look back at all of the highlights and successes in our Annual Report. A huge thanks to all of the students, staff, partners and supporters who made it all happen. Read our 2019 Annual Report here: http://ow.ly/WxIB50Aljam

14.01.2022 Huge congratulations to the recipients of Flying Fruit Fly Circus MAKE OUR WAY OUT funding. Looking forward to seeing these new works some time soon!

14.01.2022 Congrats to our 2017 alumni Maya Tregonning for receiving a Carclew Project & Development Grant Maya will use the grant to develop her new circus show Texture of a Soul for a public performance at GWB Studios in Adelaide at the end of July. Chookas Maya!... https://www.heraldsun.com.au//86c6d8ded59f962be52d4b112b3a

14.01.2022 Pescado made a splash in 2015, it was hard to keep a shirt on. Second year ensemble featuring: Lachlan Suckroo, Hugo Bladel, Isaac Salter and Jordan O'Brien. Image by @aawalkerphoto #NicaShow #IsolationCircus #AustralianCircus #NicaAlumni

14.01.2022 Our Head of Performance Studies, Zebastian Hunter, spoke to the New Daily about the huge challenges facing the circus industry at the moment. Solidarity and strength to our circus colleagues during the challenging months to come.

13.01.2022 Throwback to Born In Sawdust - our 2015 graduating ensemble. Image by @aawalkerphoto #NicaShow #IsolationCircus #AustralianCircus #NicaAlumni

13.01.2022 Bring a bit of NICA cheer into your home with you with our new t shirts! The range of fun colours are sure to make you feel bright and happy. They are $25 each including postage! https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=624195

13.01.2022 Only one week left until your auditions are due. Make sure you check out our Audition Skills Guide for tips on how to do best. Please get in touch if you need help: [email protected] #NICAAuditionJourney https://www.youtube.com/watch

12.01.2022 Meet Our Trainers! Introducing Martine Howard Martine Howard was born in Melbourne and began her career as an aerialist after participating in the National Institute of Circus Arts pilot project in 1999. ... After moving to Montreal, Martine trained swinging trapeze with Andre Simard of Cirque du Soleil before training swinging trapeze and cloudswing extensively with world-renowned aerial trainer Victor Fomine. Martine has performed on various aerial apparatus with Cirque du Soleil before performing with cabarets across Europe. Other performance highlights include festivals, corporate work and performing in a big budget Hollywood film. Martine is currently based in Melbourne and works at the National Institute of Circus Arts as the third-year coordinator and aerial trainer.

12.01.2022 This lucky little birdy is not missing out on its trapeze classes. We wish we could join in too! Thank you to our lovely short courses student, Fi for sharing this with us

12.01.2022 Founded in 2012 by 3 NICA alumni, Dummies Corp. are still in action and keeping it safe. Make sure you support our local circus artists and give them a follow. https://www.facebook.com/dummiescorp/videos/988570081596827

12.01.2022 NICA's Pre-Audition Workshop is back! NICA's Pre-Audition Workshop is your first step towards a successful audition for Australia's only Certificate IV or Bachelor Degree in Circus Arts. This Workshop is great for prospective 2022/23 students to get feedback on their progress at an early stage. This event is not just for those with circus experience: NICA is also seeking people with backgrounds in gymnastics, dance, calisthenics, theatre, physical theatre, fire twirling, mart...ial arts, tricking, parkour and more. Are you ready to get tertiary qualified with the National Institute of Circus Arts and set yourself up for a career touring the world? Book now to join us on Saturday 10 July. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?embed&eid=771310

12.01.2022 Meet our third year students! Introducing Isabelle Champagne-Chittick Isabelle grew up in Bega, NSW where she trained in dance and gymnastics from a young age. Performing as part of Fling Physical Theatre for 8 years, she then took on work experience at Brisbane-based CIRCA, while in high school.... Moving to Melbourne to further her training as part of a Bachelor of Circus Arts at NICA, Isabelle has become an emerging artist within Melbourne’s circus industry. As part of Na Djinang Circus, Isabelle performed in Social Staples in Melbourne Fringe, Catapult Circus Festival, and Adelaide Fringe. She then went on to be a co-creative in Na Djinangs second work Common Dissonance. Sean Paris

11.01.2022 Our dedicated NICA Online Short Courses YouTube channel is now up and running. Revisit your favourite workout classes or join in the ones you havent done yet! Your home fitness routine just got a whole lot funner! https://bit.ly/36nU1g4

10.01.2022 There is still time to make a donation to support NICA within this financial year. You can make a fully tax deductible donation in our online giving portal and see where your gift will go.

10.01.2022 Our Head of Performance Studies, Zebastian Hunter is on Radio National this morning at 8.55am talking about the challenges the circus world is facing with COVID-19. You can listen live here.

10.01.2022 Meet Our Trainers! Rong Lu Rong Lu is a NICA trainer with over 30 years experience in the circus industry. He began his circus training at the Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe in 1984 before joining the troupe as a performer in 1992. He was renowned as an award-winning circus performer in China. With career highlights including high profile tours to the US and Japan and a slew of awards including a gold medal at the China International Circus Festival in 1996 for spinning plate, and... silver medals for his shoulder pole performance at Eastern China District Circus Festival in 1993 and at the China International Circus Festival in 1996. Lu has been a trainer at NICA since 2002, where he has been able to bring his rich experience, world-class skills and artistry to shape the curriculum. He teaches acrobatic basics and specialties such as acrobatics shoulder pole, Chinese pole, Russian swing, adagio, juggling and hoop diving. Lu greatly enjoys contributing to the development of circus education and the circus performers of tomorrow.

09.01.2022 Join us tomorrow! Whether you're new to circus or interested in testing out a different specialty: get active, get creative, and try something unique at NICA’s Come and Try Circus Day. A one-hour session is only $20 and participants will receive a discount on enrolments if they want to continue regular training. Most sessions are selling out fast. Book now: https://mailchi.mp/nica.com.au/come-and-try-circus-at-nica

09.01.2022 We're stoked that Melbourne has had zero new cases Today! Can't wait to see you soon Featured Alumni: Graduating Ensemble 2019 - Sick Photography: Kieran McNamara... #NICAShow #IsolationCircus #AustralianCircus #NICAAlumni

09.01.2022 Try something new in 2021! Whether you're new to circus or interested in testing out a new specialty, get active, get creative and try something new at NICA’s Come and Try Circus. A one-hour session is only $20 and participants will receive a discount on enrolments if they want to continue regular training. Most sessions are selling out fast. Book online here: https://mailchi.mp/nica.com.au/come-and-try-circus-at-nica

09.01.2022 Meet our third year students! Introducing Violetta Van Geyzel Vi is a playful and adventure loving circus artist drawn to quirky and inquisitive work. Growing up in Queensland, Vi competed in Artistic Gymnastics but as she found her love for competing begin to fade, she moved to Melbourne to pursue performing arts. ... Now in her final year of NICA's Bachelor of Circus Arts, Vi specialises in Rope and Partner Acro. Sean Paris

09.01.2022 A new week of aerial conditioning is up on our YouTube! Upcoming online classes this week: Tuesday 7 July 5:45pm: High Intensity Conditioning Friday 10 July 5:45pm: Shoulder Strengthening and Stabilising ... Join our free online classes here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1140709876268853 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Lwi3tyipE

08.01.2022 Do you need some motivation to get moving? Then get on board and get inspired by NICA third year Reuben James! https://www.youtube.com/watch

07.01.2022 Following recent updates about Melbourne’s lockdown, although the magnificent final-year cast and hard-working crew of Cirkus 2021: Plan 47(b)? remain in online rehearsals, we have decided to cancel our public performance season this month. Refunds have been issued to ticket-holders for all cancelled sessions. We are very proud of this new ensemble circus work that is still being created by our students, co-directors Mike Finch and Stephen Burton, Screen and Media (Animation)... students at Swinburne University of Technology and a talented team of creatives, riggers and production staff. We will continue to explore ways to share elements of the work with audiences. The cast, crew & staff remain busy in online planning and rehearsals, exploring new ways to bring this work to life as soon as they are allowed back on the stage, with the safety of our community in mind. Stay tuned!

07.01.2022 3 Part Pole Fitness with Max: "In this video I'll be covering three of my favourite exercises that I use to stay fit for Chinese Pole while I'm stuck at home." Maxx Parsons is another one of our amazing NICA third years. Can't wait for Showcase 2021! Keep up with him on Instagram: @maxxparsnip... https://www.youtube.com/watch

07.01.2022 Meet our third year students! Introducing Harley Mann Harley Mann, a Wakka Wakka man from Queensland, grew up in Sydney NSW on Gadigal country. Drawing on his own Aboriginal heritage as inspiration Harley founded Na Djinang Circus in 2017 and since then has worked with a number of established and emerging creatives. Harley has worked with some of Australia’s leading contemporary circus companies including, Circa, Circus Oz and Casus.... Under Harley’s guidance, Na Djinangs highly successful work Common Dissonance was nominated for a greenroom award for best circus. In 2021 Na Djinang premiered a sold-out season of Arterial as a part of the Yirramboi Festival. Harley was also honoured with the 2018 Melbourne Fringe Award for Best Emerging Circus Artist. He was chosen as the youth representative for the 2018 circus talk as a part of the Sydney Festival and is a current member of the CaPT Advisory Group for circus. In his final year at NICA, Harley is ensuring that he upskills while he tours, creates, and develops what he hopes is a significant contribution to Australia’s circus industry. Tiffany Garvie

06.01.2022 We are inviting everyone in the entertainment industry to fill out a survey about how Covid-19 has affected their way of life. The survey is conducted by Everymind and the findings will help develop new programs tailored to the mental health needs of those working in the entertainment industry. Don't miss out on having your say - take the survey today https://bit.ly/3rNX7UK ... Featured Alumni: Kirra Roberts

06.01.2022 We are so excited to see the girls from YUCK Circus feature in the latest issue of Frankie Magazine! This 7-strong group of women feature 3 of NICAs own alumni! Grab yourself a copy of the magazine to read the full interview with thier director Georgia Deguara (2018 graduate). Dont forgot to also support them by following their social media channels. ... https://www.facebook.com/YUCKcircus/posts/918768811868983

05.01.2022 Meet Our Trainers James Brown aka JB // Head of Circus Studies Having trained in dance, theatre, gymnastics and acrobatics, circus seemed like a natural progression for James. In 2001 he moved from Queensland to Melbourne to study at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) as part of the first student intake. In the intensive Bachelor of Circus Arts he specialised in Hand Balancing, Duo/Group Acrobatics and Russian Bar.... James spent the next 8 years touring and performing around the world with his own circus company ThisSideUp acrobatic (TSU). The group became very popular in Europe with their unique show Controlled Falling Project. The company also toured with the famous Spiegeltent in the Helpmann-awarded show Smoke and Mirrors, with sell-out seasons and standing ovations around Australia, New Zealand and UK. James is a Helpmann award-winning member of the Kings Men, the talented team responsible for the manipulation of the giant puppet in the musical, King Kong. James also secured contracts on and off cruise ships, entertaining audiences on P&O, Holland America and the Queen Marry II. While recovering from shoulder surgery, James became Artistic Director for the North Melbourne street festival. In 2016 James accepted the Head of Circus Studies position at NICA, where he oversees the Bachelor of Circus Arts curriculum, training, and teaching innovations. Most recently James was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to investigate contemporary circus practice in Europe and North America.

04.01.2022 Meet Our Trainers Introducing Julian Wisdom! Julian Wisdom grew up in the UK and began his performing career as a street performer in the early 1980s, working with his brother and a variety of cabaret shows in UK and Europe. In 1984, he joined Gerry Cottles circus and performed as a teeterboard flyer, a clown and fire-eating acrobat. ... Julian has since performed and toured in several tent and theatre shows with Circus Senso and Circus Burlesque. In 1991, he worked with renowned French circus company Archaos, touring throughout Europe and Canada on the flying trapeze. Other notable roles include performing in the Doctor Who series and performing in the Dutch National opera production of La Boheme in the role of Harlequin. He also participated in several music videos (Nena, Culture Club, Specimen) and was the live support act for the band Killing Joke at Hammersmith Palais. Since 2001, Julian has been teaching aerial disciplines at NICA; flying trapeze, static trapeze, swinging trapeze, cradle, doubles trapeze, Spanish web and cloudswing.

04.01.2022 Have you been running to keep up your fitness while in isolation? Were Live now with Tessa doing a class on how to warm up well before running and some strength and stretch exercises to make your running easier and safer. Join us now, or log in later to repeat it before your jog.

04.01.2022 We really hope we get to open up again soon. Hang in there Melbourne. Feeling a little throwback today to: Empty Bodies - Second year ensemble show 2016. Directed by our @zebastianhunter Image by @aawalkerphoto #NicaShow #IsolationCircus #AustralianCircus #NicaAlumni

03.01.2022 Our Come & Try Circus Day is in just over 2 weeks! We have three session times available with classes ranging from Tightwire to Trampoline. For just $20 you'll get a 1 hour and 15 minute session taught by graduates of NICA's Bachelor of Circus Arts. See you there! https://www.facebook.com/events/506700703786035/

03.01.2022 A Typical Isolation Training Day with NICA third year: Violetta Van Geyzel. Check out Vi's creative journey beating the pandemic through parks and playgrounds. https://www.youtube.com/watch

03.01.2022 Meet Our Trainers! This weeks trainer spotlight is on... Earl Shatford!... Earl Shatford is widely renowned as Australias most skilled professional Juggler; he has been delighting audiences around the world for over three decades. His Juggling act has taken him around the world to Tampa Florida, New Orleans, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, New Zealand, Japan and China. Earls circus career began in 1988 as a member of The Flying Fruit Fly Circus in Albury/Wodonga. Career highlights include working for Silvers Grand Magic Circus with the legendary circus ringmaster and Gold Logie-winning star of radio and TV Mr Tommy Hanlon Jnr. He has also been rated the Number 1 entertainer by Carnival Cruises in America and at the 8th Wuhan Circus Festival in China he won The Award of Excellence and voted Most Popular Artist. Earl is currently still performing around Australia in addition to his role teaching juggling at the National Institute of Circus Arts. Photography by Ian Sutherland

03.01.2022 Need something fun and cheeky to brighten up your day? Join NICA alumni Tom and Ian as they journey to find out what exactly IS a clown? In this all inclusive podcast, they will be discussing the ins, outs, middles and weird side bits of clown, comedy and performance. https://cheekyproductions.org/

03.01.2022 Are you a circus artist, gymnast, dancer, martial artist or have another physical skill? Use your skills to launch a creative career that could take you around the world. Study a Bachelor of Circus Arts or Certificate IV in Circus Arts in 2021. Applications close 16 October 2020.... APPLY NOW: https://tinyurl.com/y4ygoca5 This year due to current restrictions all auditions will be held via video audition. Please apply online to receive an invitation to audition and instructions on the video audition process. For more information please contact: [email protected] Aaron Walker Photographer

02.01.2022 NICAs own third-year student, Emily Loe spoke on a panel with other graduating circus students from around the world about the challenges and the realities of graduating during a pandemic. Thanks to CircusTalk for hosting such an interesting and insightful conversation. https://circustalk.com//circus-and-changing-realities-2020

02.01.2022 Come on a journey to Mannie's isolation station! With heaps of tips and tricks to stay fit you'll be left feeling great! Manelaya Kaydos-Nitis is a NICA third year who's been working hard to stay fit this pandemic season. https://youtu.be/Ifuak1DW7gE

02.01.2022 Today is your deadline for entry into our Bachelor of Circus Arts and Certificate IV in Circus Arts in 2021. Please get in touch if you have any last minute questions [email protected] #nicaauditionjourney APPLY HERE: http://nicaapplications.com/