Australia’s Centre of Excellence in contemporary circus arts training
NICA ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIAFOR 2016 CIRCUS COURSES
For its 2016 student intake, the National Institute of Circus Arts is casting the net widerthan ever before to attract applicants from across Australia and from a wide diversity ofbackgrounds. NICA is inviting aspiring circus artists to submit their applications for entry into the 2016suite of courses, including the Bachelor of Circus Arts course and the Certificates III andIV in Circus Arts.
Applications are now open and close on Monday, September 14 2015,with auditions taking place around Australia from September 21 to October 18 2015.
NICA offers Australia’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts, which is a three-year universitydegree accredited by Swinburne University of Technology and conducted at NICA’spurpose built facilities in Prahran, Melbourne.During June and July NICA held a series of optional Pre-Audition Workshops throughoutAustralia.
NICA’s trainers are looking forward to re-connecting with the Pre-AuditionWorkshop participants and welcoming fresh faces at the upcoming auditions in Sydney,Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Ulverstone, Cairns, Albury, Darwin andMullumbimby.NICA’s Executive Director Rose Stephens says, “The Pre-Audition Workshops reallyhighlighted the great talent that already exists throughout Australia, making us even moreexcited to take the audition process to a greater number of towns and cities aroundAustralia than ever before. As Australia’s National Circus Institute, we want to attract thevery best potential talent from around Australia regardless of background or experience. Iencourage anyone considering a career in circus to apply’.
The auditions will test the core requirements for entry into NICA’s accredited courses, including flexibility, handstands,tumbling, strength and conditioning, movement, performance and coordination.NICA’s Bachelor of Circus Arts provides a great career opportunity for those with some background in physicaltraining such as circus, sport, dance, physical theatre, gymnastics, acrobatics, martial arts, diving or trampoline.
Abackground in circus is not necessary. Those with a flair for the physical and a desire for a challenge should considerapplying for this prestigious course.Those not yet ready for entry into the degree course can opt to audition for a foundation year in the Certificate IV inCircus Arts. Those in Year 11 or Year 12 considering a circus career can undertake a Certificate III in Circus Arts aspart of a VCE program.
NICA graduates have established successful careers in Australia and internationally with acclaimed companiesincluding Circus Oz, Circa, NoFit State Circus and Cirque du Soleil to name a few.Current NICA student Charlie Rust says, “At first the audition seemed very tough, but the process turned out to bemore fun than I’d expected any audition to be.
The audition is much more than just skills testing. Everyone hasstrengths in different areas, so while I didn’t have a background in gymnastics, I felt that the NICA staff lookedcarefully at all the important aspects of becoming a circus artist. Coming to NICA has shaped my future and I’ve learntso much. I’m excited about where my circus career might take me.
My advice to anyone thinking of applying is – Go forit! The training is challenging and rewarding and circus is an incredible industry to be a part of.”Entry into NICA’s accredited courses in 2016 is by audition, interview and physiotherapy assessment.
Applicants musthave completed Year 12 or equivalent to be eligible for the Bachelor of Circus Arts program and are required to applyfor an audition via the NICA website at www.nica.com.au or by contacting NICA’s Student Administrator by emailinfo@nica.com.au or on 03 9214 6975.Auditions are happening in more cities than ever before and attendance in person is preferred. However, applicantswho live outside these cities, and are unable to attend, are eligible to apply by DVD/Video.
Applications close on Monday 14 September 2015.
2015 Audition Workshop dates are as follows:
VIC(Melbourne)
National Institute of CircusArts (NICA)39-59 Green Street, Prahran, VIC,3181Monday 21 SeptemberTuesday 22 SeptemberNSW(Sydney)
Nepean Creative andPerforming Arts High School115-119 Great Western HighwayEmu Plains NSW 2750Wednesday 23 SeptemberQLD(Brisbane)Flipside Circus 117 Mina ParadeAlderley QLD 4051Sunday 27 SeptemberNSW(Mullumbimby)
Spaghetti Circus Mullumbimby Show Ground, MainArm Rd, Mullumbimby NSW 2482Monday 28 SeptemberQLD(Cairns)
Cycas Circus 54 Sturt StreetBungalow QLD 4870Tuesday 29 SeptemberNT(Darwin)
Corrugated Iron Youth Arts 8/18 Bauhinia Street, Nightcliff NT0814Friday 2 OctoberWA(Fremantle)
WA Circus School 8 Philimore StreetFremantle WA 6160Saturday 3 OctoberSA(Adelaide)
Cirkidz 27 Fifth StreetBowden SA 5007Monday 5 OctoberTAS(Ulverstone)
Slipstream Circus Flora StreetUlverstone TAS 7316Wednesday 7 OctoberACT(Canberra)
Warehouse Circus 4/70 Maclaurin CrescentChifley ACT 2606Saturday 10 OctoberNSW(Albury)
Flying Fruit Fly Circus 605 Hovell StreetAlbury NSW 2640Sunday 18 October
NICA’s Accredited courses;Bachelor of Circus Arts Degree (3 years full-time, Course Code: BA-CIRCA1, CRICOS Course Code: 078080F)Certificate IV in Circus Arts (1 year full-time, Course Code: 10111NAT).
The Certificate III in Circus Arts offers young people in Year 11 and 12 the opportunity to gain a nationally-recognisedqualification in Circus Arts after two years. (Duration: 2 years part-time, Course Code: 10110NAT)
For more information, guidelines and application forms visit: http://www.nica.com.auMedia Enquiries: Mollison CommunicationsZachary Exner, Publicity Coordinator Phone: 03 9694 5221 / 0413 285 661 / Email: zac.e@mollison.comJustine Caldwell, Senior Publicist Phone: 03 9694 5234 / 0414 650 617 / Email: Justine.c@mollison.comNICA’s courses are accredited bySwinburne University of Technology.CRICOS provider code 00111D.NICA’s Certificates III and IVcourses are nationallyrecognised. TrainingOrganisation Identifier(TOID): 3059.
