Circus artist (Circusartiest)
Information on this skill...
A circus artist is an artist who performs in a circus. A circus is a group of artists that travels from place to place in a large tent, with an arena in the middle in which the artists perform. For each circus, different types of performances can be given by different circus artists, such as clowns, jugglers, acrobats, magicians and by animal tamers. Circus artist is therefore a general name for people who work for a circus. As a circus artist you are part of an itinerant company in which several circus artists work, who all perform one or more acts or performances for the circus. The profession of circus artist falls under the performing arts, in which the circus artist can be seen as a performing artist or performer. Circuses that travel from place to place are also called traveling circuses. The purpose of circuses is to entertain spectators by performing various circus acts. The circus has long been popular among people, but traveling circuses are becoming less and less common today because its popularity has declined. There are a lot fewer circuses today than in the past. The profession of circus artist can be regarded as a special profession, because working in a circus must be seen as a special life form. Circus life will have to suit you, because circus artists must be regarded as special artists. It is not the case that the work of a circus artist consists only of the performance. In most cases, circus artists are also responsible for all additional work, such as helping to build and dismantle the circus tent. The name circus artist should also be seen as fairly general, because this name can refer to different types of circus artists.
A circus artist is therefore an artist who works within a circus. Within a circus there are several artists, such as the well-known clowns and acrobats, who are all responsible for specific work. In addition, within a circus you can work with animals, for which special dompteurs are used. The use of wild animals within circuses is no longer allowed in all countries, because countries can have rules for this. It is therefore not the case that a dompteur works in all circuses, because this can differ per circus and country. A circus can also be seen as a traveling theater, in which various circus artists try to entertain people. How exactly circus artists do this can differ per circus and circus artist. In general, it is true that all circus artists can be regarded as entertainers. This is the case because the entertainment value plays an important role when we speak of a circus.
BECOME A CIRCUS ARTIST
Becoming a circus artist is generally only possible by following an appropriate circus training. In addition, a circus artist must have a lot of perseverance, because circus artists train a lot. Becoming a circus artist is therefore not only dependent on following an education. To be able to work in a circus, someone has to love to entertain people. The entertaining should be in the blood. In addition to performing as a circus artist, you are generally responsible for other additional activities. Think, for example, of cleaning the circus tent, feeding the animals and carrying out general maintenance work. This type of work is therefore carried out in addition to performing and practicing. A circus artist will also travel with the circus and must be able to cope with it. Working in a circus can therefore not only be seen as an adventure full of romance. Working in a circus can be regarded as heavy work. Not everyone will be suitable to work in a circus.
ACROBATICS
This is the balancing of one or more people with or without devices such as a bicycle. There are different forms of acrobatics such as aerial acrobatics. Acrobatics often have a lot in common with athletics, gymnastics, dance, acrogym, capoeira and acroyoga. The profession of acrobat will not be suitable for everyone. Acrobats perform many stunts, which in some cases can also be dangerous. Of all circus professions, it is profession acrobat to be regarded as the most dangerous profession.
FIRE BREATHING
Fire breathers are responsible for blowing out a fuel from the mouth. By blowing out a fuel, large flames can occur. Blowing out a flammable liquid is not without danger. This is not only because fire is played with, but also because toxic substances can be absorbed. Fire breathers can also use burning torches to complement the show. Spitting the fire therefore has common ground with juggling. Fire eaters are generally common within circuses. In many cases, fire-eaters perform in the dark, to give the performance an extra dimension.
DIABOLO
A diabolo is an object that allows artists to juggle. These are two sticks connected with a rope, on which one or more objects are balanced. The trick is to throw the objects in the air and catch them. The trick is to keep everything moving all the time without dropping anything. The big difference with just juggling is that a diabolo can be thrown high in the air. Multiple diabolos can also be used, which will significantly increase the difficulty.
JUGGLE
Juggling involves a juggler throwing multiple objects into the air and then catching them. The level of difficulty lies in the amount of articles with which this is done and the type of objects. Some well-known objects with which this can be done are cones, hoops, balls or plates. Learning to juggle is generally not easy and will require a lot of perseverance. Jugglers within a circus can give the most special performances. Juggling within circuses can also relate to other forms of juggling. Consider, for example, balancing different objects without the objects falling.
WHAT DOES A CIRCUS PERFORMER DO:
- Assisting where necessary
- Giving performances
- Helping to build and tear down the circus
- Helping to clean the circus
- Promoting the circus
- Performing general maintenance work
- Taking care of any animals
WHAT DOES A CIRCUS PERFORMER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A CIRCUS ARTIST
If you want to work as a circus artist, it is best to follow the four-year Hbo course Circus and Performance Art or the Hbo course Circus Arts. During the first year of the programme, the programme is still very broad, and after that you make a specific choice within the profession as a future circus artist. During the training to become a circus artist, there is also a lot of attention for music and dance. After the training you can call yourself an independent circus artist. Becoming a circus performer is not only dependent on following the right training courses. A circus artist must also have the right attitude, motivation and perseverance, because otherwise you are not suitable for circus life. Accounting is also important as an independent circus artist.
COMPANIES WHERE A CIRCUS ARTIST CAN BE EMPLOYED
A circus performer can work in different ways. Think, for example, of a permanent employment relationship or working as an entrepreneur. Quite a lot of circus directors work with hired circus artists, who commit themselves to a circus by means of a contract for a certain period of time. It is conceivable that a circus artist also works in other ways. This is the case because most circuses are not active all year round. In that case, a circus artist may also work as a street artist or be hired for other assignments. It is therefore conceivable that a circus artist uses an artist mediation agency.
COMPETENCES CIRCUS ARTIST
The most important competence of a circus artist is motivation because otherwise you are not suitable for circus life. In addition, a circus artist must have a professional attitude. This mainly relates to general safety because the profession of circus performer can be regarded as a potentially dangerous profession. Because most circus artists have to deal with different colleagues, communication can also be regarded as an important competence. Renewal, inspiration and innovation must also be seen as important competences. Generally important words are practice, cooperation, creativity, sense of responsibility, trust, flexibility, energy, courage, insight and stress resistance.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A CIRCUS ARTIST
The labour market perspective of a circus artist cannot be clearly defined. This is the case because the profession of circus artist in paid employment is becoming less and less common. Quite a lot of circus artists work on a temporary basis through contracts. In general, there are still plenty of works to be found as a circus artist. This is especially the case when we speak of the complicated and especially more difficult acts. In addition, a circus artist can work in other ways. The career opportunities of a circus artist are generally limited. The career opportunities can be seen, among other things, in building a good name, which will increase the number of spectators.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY CIRCUS ARTIST
In general, a circus artist will have nothing to do with a possible Cao. This is the case because most circus artists have to be regarded as entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur will have to determine his own terms of employment. The salary of a circus performer is very specific, and not easy to indicate. If you want to earn really well as a circus artist, you have to work for the big circuses, which attract a lot of audiences. The smaller circuses usually pay a lot less than the big ones.
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