Move, Play, Create : Circus and Physical Theatre as Tools for Youth Work

This training course introduces youth workers, educators and facilitators to circus and theatre as practical tools for youth work and non-formal education. No previous circus or theatre experience is required.

Through hands-on activities, participants will discover the basics of juggling, partner and group acrobatics, clowning and physical theatre, while learning how to adapt these activities into accessible and meaningful workshops for young people.

The course is based on circus pedagogy: an educational approach that uses circus not primarily to train performers, but to support personal and social development. Circus activities create opportunities to cooperate, communicate, build trust, take on challenges, be creative and experience success. Participants will explore how these activities can foster young people's confidence, creativity, cooperation, persistence, coordination and social connection.

A key focus will be accessibility and inclusion, exploring how circus can be adapted to different ages, physical abilities, levels of experience and backgrounds.

Participants will also discover how a group can move from individual games and activities towards creating a short collective performance. They will explore the pedagogical and practical aspects of the creative process, including generating ideas, sharing roles, connecting different disciplines and ensuring that everyone can contribute.

By the end of the training, participants will have a practical repertoire of circus and theatre activities and greater confidence in using them in their youth work.