About Us

Our mission is to expand human potential through the vital forms of circus arts by providing artistic and educational programs that push the limits of physical, emotional, and creative expression.

At The Actors Gymnasium, people Learn to Fly – physically emotionally, and creatively.

Founded in 1995, we have grown to become one of the nation’s premiere circus and performing arts training centers. We are dedicated to bringing a new physicality to the American Theatre, through developing physical performers and encouraging ground-breaking theatrical exploration.

We promote our core values of creativity, community, and courage across three program areas:

1. Classes

We teach circus arts and performance skills both onsite at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, and offsite at over a dozen community locations.

Our Professional Training Program and Summer Circus Intensive and serve artists from across the United States and beyond. Weekly classes for students of all ages and experience levels reach over 1,000 students per year, while our summer and winter camps engage over 200 youth aged 9–14.

2. Shows

We produce original and daring circus-theatre productions, including nine productions a year at Noyes.

Our shows provide students with invaluable performance opportunities, and the annual premiere of our Winter Circus features professional circus artists alongside our up-and-coming young performers. We also collaborate with theaters ranging from local Chicago storefronts to major regional companies. Previous collaborators have included Lookingglass Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Children's Theatre, and more.

3. Event Entertainment

We showcase professional artists by providing award-winning and awe-inspiring entertainment for corporate and other special events.

We provide entertainment at events ranging from private weddings to major public parades, and everything in between. These events help support our mission by raising the profile of Chicago’s circus community and introducing people to this vital and exciting art form.
“Even as an audience member, the work you do inspires me into metaphorical flight. Every performance or class I’ve witnessed lights me up and jump starts my imagination and drive. Thank you for flying lessons.”

Though we’ve called the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston, IL home for over 20 years, our programming reaches students and audiences across the Chicagoland area and beyond.

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