Educational Year

Contemporary Circus
10-month intensive program for contemporary circus in Berlin
Circus performer doing a handstand on stilts
Focus
Contemporary Circus
Tuition
€4,000
Program Dates
August 24, 2026 to June 28, 2027
Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:30 - 3:00

overview

The circus education year is a ten-month intensive program with a focus on contemporary circus. It offers the opportunity to work intensively on circus-relevant technology and at the same time to develop your own artistic language. Over 160 days of training, participants explore aerial and ground acrobatics, physical conditioning and creative processes.

Our program provides a structured framework for consistently training in a fixed group. It serves as targeted preparation for circus schools, as artistic development or as a focused circus orientation year. Experienced lecturers and professional artists will guide you in your technical and performance development.

Is it a fit?

This program is for people who:
  • who are motivated, reliable and open to new physical experiences.
  • are between 17 and 35 years old.
  • want to prepare intensively for entrance exams at circus schools or state arts schools.
  • want to find out whether the circus is more than just a hobby for them.
  • they already have experience in the circus and want to deepen their technique at SENECA INTENSIV.
  • would like to dedicate themselves fully to their artistic development and networking on the scene for a year.
registering
Aerial acrobat lying on stage with her tire

Program structure

Stage 1

Foundation & Theory

Focus on a strong physical base and theoretical seminars on the history and development of contemporary circus.
Stage 2

Physical Awareness

Increasing training intensity and exploring physical limits. Including an open house show and the start of your own project planning.
Stage 3

Creative Collaboration

Collaborating with professional directors and choreographers to develop repertoire for the stage.
Stage 4

Training & Development

Reach your physical peak. This phase includes dedicated time for personal projects and an artistic group trip to strengthen the community.
Stage 5

Creation Phase

Development of own pieces and rehearsals for the joint full-length final performance: KONDENSAT.
Circus performer in a backbend pose with a ball on her stomach

The most important facts at a glance

Length of program

August 24, 2026 to June 28, 2027

Schedule

Monday - Friday 8:30 - 3:00
(except on public holidays and during Berlin school holidays)

Training focus

The program focuses on circus techniques in the areas of aerial acrobatics, ground work and juggling. Regular training includes:

  • aerial acrobatics (trapezoid, ring, cloth, rope)
  • Floor and dance acrobatics
  • handstand training
  • Strength and fitness training
  • juggling
  • Partner and group acrobatics
  • Dance (contemporary techniques, classical dance, dance acrobatics)
  • Physical Preparation

Workshop formats can be:

  • Cyr Wheel
  • Chinese Pole
  • Flexibility and contortion
  • Face-to-face training
  • Creation seminars

In addition to practical training, theoretical seminars are held, e.g. on:

  • anatomy
  • sustenance
  • Circus story

Performance opportunities

The participants present their work at:

  • A showing in December
  • The final performance in Berlin in summer

Free Training in Production & Management

Participants in our programs can attend seminars and workshops free of charge from Production & Management participate. These provide essential knowledge in areas such as funding, marketing and law to professionally set up your own artistic career.

Training languages

English and German
We support international participants but expect them to actively work on learning German.

Professional preparation

We support participants with:

  • preparing applications for circus schools
  • developing your own artistic projects
  • planning your professional career

Tuition

€4,000
Payment in installments is possible at no additional cost.

Audition 2026

Auditions for the 10-month training programs in dance, circus, physical theatre, dance & singing take place on three dates. Decide on one!

Saturday, May 9


Saturday, June 13th


Saturday, July 11th

Registration is possible up to one week before the respective appointment.

registering

Application process

Are you interested in SENECA INTENSIV?
 We're looking forward to getting to know you.
Step 1

Select the audition format

Decide whether you want to audition on site or via video.
Step 2

Register

Sign up using the registration form at the bottom of this page.
Register
Step 3

Prepare documents

For your application, we need:

  • an artistic curriculum vitae with contact details
  • a letter of motivation
 (In the case of video auditions, the motivation is explained in the video)
  • a video with an insight into your artistic work

Please name all files with your name and program, What you're applying for.

Step 4

Submit your application

Send your documents at least one week before the audition date to:
bewerbung@senecaintensiv.de
Video audition

Application fee

Participation in the application process costs 30€.
 The fee covers the jury's expenses and organizational preparation.
The fee will be charged in case of cancellation or no-show not refundable.
Hula hoop artist on stage
Circus artists handstands on stage at Seneca Intensiv Studio

How does the audition work?

During the audition:
  • We work in small groups
  • train together
  • Take time for discussions and questions

It is important to us to get to know the person behind the artist and to give you a clear impression of the program. You will receive all information about the process in advance by email.

Audition video

We highly recommend attending in person to experience the SENECA INTENSIV community directly on site. However, if you are unable to travel to Berlin, we offer the option of a video audition.

Video guidelines

Parts of the video:

  • a brief introduction and motivation
  • An insight into your artistic work

Your video:

  • Does not have to be recorded in the studio
  • Can be created at home, outside or in a rehearsal room
  • Can be recorded with a smartphone
  • should be a maximum of 10 minutes long

It is particularly important that we can see you well.

The video can be sent:

  • as a streaming link (YouTube/Vimeo)
 or
  • via WeTransfer

You will receive the results of your application within two weeks of the audition deadline.

Ein Mann, der auf einen Computer schaut, auf dessen Bildschirm ein Tänzer zu sehen ist

registry

Please register before you apply.
Button Arrow
Almost done! We're looking forward to seeing you.
Thank you for your interest in SENECA INTENSIV. We are excited to get to know you and your artistic work!
Important next step:

In order for your registration to be valid and for us to be able to firmly reserve your place for the audition, payment of Registration fee of 30€ required. Please transfer the amount promptly to the following bank account:

Account details: Seneca Intensive
IBAN: DE86 4306 0967 1313 4850 00
BIC/SWIFT codes: GENODEM1GLS
GLS Bank

Note: Your registration is only fully completed upon receipt of payment.

You'll already find an email from us in your inbox. There you can find out everything else about the required application documents, the details of the audition day and information about the video audition.

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