Join us for a special retreat that combines act & skill refinement, creativity & stage craft, and professional direction - the ABC’s of act creation. Combining group creative sessions and one-on-one private lessons, we will dive into the act creation and performance process to help you blossom on stage. Before you arrive we’ll meet virtually for pre-work on your 3-5 minute long work-in-progress act. There is a performance on the final evening, and the Retreat culminates with a photo and video shoot.
WHAT DISCIPLINES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE WORKSHOP? |
We are excited to support a variety of circus disciplines.
Aerials: anything that can be done in an 18’ ceiling with single or double points; because of the size of the space coning/circling is limited, but can be accommodated.
Floor skills such as hand balancing, partner acrobatics, juggling, contortion, rola bola and clown are welcome
Apparatus needing floor plates such as tight wire and chinese pole can be rigged in the space, but due to the nature of this workshop are not able to be included.
Nimble Arts has trapezes, fabrics, slings and a 36” single point lyra. It is advised that you bring your own equipment that is familiar to you, but we can help as needed.
WHAT IS INCLUDED |
A pre-workshop zoom session to meet and begin sharing information, so you can arrive ready to jump into the workshop
Group warm ups and creative sessions to expand your aerial expression and connect with your performative self
Individualized one-on-one work on your act
Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Lodging
Swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding on private 75 acre Tinmouth Lake
4th of July Americana experience including fireworks and boat regatta
Performance experience
Free time to explore the Vermont countryside - biking, hiking, horseback riding and more
Pick up / drop off from Rutland, VT for bus, train & plane connections
25% discount on career mentoring (see below for details)
WHAT MENTORING IS AVAILABLE? |
We offer mentoring in person or virtually for career and personal development that includes contacts with the circus industry, promotional mentoring, technical support, and ongoing advice. Participants in the Retreat receive 25% off their first 1 hr mentorship meeting. (Regular cost $75/hr.)
2026/July 1 - 5: Act Boot Camp Performance Retreat
July 1-5 at the LakeSide Studio in Tinmouth, Vermont (USA)
Wed July 1
- 11 am Pick up Rutland, VT airport/train/bus
- 1 pm Arrival
- 1:30 pm Welcome
- 2-3 pm Self warmup
- 3-5 pm Work-in-progress presentations
- 5:30 pm House tour
- 6 p Dinner
- evening Open Training, or free time
- 8 pm Planning meeting
- 10 pm Quiet time
Thurs July 2
- 8 am Breakfast
- 9 am Warm up
- 10 am- 12 pm group creative class
- 12:15 pm Lunch
- 1:30 - 5:30 pm One-on-one private lessons
- 6 pm Dinner
- evening Open training, or free time
- 8 pm planning meeting
- 10 pm Quiet time
Fri July 3
- 8 am Breakfast
- 9 am Warm up
- 10 am- 11:30 am group creative class
- 12 pm Lunch
- 1:30 - 5:30 pm One-on-one private lessons
- 6 pm Dinner
- evening Open training, or free time
Sat July 4
- 8 am Breakfast
- 9 am Warm up
- 10:30 am One-on-one private lessons
- 12:30 pm Lunch (and Tinmouth Pond Boat Regatta!)
- 2 - 5 pm Dress Rehearsal
- 6 pm Dinner
- 9 pm Fireworks over the lake
Sun July 5
- 8 am Breakfast
- 9 am warm up
- 11 am Casual performance for local community
- 12:15 pm
Lunch: wrap up discussion & departures
