Is becoming a juggler right for me?
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How to become a Juggler
Becoming a juggler typically involves developing your juggling skills through practice and training, and then finding opportunities to perform or showcase your abilities. Here are some general steps to becoming a juggler:
- Start With the Basics: Begin by learning simple juggling patterns using easy-to-handle objects like balls, beanbags, or scarves. Focus on mastering the basic cascade pattern before moving on to more complex tricks.
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is essential to improve coordination, timing, and accuracy. Set aside dedicated time each day to rehearse, gradually increasing the number of objects and difficulty of tricks as your skill improves.
- Learn From Others: Study experienced jugglers through videos, tutorials, or live performances. Attend juggling clubs, workshops, or conventions to gain tips, receive feedback, and learn new techniques.
- Develop a Unique Style: Experiment with different props, routines, and performance styles to create a distinctive act. Consider combining juggling with comedy, music, or storytelling to make your performances more engaging.
- Find Performance Opportunities: Start performing for friends, family, or at small local events. Over time, you can expand to street performances, parties, festivals, or professional shows, gaining experience and building a reputation as a skilled juggler.
Schools and Training Programs
The following are just a few examples of the many schools and training programs available for jugglers. Each program offers a unique approach and curriculum, so it's important to research and choose the program that best fits your goals and interests.
- Circus Center (San Francisco, CA): Offers juggling classes for all skill levels, including ball juggling, club juggling, and diabolo, along with workshops in performance skills, choreography, and creative process.
- New England Center for Circus Arts (Brattleboro, VT): Provides a variety of juggling classes and workshops, including contact juggling, numbers juggling, and juggling for performers, for students of all ages and skill levels.
- School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA) (Seattle, WA): Offers juggling programs for all ages and levels, covering ball juggling, club juggling, and diabolo, as well as performance and creative workshops.
- Philadelphia School of Circus Arts (Philadelphia, PA): Offers juggling programs for beginners and advanced students, including classes in ball juggling, club juggling, and diabolo, plus workshops in performance and creative skills.
- European Juggling Convention (EJC): An annual gathering of jugglers from around the world, featuring workshops, performances, and competitions. The event is held in a different European city each year.
- International Jugglers' Association (IJA): Provides resources for jugglers, including workshops, tutorials, competitions, and hosts an annual festival with performances and skill development opportunities.