School Of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts

SANCA'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITIES BY ENGAGING THEM IN THE JOYOUS CREATIVITY OF ACROBATICS AND CIRCUS ARTS. SANCA OFFERS CLASSES AND PERFORMANCES IN ALL CIRCUS ARTS DISCIPLINES.

CLASSES/CAMPS/SERVICES:2023 BROUGHT A MAJOR CHANGE TO THE ORGANIZATION WITH THE PURCHASE OF EMERALD CITY CIRCUS ARTS LLC, A CIRCUS BUSINESS WITH AN INDOOR FLYING TRAPEZE RIG AND SPACE FOR MORE CLASSES AND RENTALS. THIS PURCHASE IMPACTED ALL AREAS OF THE ORGANIZATION FROM CLASSES TO ADMINISTRATION AND BEYOND. THE PURCHASE WAS DEEMED ESSENTIAL SINCE SANCAS OUTDOOR FLYING TRAPEZE TENT HAD REACHED THE END OF ITS VIABILITY AND WOULD HAVE REQUIRED MAJOR FUNDRAISING TO REPLACE. BY PURCHASING EMERALD CITY CIRCUS ARTS, SANCA GAINED NOT ONLY THE INDOOR FLYING TRAPEZE RIG AND PROGRAM, BUT SPACE TO EXPAND ITS CURRENT PROGRAMMING AS WELL AS ITS OWN VENUE TO HOLD PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS. AT YEAR END 2023, SANCA WAS OPERATING IN TWO LOCATIONS: ITS ORIGINAL SITE IN GEORGETOWN AND THE NEW SITE IN SODO. SANCAS SCHOOL OFFERS PROFESSIONALLY TAUGHT YOUTH AND ADULT CLASSES IN A SAFE, SOCIAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT DELIVERS A UNIQUE PHYSICAL ARTS EDUCATION UNLIKE ANYTHING TAUGHT IN PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR ELSEWHERE. CLASSES ARE GENERALLY SCHEDULED IN EIGHT 6-WEEK SESSIONS PER YEAR, WITH WORKSHOPS AND DROP-INS FOR SOME DISCIPLINES ALONG WITH CUSTOM CLASSES, ON-LINE CLASSES AND PRIVATE LESSONS. CLASS RATIOS ARE GENERALLY 1:6 SO THAT INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION CAN BE PAID TO EACH STUDENT AND HIS/HER PROGRESS. CLASS INSTRUCTORS WORK AS A TEAM ON INDIVIDUAL ADVANCEMENTS AND CREATING STIMULATING PHYSICAL CHALLENGES.A SHOWCASE OF THE SCHOOL IS THE FLYING TRAPEZE PROGRAM, NOW HOUSED AT THE EMERALD CITY TRAPEZE ARTS BUILDING. THIS EXCEPTIONAL CURRICULUM (THE ONLY ONE IN WASHINGTON STATE) FEATURES CHALLENGING YET SAFE FLYING TRAPEZE CLASSES FROM BEGINNER TO PROFESSIONAL LEVEL, INCLUDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO FLY ACROSS TO A CATCHER, AND TO PERFORM IN VARIOUS SHOWS. THE PROGRAM CONTRACTS WITH PROFESSIONAL FT ARTISTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD WITH RESIDENCIES DESIGNED TO ADVANCE THE SKILLS OF ALL WHO PARTICIPATE. SANCAS CIRCUS CAMPS ARE CONDUCTED WITH SIMILAR CURRICULUM AS YOUTH SESSION CLASSES FOR AGES 6 TO 17. STUDENTS EXPERIENCE A STIMULATING VARIETY OF OFFERINGS IN SMALL GROUPS THAT BUILD SOCIAL SKILLS AND MUTUAL COOPERATION. BESIDES TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMPS, SANCA ALSO OFFERS HOLIDAY, AND WINTER/SPRING CAMPS AS WELL AS ONE DAY SCHOOLS OUT CAMPS (FOLLOWING THE SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOL CALENDAR). ALL CAMPS OPERATE AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND RUN WITH SAFETY AND FUN AS A REQUIREMENT. AT THE ORGANIZATIONS NEW SODO LOCATION, SANCA OFFERS PERFORMANCE CENTERED CAMPS IN WHICH CAMPERS CREATE MINI SHOWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. SANCA SERVES LOW-INCOME, AT-RISK AND UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS THROUGH ITS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, GIVING FREE OR REDUCED TUITION AID TO STUDENTS (INCLUDING SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN 2023). POST PANDEMIC RECOVERY, SANCAS OUTREACH PROGRAMS ONCE AGAIN BRINGS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO SANCA FOR PE REQUIREMENTS, TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES OR GENERAL ENRICHMENT. AS WITH REGULAR CLASSES AND CAMPS, ALL LEVELS OF CIRCUS DISCIPLINES ARE TAUGHT.SANCA ALSO OFFERS FACILITY RENTALS TO OTHER NON-PROFIT PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS AND INDEPENDENT CIRCUS ARTISTS AT GREATLY REDUCED RENTAL FEES TO BOTH ENCOURAGE THOSE PURSUING CIRCUS ARTS AS A PROFESSIONAL CAREER AND ACT AS A PARTNER TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING MOISTURE FESTIVAL, SESSIONS IN PLACE, FLYER FITNESS AND OTHERS. BLUE RIBBON CATERING, A MAJOR ASSOCIATE OF SANCA THROUGH THE EMERALD CITY CIRCUS ARTS PURCHASE, BOOKS IN CORPORATE AND PRIVATE EVENTS. BESIDES GENERATING REVENUE FOR THE ORGANIZATION THESE RENTALS HELP FOSTER THE CIRCUS COMMUNITY AT LARGE. AS AN ADJUNCT TO RENTALS, SANCA OFFERS PRIVATE PARTIES FOR A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL BIRTHDAY EXPERIENCE AND FLYING TRAPEZE PARTIES FOR THE BOLD AND DARING.SANCA SEEKS OUT THE BEST OF CIRCUS MERCHANDISE AND OFFERS IT FOR SALE AT JUST ABOVE WHOLESALE PRICES TO ALL STUDENTS AND CIRCUS PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING EVERYTHING FROM TRADITIONAL GEAR SUCH AS JUGGLING BALLS AND CLUBS, RINGS, SPINNING PLATES, AND DIABOLOS TO HULA HOOPS, TRICK ROPE AND UNICYCLES AS WELL AS SPECIALTY SHOES FOR TIGHTWIRE AND CHINESE POLE. BY OFFERING THESE ITEMS DIRECTLY TO ITS PARTICIPANTS, SANCA ENCOURAGES THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF DISCIPLINE REQUIRED TO MASTER MOST CIRCUS SKILLS.DIRECTLY SERVED: 5060 ARTISTS SERVED: 150 INDIRECTLY SERVED: 25,000

PERFORMING ARTISTS AND PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES:A SIGNIFICANT, EXCITING AND MUCH-NEEDED ASSET FROM THE PURCHASE OF EMERALD CITY CIRCUS ARTS LLC IS THE PERFORMANCE QUALITY STAGE, LIGHTING, SOUND SYSTEM AND RIGGING THAT WAS ALREADY INSTALLED IN THE SPACE. CIRCUS IS AT ITS HEART A PERFORMANCE ART, SO HAVING THIS SPACE HAS POSITIVELY IMPACTED THE ORGANIZATION BY MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO PRODUCE SANCAS OWN PERFORMANCES WITHOUT THE NEED TO RENT EXPENSIVE OUTSIDE FACILITIES. SANCA IMMEDIATELY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS ASSET BY PRODUCING SHOWS AND SHOWCASES FEATURING SANCA STAFF AND STUDENTS AS WELL AS CONTRACTING PROFESSIONAL TOURING CIRCUS ARTISTS. PERFORMANCES INCLUDED SEVERAL CABARETS, UP AND COMING NEW ARTISTS IN PROTG, A HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA CARNEVOLAR AND SANCAS YOUTH COMPANY PERFORMANCES (SEE BELOW). FUNDRAISING EVENTS ARE ALSO NOW EASILY PRODUCED IN THE SPACE INCLUDING THE 2023 THE SKYS THE LIMIT, A FUNDRAISING EVENT TO AID IN THE PURCHASE AS WELL AS SANCAS ANNUAL UP WITH A TWIST.ADDITIONALLY, SANCAS PERFORMANCE ARM FEATURES THE BROAD, DIVERSE AND TALENTED STUDENTS AND STAFF FROM THE SCHOOL. THIS ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF THE ORGANIZATION CREATES GOALS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PERFORMERS AS WELL AS OFFERING THE GENERAL PUBLIC THE CHANCE TO SEE LOCAL HIGH QUALITY CIRCUS SHOWS. SANCAS LARGEST COMMUNITY PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR IS SASS THE ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF STAFF AND STUDENT PERFORMANCES FEATURING THE SKILLS AND DISCIPLINES DEVELOPED THROUGH SANCAS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS. A YOUTH PERFORMANCE SHOW IN SPRING FEATURES OUR ELDEST GROUP OF YOUTH PERFORMERS, CIRRUS CIRCUS (SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW). ALL FOUR YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS TROUPES ARE ALSO CONTRACTED FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.SANCA'S YOUTH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM IS AN IMMERSIVE, MULTI-YEAR CURRICULUM THAT GIVES YOUTH A UNIQUE AND PROGRESSIVE TRACK TO DEVELOP PERFORMANCE SKILLS BASED ON TRADITIONAL AND MODERN CIRCUS ARTS AS WELL AS DEVELOP STRONG SOCIAL BONDS WITH PEERS. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE TRAINING IN PERFORMANCE, MOVEMENT, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. TWO OUT OF FOUR YOUTH COMPANIES PRODUCE THEIR OWN SHOW EACH YEAR ALONG WITH CREATING AND PERFORMING ORIGINAL ACTS AT MAJOR FESTIVALS IN SEATTLE INCLUDING GEORGETOWN CARNIVAL, MOISTURE FESTIVAL AND SEATTLE CENTER'S WINTERFEST. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES FOUR TROUPES: STRATUS CIRCUS (AGES 5 TO 7), NIMBUS CIRCUS (AGES 8 TO 11), CIRRUS CIRCUS (AGES 12 TO 18) AND CELESTIAL CIRCUS (11-17, SCHOLARSHIP-BASED, SEE MORE INFORMATION BELOW). MANY STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE PROGRAM HAVE GONE ON TO BE COACHES AT SANCA.SANCA'S ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS SPACE GRANTS TO GENERATE EXCITING NEW WORKS THROUGH MUTUAL EXCHANGE. IN THE PAST YEAR THIS PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED THE WORK OF LOCAL COMPANIES OROKI PRODUCTIONS, AND ACROBATIC CONUNDRUM AS WELL AS A CIRCUS FILM BY LOCAL ARTISTS SHOWCASING THREE CIRCUS DISCIPLINES AND THE STRONG WOMEN PERFORMING THEM. TO DATE THE FILM HAS GARNERED 2.2K PLAYS AND IS AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE.DIRECTLY SERVED: 4000 ARTISTS SERVED: 110 INDIRECTLY SERVED: 8000

SOCIAL CIRCUS:SANCA'S SOCIAL CIRCUS IS A MISSION-DRIVEN PROGRAM THAT USES CIRCUS ARTS AS A MEANS OF POSITIVE INTERVENTION FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES. IT IS FOUNDED ON THE CORE VALUES OF THE SOCIAL CIRCUS MOVEMENT (COMMUNITY, EMPOWERMENT, AND PLAY) AND WORKS TO ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH UNDERSERVED PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO CULTIVATING POWERFUL PERSONAL AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE.ONE OF SANCAS SIGNATURE, LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAMS IS EVERY BODY'S CIRCUS. THIS PROGRAM USES CIRCUS ARTS TO PROVIDE SOCIO-EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL GROWTH. THIS PROGRAM SERVES THOSE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AS WELL AS NEURO-DIVERGENCE. IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC, THE EBC PROGRAM HAS SLOWLY BEEN GAINING GROUND THROUGHOUT 2023. AN EBC SUMMER CAMP, SESSION CLASSES WITH CLOSED COHORTS, PRIVATE LESSONS WITH INDIVIDUALLY TRAINED COACHES AND CLASS AIDES WORKING WITHIN THE RECREATIONAL PROGRAM ARE ALL ASPECTS OF THIS PROGRAM. DIRECTLY SERVED: 30CELESTIAL CIRCUS, MENTIONED ABOVE, IS A PERFORMANCE TROUPE THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 2019 AND SERVES TEENS WITH MARGINALIZED IDENTITIES WITHIN THE SANCA COMMUNITY. CELESTIAL CIRCUS MEETS WEEKLY AND AIMS TO INSTILL RESILIENCY, SELF-ESTEEM, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING INTO ITS PARTICIPANTS. CELESTIAL CIRCUS ALSO SEEKS TO BROADEN THE SCOPE OF SANCAS PROGRAMMING BY OFFERING AN ACCESSIBLE, COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO PERFORMANCE FOR YOUTH WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO ACCESS PERFORMANCE ARTS. COACHES ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO BE SELF-LEADING, EXPRESS THEIR CREATIVITY, AND EXERCISE AUTONOMY TO BUILD PERFORMANCES THAT ARE INSPIRING, MEANINGFUL AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GROUPS IDEAS AND VALUES. SANCAS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REMOVES THE ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PERFORMANCE ARTS FOR THE MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP. CELESTIAL CIRCUSS MOTTO IS CREATING ART THROUGH COMMUNITY. DIRECTLY SERVED: 9EVERY BODY'S CIRCUS CAMP FOR YOUTH WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISABILITIES INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO THE JOYS OF CIRCUS ARTS, WHILE BUILDING STRENGTH, BODY AWARENESS, CONFIDENCE, AND AGENCY. PAST STUDENTS HAVE HAD ADHD, ASD, DOWN SYNDROME, AND OTHER NEURODIVERSE CONDITIONS. DIRECTLY SERVED: 3EVERY BODY'S CIRCUS CAMP FOR YOUTH WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES IS A HALF-DAY ADAPTIVE CAMP WITH SANCA'S EBC COACHES WHO ARE TRAINED IN ADAPTIVE COACHING. THIS CAMP INTRODUCES STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES THAT AFFECT THEIR MOBILITY TO THE JOYS OF CIRCUS ARTS, WHILE BUILDING STRENGTH, BODY AWARENESS, CONFIDENCE AND AGENCY. THIS CAMP IS FOR STUDENTS NEEDING MORE MUSCULAR SUPPORT AND HEAVY SPOTTING THAN SENSORY OR NEURO SUPPORT. PAST STUDENTS HAVE HAD SPINA BIFIDA, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, AND CEREBRAL PALSY. AMPUTEES ARE ALSO WELCOME IN THIS GROUP. DIRECTLY SERVED: 2SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED PARTICIPATION DAY BROUGHT SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES WHO ARE IMPACTED BY DISABILITY TO SANCA TO PARTICIPATE IN CIRCUS ARTS ALONGSIDE YOUTH COMPANY MEMBERS. APPROX NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED: 15NEURO-SUPPORT CIRCUS IS A SLOWER PACED CLASS FOCUSED ON CROSS-BODY STABILIZATION AND STRENGTH. STUDENTS WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE CLASS HAVE HAD PARKINSONS, STROKE, HEMIPARESIS, OR OTHER NEUROLOGICAL AND OR NEURODIVERGENT NEEDS. IN THIS CLASS STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY A RANGE OF CIRCUS ARTS INCLUDING TRAMPOLINE, TIGHTWIRE, UNICYCLE, TUMBLING, AERIAL, AND JUGGLING. SUPPORT FROM COACHES AND FELLOW STUDENTS ENCOURAGES PARTICIPANTS TO REACH BEYOND PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS. DIRECTLY SERVED: 5CIRCUS FOR NONTRADITIONAL ATHLETES: THIS CLASS IS FOR ADULTS WHO HAVE NEVER THOUGHT OF THEMSELVES AS ATHLETIC OR WHO WANT TO DO MORE MOVEMENT BUT FEEL THAT BEGINNER CLASSES WILL BE TOO DIFFICULT. THIS IS A NON-SKILL BASED CLASS, IN THE SENSE THAT STUDENTS MEET COACHES AT WHATEVER LEVEL THE STUDENT IS THAT DAY. INTRO SKILLS ON A VARIETY OF AERIAL AND CIRCUS EQUIPMENT ARE UTILIZED AS WELL AS STRENGTH CONDITIONING, BODY AWARENESS, AND FLEXIBILITY. THE GOALS ARE TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE TO EXPLORE WHAT CIRCUS ARTS CAN OFFER WITH NO PRESSURE TO MEET ANY EXTERNAL EXPECTATIONS. DIRECTLY SERVED: 22THE YOUTH GENDER AFFIRMING CIRCUS PROGRAM: BEGUN IN THE FALL OF 2022, THIS IS AN AFFINITY PROGRAM, MEANING THAT THE COACH AND STUDENTS OF THE CLASS ARE GENDER DIVERSE. THE CLASS OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS TO EXPLORE CIRCUS ARTS WITHIN A SAFE AND ACCEPTING ENVIRONMENT. THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY HAS TWO CLASSES, A YOUTH CLASS AND A DROP IN ADULT CLASS. DIRECTLY SERVED: 20 (10 YOUTH, 10 ADULTS)POSTPARTUM CIRCUS: USING A CIRCUS LENS AND COACHED BY A RETIRED MIDWIFE, THIS CLASS FOCUSES ON WHOLE-BODY STRENGTHENING AND MOBILIZATION SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD. ALL EXERCISES ARE SAFE AND BENEFICIAL FOR COMMON ISSUES SUCH AS DIASTASIS RECTI, PROLAPSE, AND LEAKING. THE AIM IS TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE TO SHARE STRUGGLES AND RECEIVE SUPPORT. BABES-IN-ARMS ARE WELCOME AND THE CLASS IS ALSO FOR BOTH SHORT AND LONG-TERM POSTPARTUM ISSUES. DIRECTLY SERVED: 15