For its 2016 student intake, the National Institute of Circus Arts is casting the net wider than ever before to attract applicants from across Australia and from a wide diversity of backgrounds.


NICA is inviting aspiring circus artists to submit their applications for entry into the 2016 suite of courses, including the Bachelor of Circus Arts course and the Certificates III and IV in Circus Arts. Applications are now open and close on Monday, September 14 2015, with auditions taking place around Australia from September 21 to October 18 2015.


NICA offers Australia’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts, which is a three-year university degree accredited by Swinburne University of Technology and conducted at NICA's purpose built facilities in Prahran, Melbourne.


During June and July NICA held a series of optional Pre-Audition Workshops throughout Australia. NICA’s trainers are looking forward to re-connecting with the Pre-Audition Workshop participants and welcoming fresh faces at the upcoming auditions in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Ulverstone, Cairns, Albury, Darwin and Mullumbimby.


NICA’s Executive Director Rose Stephens says, “The Pre-Audition Workshops really highlighted the great talent that already exists throughout Australia, making us even more excited to take the audition process to a greater number of towns and cities around Australia than ever before. As Australia’s National Circus Institute, we want to attract the very best potential talent from around Australia regardless of background or experience. I encourage anyone considering a career in circus to apply’.


The auditions will test the core requirements for entry into NICA’s accredited courses, including flexibility, handstands, tumbling, strength and conditioning, movement, performance and coordination.


NICA’s Bachelor of Circus Arts provides a great career opportunity for those with some background in physical training such as circus, sport, dance, physical theatre, gymnastics, acrobatics, martial arts, diving or trampoline. A background in circus is not necessary. Those with a flair for the physical and a desire for a challenge should consider applying for this prestigious course.



Those not yet ready for entry into the degree course can opt to audition for a foundation year in the Certificate IV in Circus Arts. Those in Year 11 or Year 12 considering a circus career can undertake a Certificate III in Circus Arts as part of a VCE program.


NICA graduates have established successful careers in Australia and internationally with acclaimed companies including Circus Oz, Circa, NoFit State Circus and Cirque du Soleil to name a few.


Current NICA student Charlie Rust says, "At first the audition seemed very tough, but the process turned out to be more fun than I'd expected any audition to be. The audition is much more than just skills testing. Everyone has strengths in different areas, so while I didn’t have a background in gymnastics, I felt that the NICA staff looked carefully at all the important aspects of becoming a circus artist. Coming to NICA has shaped my future and I’ve learnt so much. I'm excited about where my circus career might take me. My advice to anyone thinking of applying is - Go for it! The training is challenging and rewarding and circus is an incredible industry to be a part of."


Entry into NICA's accredited courses in 2016 is by audition, interview and physiotherapy assessment. Applicants must have completed Year 12 or equivalent to be eligible for the Bachelor of Circus Arts program and are required to apply for an audition via the NICA website at www.nica.com.au or by contacting NICA’s Student Administrator by email info@nica.com.au or on 03 9214 6975.


Auditions are happening in more cities than ever before and attendance in person is preferred. However, applicants who live outside these cities, and are unable to attend, are eligible to apply by DVD/Video.


Applications close on Monday 14 September 2015.


2015 Audition Workshop dates are as follows:

 

STATE	VENUE	LOCATION	DATE
VIC (Melbourne)	National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA)	39-59 Green Street, Prahran, VIC, 3181	Monday 21 September Tuesday 22 September
NSW (Sydney)	Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School	115-119 Great Western Highway Emu Plains NSW 2750	Wednesday 23 September
QLD (Brisbane)	Flipside Circus	117 Mina Parade Alderley QLD 4051	Sunday 27 September
NSW (Mullumbimby)	Spaghetti Circus	Mullumbimby Show Ground, Main Arm Rd, Mullumbimby NSW 2482	Monday 28 September
QLD (Cairns)	Cycas Circus	54 Sturt Street Bungalow QLD 4870	Tuesday 29 September
NT (Darwin)	Corrugated Iron Youth Arts	8/18 Bauhinia Street, Nightcliff NT 0814	Friday 2 October
WA (Fremantle)	WA Circus School	8 Philimore Street Fremantle WA 6160	Saturday 3 October
SA (Adelaide)	Cirkidz	27 Fifth Street Bowden SA 5007	Monday 5 October
TAS (Ulverstone)	Slipstream Circus	Flora Street Ulverstone TAS 7316	Wednesday 7 October
ACT (Canberra)	Warehouse Circus	4/70 Maclaurin Crescent Chifley ACT 2606	Saturday 10 October
NSW (Albury)	Flying Fruit Fly Circus	605 Hovell Street Albury NSW 2640	Sunday 18 October

 

NICA’s Accredited courses;

Bachelor of Circus Arts Degree (3 years full-time, Course Code: BA-CIRCA1, CRICOS Course Code: 078080F) Certificate IV in Circus Arts (1 year full-time, Course Code: 10111NAT).

The Certificate III in Circus Arts offers young people in Year 11 and 12 the opportunity to gain a nationally-recognised qualification in Circus Arts after two years. (Duration: 2 years part-time, Course Code: 10110NAT)

For more information, guidelines and application forms visit: http://www.nica.com.au