NCA Youth Performance Troupe
Train. Create. Perform. Be part of the Troupe.
For young circus artists ready for their next adventure.
The NCA Youth Performance Troupe is a selected training and performance programme for young people who want to take their circus journey further — moving beyond learning individual skills and beginning to discover what it means to create, rehearse and perform as a circus artist.
This is where skills become acts, ideas become performances, and young artists learn how to bring their own personality and creativity into the circus.
More than learning tricks
Troupe training has a different focus from our regular circus classes.
Members continue developing their technical skills through their usual NCA training, while Troupe sessions bring those skills together through:
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Act creation & choreography
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Musicality, timing & expression
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Stage presence & performance quality
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Solo, duo and group work
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Transitions, formations & synchronisation
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Creativity and character
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Rehearsal and show preparation
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Working together as a performance troupe
Members will be encouraged to develop their own ideas, discover their individual performance style and contribute creatively to the work we make together.
Train with purpose. Perform for real.
Performance isn't an optional extra......it's at the heart of the Troupe!
Throughout the year, members will work towards opportunities including NCA showcases, specially created Troupe performances and suitable community or external events.
Not every performer will necessarily appear in every act or at every event. Roles and opportunities will vary depending on the performance, readiness, attendance, equipment and space — but every member will be working towards becoming a confident, creative circus performer.
Who is the Troupe for?
We're not simply looking for the young person who can perform the hardest trick.
We're looking for young circus artists who show enthusiasm, creativity, commitment, teamwork, reliability and a genuine desire to perform and develop.
Some members may already have considerable circus experience. Others may show exciting performance potential that they're ready to explore.
Entry is by invitation or successful application, and we deliberately keep the Troupe small so members receive focused training and meaningful opportunities to contribute.
The Next Step in Your Circus Journey
The Performance Troupe is designed to sit alongside regular circus training, not replace it.
Troupe members continue attending at least one suitable NCA youth class each week, where they can keep building their individual skills and progressing through My Circus Journey.
Troupe gives them somewhere different to take those skills — bringing together technique, creativity and performance.
Learn the skill → develop it → connect it → create with it → perform it.
It’s a pathway for young people who discover that they don’t just love doing circus — they love creating, performing and being part of the magic of circus.
Making Troupe Accessible
We want young performers to be able to access opportunities based on their potential, commitment and readiness, and we know families manage the cost of activities in different ways.
For families offered a Troupe place, flexible payment options are available at no additional cost — choosing to spread the cost never means paying more.
Full programme, uniform and payment information will be provided when a Troupe place is offered.
Autumn Troupe Training
Our founding NCA Youth Performance Troupe launches on Sunday 20 September 2026.
Main training: Sundays | 12:30–2pm
Autumn programme: 20 September–20 December 2026
Additional rehearsals may occasionally be arranged around upcoming performances and opportunities.
We know that regular Sunday training won’t be possible for every suitable young performer. Where appropriate, alternative training arrangements may sometimes be considered on an individual basis.
Interested in Joining?
Could you be part of our founding Troupe?
We’re now welcoming Expressions of Interest from young people who are excited about creating, performing and becoming part of a team of circus artists.
You don’t need to have everything figured out already. We’re interested in potential, attitude, creativity and a desire to grow, alongside the circus skills you’ve already developed.
Places in our founding Troupe are deliberately limited, allowing us to keep the group small, work closely with each performer and create something really special together.
Entry is by invitation or successful application. Where appropriate, we may invite applicants to have a chat with us or attend a trial/assessment before offering a place.
Ready to take your circus journey further?
