Beginner and Advanced Circus is also offered on Saturday mornings.  For more information, please download the info sheet and registration forms.

More information about Custer’s Last Stand Festival can be found online.

CircEsteem’s programs have grown so much this past year that we are in search of high skilled experienced circus instructors for a variety of positions starting in the Fall 2010.  Some positions can be combined for the right instructor.  All instructors will be given free training space to work on their skills and the opportunity to train with CircEsteem’s Artisitc Director, Wolfgang Bientzle on the Gym Wheel.

All interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Maribethjoy@CircEsteem.org

General Circus Instructor-Outreach Programs

CircEsteem is Chicago’s premiere youth circus.  Our mission is to help students from all cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds develop self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts.

CircEsteem is looking for part to full time circus teachers primarily for outreach classes at a variety public and private schools throughout Chicago. There is also potential for performance, choreography and workshop opportunities.

Skills and qualifications: Experience teaching youth of all ages and confidence leading a class. Comfortable spotting, teaching and performing a variety of beginner to advanced circus skills including (but not limited to): juggling, spinning plates, rolling globe, rola bola, tight wire and stilts.  An interest in learning new skills is encouraged.

Job Description:

• Provide excellent beginner to intermediate circus instruction for students at a variety of outreach sites around the Chicagoland area.
• Prepare final performances for the students at each site at the end of each session.
• Lead occasional one-day workshops teaching beginner Circus skills at sites around the city.
• Be responsible, punctual, committed, reliable and conscientious
• Perform with the CircEsteem Adult Ensemble (optional – if interested).

Requirements:

• Strong preference for those over 21.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record (access to a car is helpful, but not necessary).
• Be comfortable driving in the city.
• A willingness to be flexible and comfortable “juggling” multiple assignments at the same time as necessary.
• Must be able to pass a background check.

CircEsteem will pay a competitive hourly wage commensurate with experience and, in addition, can offer a free training space and performance opportunities if desired.

Start Date: TBD – end of August/beginning of September

Part Time Juggling Instructor

CircEsteem is looking for a part-time juggling instructor to work with students of all levels to teach scarf, ball, ring, and club juggling. Instructor must be skilled at creating complex group passing patterns. Preference given to candidates who can also teach manipulation skills including: poi, hats, cigar boxes, contact juggling and shaker cups.  3-5 hours of teaching per week.  Saturday morning availability is a must.

Start Date – TBD – early September, potential for single class workshops during the summer.

Aerials Instructor

CircEsteem is looking for a part-time aerials instructor to work with students of all levels to teach trapeze, lyra, and silks. A minimum of 3-5 hours of teaching per week.  Saturday morning availability is a must.

Start Date – TBD – early September, potential for single class workshops during the summer.

Part Time Acrobatics Coach

CircEsteem is looking for a part time acrobatics coach to work with students of all levels to teach partner acrobatics, hardstands, hand balancing and help students develop flexibility.  A minimum of 3-5 hours of teaching per week.  Saturday morning availability is a must.

Start Date – TBD – early September, potential for single class workshops during the summer.

After-school Tutor

CircEsteem is Chicago’s premiere youth circus.  Our mission is to help students from all cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds develop self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts.   Our HomeWork & CircusWork program meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 – 5:30 PM.  Students participate in an hour of circus instruction followed by an hour of focused homework or studying time.

CircEsteem is looking to hire math and reading tutors for its after-school program.  We are looking for highly motivated individuals who work will with large groups of kids as well as one on one.

Job Description:

• Offer homework help to students who need it.
• Keep the students on task and focused.
• Provide students with activities and academic-based games once they are done their homework
• Keep an open line of communication with the Circus instructors to make sure that any concerns are dealt with both in tutoring and circus time.
• Be responsible, punctual, committed, reliable and conscientious

Requirements:

• Must be available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 – 5:30
• Must be comfortable with academic subjects at a variety of grade levels.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Capacity to engage a large group of students, while also providing individual instruction.

Start Date – TBD – aligned with the beginning of the Chicago Public School year

Chicago Parent Magazine takes a look at what it is like to run away with CircEsteem for the day.

Chicago Sun Times article talks about CircEsteem’s impact on young people.

The Chicago Youth Circus performers demonstrated gym wheel skills for Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid fundraiser at Millennium Park. CircEsteem’s gym wheels took centre stage at Soldier Field for the opening ceremony of the Gay Games. CircEsteem introduced the gym wheel to 100,000 spectators in Willow Creek’s Imagine Christmas, by winning first place in Lake Bluff’s Fourth of July parade.   By hosting the International Wheel Camp at Alternatives, representatives from six countries trained alongside members of CircEsteem.

CircEsteem’s, Cornell Freeney took second place in vault at the 2007 World Championship in Salzburg, Austria.  He was the first African American to compete in the history of the sport. In 2009, CircEsteem made another historic first when Edith Keme, 14, was the first African American female and Sam Sake, 19, was the first representative from an African nation (his home country Ethiopia) to compete in the World Championships held in Baar, Switzerland.

The International Wheel Federation continues to biannually certify CircEsteem’s staff and youth as Gym Wheel Teaching Assistants.  This certification requires 30 hours of hands on training and the successful completion of a final examination. CircEsteem now holds the largest number of certified teaching assistants in the United States.

Shakespeare is going to the circus! On May 21 and 22, CircEsteem and the Chicago Youth Circus will present A Springtide Circus, a theatrical production that combines the Bard and the Big Top! The audience will be wowed by elaborate juggling choreography, hilarious clown performances, daring tightrope and trapeze acts, and spellbinding feats of strength and skill on the gym wheel.

CircEsteem’s mission is to unite youth from diverse backgrounds and help them build self-esteem through circus arts – we promote confidence and cooperation among its students. CircEsteem teaches more than 300 students each year, 70 percent of whom participate through scholarships. Students come from all over Chicago and the suburbs and as far away as Sudan and Ghana. Many children in the program have gone from earning Cs and Ds to earning As and Bs. Graduates have received more than $300,000 in college scholarships.

The Chicago Flyhouse is pleased to contribute to CircEsteem’s valuable efforts by applying the ‘Strings Attached’ grant towards a track and drapery rig to be installed in CircEsteem’s shared Uptown location.

The flexible drapery system will address many of CircEsteem’s needs, including dividing the space to aid organization and safety during class days, as well as serving as a theatrical curtain for in-house performances.

Thank you Chicago FlyHouse for making this project possible.

My husband and I think CircEsteem has been the best thing for our son.  He has the biggest grin on his face on Saturday mornings and just can’t wait to get there!”

Julie H- Parent of Saturday Circus Student