Meet SANCA’s new Artist-in-Residency Coordinator

Today we announce that the talented circus artist Terry Crane has accepted the role of AIR Coordinator here at SANCA! Terry loves to perform and facilitate the performance of live circus. He currently resides at Equinox Studios, where he is a proud plant parent. Born and raised in the foothills of the cascades, he has been a climber and a ham since his earliest days. He specializes in vertical rope, trapeze, Cyr wheel, partner acrobatics, and slack rope. As founder of two circus companies, Circus Syzygy and Acrobatic Conundrum, he has made it his mission to further expression and ensemble work in contemporary circus in the Pacific Northwest. He brings his acumen as a producer, director, and performer to the role of Artist in Residency Coordinator at SANCA. His favorite color is green. He sometimes glazes over in conversation as he is concocting his next pun. As A.I.R. coordinator, his goal is to bring the circus community a breath of fresh air.

Did you know that Terry also runs Acrobatic Conundrum, Seattle’s premier contemporary circus arts company? Check out the amazing shows he produces and see what’s upcoming here.

Indigenous Peoples Day 2022

For Indigenous Peoples Day 2022, we stand in solidarity with past and present caregivers of this land, water, and air. We share this resource to uplift Indigenous femme voices.

https://amplifier.org/campaigns/thrivingpeoples/

The featured portrait is an original commissioned from Washington, D.C.-based artist and illustrator Tracie Ching (Kanaka Maoli), designed in collaboration with Cindy Chischilly (Diné).

Cirrus Circus – “Whispers”

Soak in the secrets and make out the murmurs of SANCA’s youth performance troupe, Cirrus Circus, in their full-length show “Whispers”. The creators of tomorrow can’t be hushed in this original story created and curated by the students themselves. Rustle in the story, swish with the choreography, and whoosh along the whirlwind theatrical adventure on Saturday April 23rd at 7:00pm and Sunday April 24th at 2:00pm.

Get Tickets

New Year, New You!

Start the year off by developing your skills! Our movement classes are here to help you grow in strength and flexibility. Now is a great time to get moving each week, or to supplement your training.

Flexibility 

Flexibility is a key component of every circus art, so this would be an excellent supplement to your favorite circus class or a great stand alone to ease you back into a fitness routine! This class is designed to improve range of motion through a combination of dynamic and passive stretches and holds.

Tuesdays @ 7:30pm – SIGN UP

_

Strength and Flex

Are you ready to level up your circus conditioning?Join us for an hour of Circus-focused conditioning and flexibility to take your circus skills to the next level! This class makes a great addition to your favorite circus skills class or as a great way to get moving each week.

Saturdays @ 2:00pm – SIGN UP

Registration closes January 15th, so sign up today!

New Class This Session : Contortion Prep!

We are so excited to be offering a new class this session: Contortion Prep!
Saturdays from 4:30pm to 5:25pm
With Coach Lauren

Description:
The art of contortion is taking one’s flexibility and advancing it to an at times extreme level, thus, creating skills, and sequences all based in contorting one’s body.

As a contortionist myself, I have studied with Mongolian instructors, learned the Ukrainian and Russian techniques, as well as the French Canadian technique. Studying at the National Circus School of Montreal, contortion was my secondary discipline, I have now worked for over 10 years at an international level and have gained much experience creating, maintaining and exploring the art of contortion. In this class, we will be drilling what it takes to have deep flexibility, gain strength, balance, active and passive flexibility, learn the breathing techniques when in chest stands, and develop the endurance needed as a contortionist. We will also be training handstand techniques and all that it takes to build a strong and consistent foundation. We will have fun as well acrobatically with dynamic skills as we advance and will always finish the class with conditioning to ensure we are balancing flexibility with force.

We can’t wait for you to join us!

Make sure to grab your spot and sign up today.

New Cancellation Policies

Custom Class Cancellation Policy

Custom classes being cancelled or rescheduled are subject to the following:

  • No penalty or fee if notification of the cancellation is sent at least 24 hours prior to the class
  • If notice of cancellation is sent within 24 hours prior to class, a fee of $40 per hour per coach will be due
  • If no notice is given and the student does not show up for the class, the full cost of the class is still due.

Private Lesson Cancellation Policy

SANCA’s staff are allowed to set their own cancellation policies for private lessons. Please check with your coach to see what their policy is.

Class Cancellation Policy

If for any reason you need to drop your class please notify the office as soon as possible. Refund policy is dependent on when the cancellation is made and by whom:

  • Classes must have a minimum of 3 paying students 48h in advance or the class will be canceled (minimum is 2 for online classes and jams).
  • There are no refunds:
    • If SANCA cancels a class for any reason including low enrollment, students will be issued an in-house credit.
    • If the student cancels with more than 48h notice they will be issued an in-house credit.
    • If the student cancels less than 48h in advance no refund and no in-house credit will be issued.
  • Pro-rations due to inclement weather cannot be refunded but can be used towards your next circus experience.
  • Paid tuition may be transferred to another class any time before the class has started with no penalty.

Party Cancellation Policy

Parties that are cancelled by the client are subject to the following:

  • Within 72 hours of the party there will be no rescheduling, refunds, or credits given
  • Within 2 weeks of the party, no refunds will be given and any rescheduling or credit is subject to a 50% fee.
  • Cancellations or rescheduling requests received more than 2 weeks prior to the party may be rescheduled without additional charges or refunded in full.

Camp Cancellation Policy

  • Within 72 hours of the date camp begins camp tuition is not transferable or refundable.
  • Paid tuition may be transferred from one week to another or canceled and refunded at no additional charge if the request is received at least two weeks before the date camp begins.
  • Transfer requests from one week to another made in the two weeks before camp begins do not have a financial penalty, but transfer requests are subject to availability. If you transfer out of one camp and there are students waiting, your spot will no longer be available should you change your mind.
  • Cancellations made in the two weeks before camp begins are subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the cost of camp, and the balance of the unused tuition will be retained as a credit toward future tuition. Credits are transferable to other students and may be used toward any tuition, including flying trapeze.

Bias Reporting

The School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA) is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all people. SANCA values and caters to a diverse community where all members are able to fully participate in the joy of circus. SANCA’s mission is to improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of children of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities by engaging them in the joyous creativity of acrobatics and circus arts. This mission can only be accomplished if the learning environments in classes are safe and free from violence, harassment and intimidation.

Incidents of bias or hate affecting a person or group negatively impact the quality of experience in circus arts for our community members. SANCA takes such incidents seriously and will respond appropriately to reported or observed incidents of bias or hate. These reports will be viewed and handled by the head of Human Resources (HR) and IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism).

This reporting system allows SANCA to understand and respond to situations that affect students, to educate and inform the community about such events, and to create awareness of intolerance as it relates to bias or hate incidents. This reporting tool is not limited to students and can be used by office staff and coaches. If you have any additional questions about this tool, please contact [email protected]

Click Here for the Bias Reporting Tool

Updated COVID-19 Policy

SANCA has announced a new COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy. It is updated and goes into effect as of October 25, 2021. The Policy is based on updated guidance and requirements from King County Public Health and the State of Washington.

School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts
COVID-19 Health & Safety Policy
This policy has been updated as of January 11, 2022

SUMMARY

SANCA is following the recommendations of public health organizations to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and surrounding community. Below is our updated policy based on the most recent publications from King County Public Health, the State of Washington, and the CDC

MASK POLICY

Following the State of Washington mandate for indoor businesses, all persons who enter SANCA are required to wear masks that cover face and nose.

The only exceptions to this rule are as follows:

  • For staff and students, masks may be temporarily removed when drinking water.
  • For staff, masks may be temporarily removed when eating (students are not permitted to eat inside SANCA’s facility).
  • For staff when inside an enclosed room and isolated, masks may be temporarily removed.

VACCINATION POLICY

  • Following the local mandate order by King County, as of October 25, 2021, students and visitors to SANCA will be asked to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival at SANCA.
  • As an alternative to providing vaccine verification, prior to entry individuals over 12 must provide digital or printed documentation from a testing agent, including a laboratory, health care provider, or pharmacy of:
    • A negative FDA-approved PCR test administered within the previous 72 hours, or
    • A negative FDA-approved rapid test administered by a testing provider on site at the event site.
  • The local mandate by King County does not apply to staff. However, SANCA also requires that its staff provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Exemptions may be permitted for religious and health reasons as appropriate when approved by Human Resources and/or the Executive Director.-Testing does not apply for students under the age of 12.

SOCIAL DISTANCING POLICY

  • We recommend all students remain socially distant when possible within SANCA.
  • Students and guests who are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus do not have to remain socially distant from others while participating in contact activities such as partner acrobatics, partner aerial, and catching in the fly tent.
  • All others – unvaccinated individuals and students under the age of 12 – must remain socially distant from others at all times according to public health guidelines.

EXPOSURE AND REPORTING POLICY

  • Our existing waivers still address COVID-19 so students are advised to read them again to understand exposure reporting and other responsibilities.
  • According to the waiver, everyone who comes to SANCA represents they are in good health and have had no known exposure to COVID-19 and no symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days prior to entering SANCA’s facility, OR
  • If an individual DOES have a known exposure to COVID-19 or has displayed symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days prior to SANCA’s facility the student must get a COVID-19 test and the following must be followed based on the result:
    • If an individual tests positive, they remain in isolation for 5 days from the end of symptoms. They do not need to retest after the stated isolation period, but should continue to mask and social distance when returning to activities (per CDC guidelines).
    • If an individual tests negative, they are welcome to immediately return to activities. However, they should remain isolated if any symptoms are present and only return to activities once they are post-symptomatic.
  • Also according to the waiver, if an individual believes they have had any exposure to COVID-19, they shall immediately cease entering SANCA’s facility and shall alert SANCA’s Front Office if they have been on the premises since their exposure.
  • SANCA is following CDC guidelines for contact tracing and will be following up on any reported cases by email and phone.

VISITATION/VIEWING POLICY

  • Due to the ongoing risks associated with COVID and the overall reduced facility size at SANCA, there will be no parent viewing room. In general, parents, family, and guests of students are asked to wait outside of SANCA’s facilities during their student’s class.
  • Any parent who wishes to observe a class may do so by requesting access. Requests must be made through the SANCA Front Office at least 24 hours in advance of the class. To request access, please call (206) 652-4433 or email [email protected].

CLEANING POLICIES

  • Cleaning supplies are stocked and placed in designated, visible areas around SANCA. Signage accompanying the supplies provides instructions for which cleaning supplies can be used on each type of equipment. Coaches are responsible for monitoring the cleaning of all equipment between classes. All mats and any equipment used during a class must be cleaned before being put away.

TERMINATED POLICIES

  • Temperature and symptom checks: SANCA staff will no longer check the body temperature of individuals entering the building, nor will they ask individuals if they have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. As a reminder: everyone who comes to SANCA represents they are in good health and have had no known exposure to COVID-19 and no symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days prior to entering SANCA’s facility.

MISCELLANEOUS

SANCA also recognizes that the science behind COVID-19 may change rapidly as has been evident over the past 18 months. SANCA reserves the right to alter these policies as needed based on new information, whether regarding COVID-19 or other factors, with or without advance notice.

QUESTIONS

If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact Octavia Graham.

Meet The Sidekick: Mick Holsbeke

Every professor needs a reliable research assistant! Lucky for us Mick Holsbeke has stepped up to assist our dear Dr. Phalenopsis on his latest adventure!

As the Associate Producer of EnJoy Productions, Mick is no stranger to zany exploits. Mick is a world-renown clown with a ravenous appetite for the ridiculous. His unique perspective on clowning, exuberant physical acting, and circus expertise were developed at the prestigious École Nationale de Cirque de Montréal and, later, at the Hangar des Mines (with Michel Dallaire) in France.

Book your ticket NOW

FREE CIRCUS SHOW – Sunday June 20

Enjoy Some Circus in the Wild This Weekend
at Edge Skate Park

TWO SHOWS!!! 3pm & 4pm on Sunday, June 20, 2021.

You may catch a couple of familiar faces at Chrysalis Circus’ Revolve show. Hosted by one of SANCA‘s favorite MCs, Billy Boy, this show is sure to be a fun romp for the whole family.

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no audience seating. However, you’re encourage to come out, support the performers, and enjoy the show while practicing safe social distancing. For those who cannot join in-person, the show will also stream live!


For more Info, check out: https://www.chrysaliscircus.com/skateparkshow

Cast:
Your host, Billy Boy
Saleurn Ramos
John Spinosa
Seatown Riders
And Emma Curtiss