Creativity and Variability in Circus Training and Pedagogy ft. Adam Woolley

CircSci

You'll just have to listen to this one for the full description but below are some key take-aways!

Takeaways:

Incorporating variability and creativity in circus training and teaching is essential for skill development AND personal expression.

Pedagogical approaches should be rooted in beliefs about learning and should align with the values of the coach and the student.

Creativity can be fostered in students through intentional scaffolding and opportunities for personal input.

Variability and creativity are distinct concepts, with variability being a necessary prerequisite for creativity.

Balancing risk and creativity is important, and coaches should consider the physical, psychological, and social risks involved of including variability and NOT including variability.

Individual journeys in circus are valuable, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to training and performing.

Adam's resources are here! And the Montreal Straps Lab early bird registration is here!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:16 Influence of Other Disciplines on Circus Training

11:09 Gymnastics' Influence on Circus Handstand Training

14:51 The Origins of Circus Technique

21:04 Challenging Traditional Handstand Coaching

25:16 The Importance of Task Orientation in Teaching Handstands

28:54 The Impact of Performative Risk Assessment on Teaching

33:58 Including Students in Risk Assessment

39:35 Challenging Preconceived Notions in Teaching Circus

45:23 The Blurry Line Between Risk and Safety in Circus

49:44 Letting Go of Strict Teaching Methods and Embracing Self-Expression

50:13 Constructing Skills with Safety and Creativity

51:33 Pedagogical Approaches and Beliefs about Learning

53:29 Incorporating Variability and Creativity in Teaching

55:39 Fostering Creativity in Students

57:10 Scaffolding Creativity in Teaching

59:52 Understanding Variability and Creativity

01:00:30 Different Definitions of Creativity

01:03:14 The Value System and Beliefs about Creativity

01:06:32 Balancing Risk and Creativity

01:09:49 Introducing Variability and Creativity from Day One

01:14:10 Expanding Variability in Straps and Other Apparatus

01:18:55 The Relationship Between Variability and Risk

01:25:46 The Influence of Social Media on Circus Culture

01:29:51 Using Social Media to Promote Counter-Cultural Messages

01:35:46 The Importance of Individual Journeys in Circus

01:43:44 Making Small Changes in Teaching