Have you ever dreamed of running away to join the circus? You may not need to go that far – you can actually live out that dream on Hollywood Boulevard.
Tucked away down a short alley, a warehouse-style studio space welcomes an eclectic mix of circus enthusiasts and emerging performance artists honing a variety of skills. These include learning the proper foothold for climbing aerial silk straps, striving to master the art of the trapeze and handstands, and building core strength with yoga blocks.
Aloysia Gavre and Rex Camphius, the driving forces behind Cirque School, created the studio in 2009 following extensive careers in the performing arts. Gavre, artistic director and the proverbial ringmaster of Cirque School, spent 20 years traveling the world and performing with groups like Cirque du Soleil. Camphius, who serves as executive director, has worked in theater, film television and circus production since 1986.
Attracting everybody to the school
Their philosophy for Cirque School, summarized in an engaging motto – ‘For Anybody with any body’ – resonates throughout their studio. The school attracts everyone from those simply seeking a unique workout to performance artists aspiring to join the ranks of Cirque du Soleil.
“In a lot of ways, circus school is a modern-day social club. It is a place where you make quick friends while doing unique and sometimes scary things,” she said.
Classes are offered at all levels, from beginner to advanced, with coaches to guide students through the essential skills. These instructors, many of whom are part of Gavre’s network, guide the students through two main skill areas. Aerial work is one area that includes apparatuses like the trapeze, silk fabric hoops, and aerial straps. Then, there is floor work, which covers techniques like handstands, acrofit and contortion skills. The classes are for all ages.
“Inclusion is big with the school,” said Gavre, who recalled getting serious about performance art at age 14. She has come a long way from that moment, with other performing highlights such as in the film “Water for Elephants.”
“The idea is sometimes that people will see (what we do at the school) and think I need to go to the gym first, but that isn’t necessary … Each discipline builds on the other. Body types and body experience do matter some, but the student has to have that mental prowess to be inspired.”
