Wise Fool Classes and Workshops

Wise Fool offers classes in circus arts and puppetry to people of all ages in schools, libraries, community centers, and onsite at our studios in Santa Fe and Penasco. Wise Fool focuses not on creating professional artists or circus performers, but on our students' individual personal development. The process of learning circus and puppetry is not only fun, it helps participants to develop self-confidence, learn and practice teamwork and mutual respect, develop trust in themselves and others, and explore their unique self-expression. Non-competitive and highly physical, circus arts also help participants to develop a positive relationship with their bodies through balance, strength-building, and healthy risk-taking. 

Below are class listings for Wise Fool Studio in Santa Fe. For information on classes and camps at the Penasco Theatre, please call (575) 587-2726 or visit the Penasco page.
 

ongoing classes for adults

We welcome people of all shapes, sizes, experience levels and genders to join us for ongoing circus classes! Call (505) 992-2588 for more information.

BEGINNING AND MIXED LEVELS:

Partner Acrobalance, Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00pm
Taught by Amy Christian and Colleen McKeown. Aug 25 - [end date TBA].
Fee $15-20. No previous experience required.
Remember doing airplane as a kid? This all-level class is designed to build balance, strength, flexibility, and physical self-awareness. Use your whole body and someone else's too in a strength-based, contact workout. Class includes warm-up, stretching, skills training, and conditioning in a supportive, non-competitive environment. We will focus on learning and honing acrobalance skills, discovering transitions between skills, and rising to new challenges that build personal and physical confidence. From airplane to standing on shoulders and beyond!

Aerial Fabric, All Levels, Wednesdays, 7:15-8:45pm
Taught by Deirdre Morris. Aug 18 - Sept 22.
Fee: $15 a class if paid in advance, otherwise $20 a class to drop-in. No previous experience required.
This is an ongoing class for all levels interested in aerial fabric. We will explore vocabulary and phrasing as well as training techniques to build strength and endurance.

Private Trapeze Lessons available with Amy Bertucci upon request. Private trapeze lessons (1-2 people) is $50/hour. Special rates available for larger groups.

Handstands and Conditioning, Thursdays, 5:30-7:00pm
Taught by Kate Russell. Aug 12 - Sept 16.
Fee: $15 if you pay for more then one at a time, $18 for drop in, $15 for people who drive from and hour away (ABQ and Northern NM). No previous experience required.
Focusing on Handstands we explore the core, structure and alignment, stretch and strengthening. Some aerial and acrobatic conditioning is also a part of the class.

Tumbling, Mondays, 7:45-9:15pm.
Taught by Abigail Baird. Sept 13 - 27 (will continue depending on interest and attendance).
Fee: $15-20. No previous experience required.
All levels welcome, from beginners to advanced acrobats looking for a place to practice skills - from handstands and cartwheels to back walkovers and handsprings. All acrobats will be encouraged to attempt skills based on their comfort and experience level.

Weekend Clown Workshops with Sarah-Jane Moody, dates TBA.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL:
Artists Playground, Mondays, 5:30-7:30pm
Led by Nikesha Breeze. Aug 23 - [end date TBA].
Fee: $5-10 sliding scale. Drop-ins encouraged.
This is an Open Studio dedicated to free and creative, constructive, supportive training time in various apparatuses and disciplines. Whether you are working on your own act, training and conditioning, or just coming to play and experiment, this is a time to be inspired, to challenge ourselves and to work with our peers.

Advanced Aerial Choreography, Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm
Taught by Deirdre Morris. Aug 17 - Sept 21.
Fee: $15/session if paid in advance. Because this is a cumulative class there is no drop-in unless previously arranged.
We will explore creative ways to make choreography on aerial apparatus culminating in a finished piece or act to be performed at an informal viewing. You must have previous advanced aerial experience. We will be utilizing vocabulary you already know, focusing on transitions, endurance and phrasing.

Rope and Pulley, Thursdays, 7:00-9:00pm
Taught by Kate Russell.
Rope and Pulley class is open only to those with Wise Fool Open Training Agreements.

FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN:

Parent and Tot Circus Fun, Saturdays, 10:00-11:00am
Taught by Abigail Baird. Sept 11 - Oct 2 (will continue depending on interest and attendance).
Fee: $15/session if paid in advance. $18/session for drop-ins.
For children ages 2-5 and their parents/guardians/grandparents etc. Engaging young children to use their bodies in playful exploration of aerials, acrobatics, obstacle course, and balancing.

afterschool fools

Next Session: Fall 2010: September 14 - November 4th
Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5pm - No experience necessary! 
Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5pm - Intermediate session, for youth with previous Wise Fool or circus experience.
Thursdays, 3:30 - 5pm - Advanced session, for youth with previous Wise Fool experience. By invite only.

Youth participants (6 to 14 years old) will learn skills in stiltwalking, aerials, acrobatics, juggling and clowning in a safe, fun, and encouraging environment. For more information or questions about Afterschool in Santa Fe, please call Wise Fool at 505-992-2588 or send a message to mail@wisefoolnm.org. Call 575-587-2726 for more information about Afterschool Fools in Peñasco and Taos.
Registration:
Workshop Fee is $120 per eight week session. Scholarships are available. $60 Deposit is due upon receipt of registration form in order to reserve your spot. Click here to download registration form. See you after school!

BUST! circus intensive for adults

Occurs May to July. Registration opens March 1.
BUST Circus Intensive Workshops provide a safe space for women and female-bodied genderqueers of all shapes, sizes, ages (15-90+), backgrounds, and ability levels to come together and explore their physical and inner strength while building trust and community. This multiple-week intensive has two components: 1) skills camp for beginner and intermediate circus students, and 2) performance camp for individuals with previous circus experience, culminating in a full-scale circus production. An annual program since 2002.

Click on the video below to view a 9-minute documentary about BUST, created by Wise Fool artist Rosie Jablonsky.

annual circus arts summer camp

Occurs in July. Registration opens March 1
Wise Fool is proud to present these two-week summer day camps for youth who want to learn to fly on the trapeze, walk tall on stilts, clown around, and tumble their way into a fun summer! Youth age 7-14 learn amazing circus skills including stiltwalking, trapeze, juggling, aerial fabric, clowning, acrobatics, and puppetry - culminating in spectacular shows! An annual program since 2001.