ARTISTS' PLAY CIRCUS FESTIVAL 2025
BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO SHARE, LEARN AND CREATE!
The Eventualize Circus Arts Festival at Artists’ Play is returning for a second year, and there is something for everyone! Circus Workshops, Performance categories for youth + adults and SO much more!
WORKSHOPS
We have SO many exciting workshop opportunities! Silks, Triple Trapeze, Hula Hoops, Spanish Web and more!
WORKSHOPS
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EACH WORKSHOP!
INSTRUCTOR: Robin Szuch
Becoming a captivating performer involves more than technical mastery and big tricks.
It’s about attitude, grit, and perseverance. And, it’s about who YOU are. In this 75-
minute session, we will explore how you set goals, handle disappointments, face
challenges, and show up in the world. You can get from here to there – let’s discover how!
INSTRUCTOR: Robin Szuch
You’ve put in the hard work, learned the technique, and worked with your teacher to build an act you love. Now it’s time to take that act and transition it from rehearsal mode to stage-ready. This step isn’t just about donning your costume, applying your make-up, and switching locations, it’s about creative choices within the choreography that make the act your own. This is when you get to add your creative flair to the act. In this workshop, you will learn skills to take your act from studio to stage.
What’s in your tool kit? In this 75-minute interactive career-focused discussion, Stacy
will demystify casting processes, differentiate between promotional tools and evaluation
material, and share industry insight. Come prepared for a Q&A session too!
Defining your WHY using core values and personal strengths to create authentic work.
Every artist’s journey toward a successful performance career is unique, as is the work
you create. Bring your authentic self along with an uncut video of your act and be ready
to set course on your artist pathway. In this two-hour workshop, we’ll review and fine-
tune each participant’s act design and choreography.
Plus, you’ll learn what makes a demo video stand out, how social media can serve you, how to prepare for auditions, and more!
FLY, FLIP AND SPIN THROUGH THE AIR!
This workshop will teach the fundamentals of performer flying technique. Learn to flip and spin, through the air as you are lifted and lowered. BONUS: Participants will also learn partner work involving a pulley which will allow the flyer to dance and be spun by their ground partner before taking to the air!
CALL FOR ARTISTS & PERFORMERS
PERFORMERS
Share your piece with our panel of circus & dance professionals to take your act to the next level!
Artists’ can apply to share their work in the following categories:- Professional Artists
- Advanced Students
- Children & Youth Performers will receive feedback from the panel to help them continue to grow and improve their acts!
SUBMIT YOUR ACT:
- Use the STRIPE links below to pay for your spot.
- Fill out the form below to tell us about your act and requirements.
- You will receive a follow up email once the schedule is set to let you know the date and time of your performances.
1. PAY FOR YOUR SPOT
2. TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACT!
3. RECEIVE CONFIRMATION EMAIL
Once we receive your application and payment we will send you a confirmation that you are IN!
OUR PROFESSIONAL PANEL INCLUDES:
STACY CLARK
Casting Director / Career Coach / Artistic Advisor
Stacy is a seasoned professional in the circus and performing arts industry. A former gymnast and professional circus artist, Stacy worked in marketing and communications before leaving it all behind to perform and teach circus worldwide on stage, at festivals, and on screen.
Today she is a freelance casting director, career coach, and artistic advisor.
Stacy is also co-founder of C-Suite Performance, a company whose casting, coaching, and creation work brings urban sports to the stage. From 2021-2024, Stacy led the small and dynamic team at the online platform CircusTalk.
Previously, Stacy was a talent scout, casting manager, and then the Director of Casting at Cirque du Soleil and enjoyed a 13-year tenure at the renowned company.
ROBIN SZUCH
Spectacle Blue Circus Arts Ltd. - Owner & Creative Director
Robin Szuch was a dancer for 20 years, and is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance. She co-founded High Strung aerial dance in 2003 and spent the next ten years performing, coaching, and creating dance, circus, and aerial dance works around the globe.
Robin went on to open Spectacle Blue Circus Arts in Okotoks, AB, a studio where students of all ages and skill levels can train safely, explore their creativity, and build self-confidence and discipline. She then launched the Spectacle Blue Aerial Teacher Training syllabus in response to a gap in formal training methodologies for youth in this exciting genre.
Robin also uses her experience as a performer, teacher, creative director, and business owner to coach studio owners in building successful and sustainable businesses, both creatively and financially. Robin’s work as a creative director and choreography as been seen at the Alberta Ballet, Calgary Opera, and most recently as the director and choreographer for the Alberta Summer Games opening ceremonies.
Robin holds a degree in Fine Arts in Drama and Dance, and certifications in leadership, life coaching, and business mastery.
Jennifer Nichols
Choreographer, director and professional dancer
Jennifer Nichols is the founder of the
renowned ballet fitness program, the Extension Method™and owner of the Extension Room. She is Co-Artistic Director of the dance entertainment firm Hit & Run Dance Productions and danced with Opera Atelier Ballet for ten years. Jennifer is co-owner of the culture and fitness retreat company, Extend Retreats.
For stage, Jennifer holds extensive choreography and performance credits: Dora Award Nominated ‘Pandora’ (FAWN Chamber Creative), ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ (Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Summer Music Festival), ‘Messiah’ (Against the Grain Theatre), ‘Sweat’ (Bicycle Opera), ’L’Histoire du Soldat’(Toronto Summer Music Festival), ‘Lilt’ (Esprit Orchestra), ‘Sewing the Earthworm’ (The Canadian Art Song Project), ‘Synesthesia IV’(FAWN Chamber Creative), ‘The Mystical Soul’ (The Art Gallery of Ontario), ‘La Belle Helene’ (The Glenn Gould School) and ‘Die Fledermaus’ (Opera 5). She was also commissioned as director of Hausmusik’s ‘Traverseé (2017) for Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Jennifer was Assistant Director for the Canadian Opera Company’s production of La Bohème in 2023.
For television and film, Jennifer holds Head Choreographer and Dance/Script consultant credits for the Netflix series Tiny Pretty Things and was also choreographer for Reign (CW), Titans (DC Universe), Frankie Drake (CBC), Matlock (CBS), Law & Order Toronto (Crave), Falling Water (USA Network), Transylvania (CW), Reacher (Amazon), Hudson & Rex (CBC), Davey & Jonesie’s Locker (Amazon) and the feature film Barney’s Version (Serendipity Point Films). Her feature film directorial debut, ‘Sweat’ (Bicycle Opera), premiered at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. It won the 2024 Opera America award for Digital Excellence and Best Narrative Feature at the L.A. Independent Women Film Awards.