Welcome to the New York Circus Arts Academy. I am excited that you are interested in the contemporary circus arts. Growing up, I crossed paths with the traditional circus, though I had no interest in its three rings, animals, and sideshows. When I first experienced the contemporary circus, I saw the acrobatics, dramatics, and comedic elements from the traditional circus presented in an artistic, theatrical way that was more about human intimacy than grotesque spectacle. I searched high and low for a place to train, but found none in the United States. Since then, it has been my mission to foster the growth of these arts and create a structured learning environment complete with pedagogy, repertory, and documentation of past and present work. From this mission, NYCAA was born, with the goal of providing high quality recreational and professional training for people of all ages, fitness levels, and body types.
What is special about the contemporary circus is that it expresses the range of human emotions and experiences in an accessible and approachable way. The image of performers flying through the air with strength and grace reminds us of our desire to escape the bounds of our human bodies and our dreams of flight. The ensembles excite us with their teamwork and warm our hearts with the idea that dedicated people working together can achieve super-human results. And the witty foolishness of the buffoons lets us laugh at our own folly and ridiculousness. Though the lessons in the classroom are about skill and technique, there is something more that is learned. Through participating in these arts, we not only learn to be circus artists, we learn to be ourselves.
Since January of 2006, NYCAA has expanded from 20 students in 3 courses per week to 150 students in 27 courses per week. The growth has been amazing, however it simply shows that I was not alone in my desire to learn. The interest in contemporary circus in the U.S. is increasing exponentially. It is no longer just a phenomenon; it is becoming a cultural institution. I am proud that NYCAA is at the forefront of this growth.
In the upcoming months and years, through a combination of internal expansion and partnerships, NYCAA will be launching an accredited college level diploma program, a touring circus arts school, year round facilities in new cities, a library collection of contemporary circus material, and a few surprises.
I hope you will join us. NYCAA faculty and staff work very hard to assure that the education you receive is of the highest quality possible. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement, my door is always open. Thank you for your interest in The Next Generation Performing Arts School ™.
Cypher Zero
October, 2007