r/circus • u/Simple-Rabbit-4090 • 3d ago

Apprenticeship

Hey yall, I was curious how hard it might be for me to find a straps artist to take an apprenticeship under? I am not the most ideal candidate, 30 years old, recovered from a shoulder injury this year, but I am able to do meat hooks, muscle ups, roll ups, back lever, and other basic straps skills. I may not make it to circus, but I know I won’t forgive myself if I don’t see how far I can take it. I am looking for something intensive, probably a work exchange. I am a five ball juggler, and can teach classes in exchange for taking straps lessons. As of now I work landscaping in Florida and I know if I don’t find an instructor and a lifestyle that allows me to train regularly I most likely will waste another summer that I could be learning. Just curious what Yall might advise? Thank you so much for your time and help!!!

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u/SooperJasch 3d ago

Hey if you are in Florida that’s half the battle given winter quarters for Ringling and a rich circus history. Check out Sarasota as there should be a vibrant community with lots of connections for you in the schools and workshops. Check out Facebook for aerial clubs and network network network!!!

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u/Simple-Rabbit-4090 3d ago

Thanks for the tip! I live in the panhandle and have been advised to move down to Sarasota before. I work part time at an aerial studio now, but our straps instructor will be leaving in January. I suppose Sarasota would lead to a lot more opportunities, so long as I could find a job and living arrangements that still leave me enough time to train heavily.

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u/SooperJasch 3d ago

That or move to Wisconsin to be in Baraboo (too cold) or go back to school in Illinois and join a circus fraternity at ISU downstate or Triton College. Or Actor’s Gymnasium in Evanston. Sarasota is my vote for you.

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u/truecakesnake 3d ago

Check out Sarasota for a vibrant circus community and plenty of connections.

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u/Dry-Package6681 2d ago

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I haven’t heard of apprenticeships to learn straps or aerial. There are scholarships and grants you could apply for to pay for lessons and you could teach juggling to make money for lessons, and it’s possible some circus studios might allow instructors to take classes for free, and studios that might do work trade for a variety of things like cleaning. Haven’t heard of an aerial apprenticeship though.