San Francisco Circus Center San Francisco
Run away with us
I stumbled into the Circus Center just to try out a class. Who hasn't dreamed of flying on a trapeze? I didn't realise that I would soon be addicted to being up-side-down and high in the air as often as possible.
The school was founded in 1974 and moved to its current location, the vacant West Gym of Polytechnic High School, in 1993. The past and present staff includes world-renown artists like Master Lu Yi (acrobatics), award-winning Elena Panova (aerial), Steve Smith (clowning) and Serchmaa Byamba (Mongolian contortion).
The school welcomes both hobbyists and professionals. The flying trapeze and trampoline classes are open to all levels. You have to plan ahead though. The classes fill up quickly. Online classes that started during the pandemic are still available. The community is truly global. Believe me when I say that circus training is the hardest thing you'll ever do. And, you'll come back for more!
On a busy day in the main gym, you may glimpse professionals training or rehearsing for a future show. It's inspiring to see what the human body is capable of. Sitting in the bleachers gives the best view of the show. The community welcomes anyone interested in learning new skills and having fun.
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