Circus / circomedia
Calling all budding circus performers
Beginning life in 2013 as a collaborative project between Ausform and Circomedia, VOLT has always been a venture intending to support and promote new and emerging circus talent from Bristol and the South West.
The initiative was relaunched in 2019 with the help of Circus City and Circomedia is now accepting applications for their next event, which will be taking place on March 24, 2022.
VOLT is a development opportunity, and the idea is not to present polished performances, but rather work in its early stages, with clear potential. With that in mind, applications are welcome from artists who are keen to learn and grow their work by showing it to a constructive and supportive audience.
is needed now More than ever
Selected participants will benefit from the opportunity to share and collaborate with like-minded artists in the circus community, connect with local networks, and perform at St Paul’s Church, Portland Square – Circomedia’s flagship building and performance space.
Performances from VOLT will professionally filmed and photographed, and nominal artist fees for incurred expenses.
Volt scratch night – photo: Circomedia
Application criteria – what VOLT is looking for:
- Short pieces (five to 15 minutes) that you’d like to share with an audience in order to test ideas and gather constructive feedback
- Works in progress rather than polished, finished pieces – this is a development opportunity, not a showcase
- Any contemporary circus format
- Artists (aged 16+) at any stage in their performing journey – perhaps you’re just starting out in your performance career, or perhaps you’re an established artist developing something new, or somewhere in between
- Artists based in South West England or South Wales
Additional points to note:
- VOLT is a professional opportunity – current and former Circomedia students are welcome to apply, but we equally want to hear from artists who have not visited or performed at Circomedia before
- Current/former Circomedia students: when applying, please note that we cannot consider material originally devised as a student performance piece unless the idea has been developed or altered
- Performers cannot take part in two consecutive VOLT scratch nights, even as part of a different act
VOLT aerial performer – photo: Circomedia
Applications for VOLT 2022 can be made via the online application form, and close at midnight on Tuesday, November 30, with selections made in December. Note only artists in South West England and South Wales are eligible to apply. VOLT 2022 is at Circomedia, St Paul’s Church, Bristol, BS2 8SJ on March 24, 2022 at 7.30pm.
Main photo: Circomedia
Read more: Learn circus at home with Circomedia
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