Fall Adult Classes
September 4 – December 22
Beginner adult classes are $375 and advanced classes are $450 for the full 16 week term. Payment plans and financial aid are available.
Aerial Arts
Tuesdays 7:30 – 8:30 PM (Beginner)
Fridays 1 – 2 PM (Beginner)
Saturdays 10AM – 12 PM (Beginner/All levels)
Aerial Arts are perfect for seasoned professional dancers, actors and performance artists to gain new skills for their resume! However, don't let that statement shy you away if you're new to the circus and performing arts world. We welcome new students every day – even if you're not looking to perform!
Our Aerial classes are designed to teach basic and advanced techniques, choreography and strength building. Plus, you Learn To Fly!
Aerial Composition & Choreography
Use skills learned in previous aerial classes to develop more cohesive sequencing and complex choreography. This class will perform at our Circus in Progress showcase. Teacher permission required.
Broadsword
Learn to fight in the style seen in the Game of Thrones and Outlander TV series. Particular attention is paid to proper partnering and acting the fight. This class will cover the basics of Broadsword stage combat including attacks, defenses, close quarters techniques, and footwork. Participants will have the opportunity to take the Society of American Fight Directors skills proficiency test.
Chinese Pole
Chinese Pole, an art form used in circus acts is a static pole on which artists perform various tricks. Performers climb, slide and hold poses with the "the flag" being the most famous trick. Students will increase core and upper body strength needed to perform at their best.
If you already have an exercise regimen and are interested in increasing your core and upper body strength – ditch the gym! This class can replace your upper body day. Even bodybuilders, CrossFit athletes, and regular gym enthusiasts test out Chinese Pole tricks.
Circus Arts
Wednesdays 6:30 – 7:45 PM (Beginner)
In this foundations class, students gain an introduction to Circus Arts, developing a basic skill set. All experience levels welcome. Apparatuses and skills taught include tumbling, aerial silks, lyra, trapeze, spanish web, globe, juggling, stilt walking, and tight wire.
Circus Fitness
Shape up your summer with a unique adult fitness experience that combines familiar exercise techniques with the circus! Using handstand conditioning and aerial skills as an inspiration, students develop a deeper awareness of their body as a source of stability, strength, and functionality. Become aware of muscles that you didn't know existed!
Clown
Begin this extraordinary feat with Molly Brennan, “Chicago’s Queen of Mischief and Make Believe” – American Theatre. In this introductory class to Clown, you’ll learn techniques that will encourage you to be more playful, rather than cautious on stage. Through improvisation, discovering games, object partnering, and character develop-analysis you’ll create a final expressive performance.
Flexibility & Contortion
Contortion: Thursdays 6 – 7:30 PM (Advanced)
Not as flexible as you want to be? Increase flexibility, strength, and healthy circulation while you prevent injuries! The advanced contortion class is an additional 30 minutes at the end of Flexibility.
Gymnastics
Mondays 8:30 – 10 PM (Advanced)
Learn to tumble or just practice your skills in a multi-level class where everyone, beginning student to advanced, is welcome. The advanced section is an additional 30 minutes at the end of class.
Inversion Immersion
Start from scratch and learn the fundamentals of flight in inversions training. Gain access to your strength and confidence to de-mystify headstands, forearm stands & handstands.
Lyra
This single apparatus class is perfect for dancers and aerialists who are wanting to add a set of skills or continue learning. In this advanced single apparatus class, you’ll focus on increased dynamic movements, (e.g., rolls, drops, spinning and poses) transition, and choreography.
Northwestern S.o.S.
In this circus class, students gain an introduction to the Circus Arts, developing a basic skill set while increasing their strength and flexibility. Tumbling, aerial silks, lyra, trapeze, Spanish web, globe, juggling, stilt-walking, and tight wire are among the skills offered.
Partnering
Throw, climb, balance, and fly! Blend techniques from partner acrobatics, contact improv, aikido, and ballroom dance to improve and expand on your partnering skills. Increase your understanding if your own body and how to work with others in this all level class.
Silks
This class is for students who have taken at least two aerial arts classes. Students will master wraps, drops, sequencing, and choreography and develop skills to perform more advanced aerial routines and techniques.
Trapeze
This trapeze class is perfect for intermediate/advanced gymnasts, acrobats, and aerialists. You’ll continue to master two types of Trapeze – static and swinging. Taught by Cirque Du Soleil’s and Circus Flora’s Amanda Crockett, you’ll continue to strengthen your choreography skills, sequencing and timing.
“I attempted the foot web after refusing it for two years of beginner’s classes due to fear. I finally ‘did’ it and I was glad I overcame that fear. It was an important milestone for me as a 52 year old with no background in the gymnastic sports.”
– Joel L.
Registration
Students have a choice of paying for our regular, weekly classes in full at the time of registration and receiving a 5% discount, or purchasing a 4 month payment plan.
To enroll with a payment plan:
- Click here and select the plan that corresponds with your age and class level.
- Once you’ve purchased the plan and completed the checkout process, please click on the
button to choose your class.
FAQs
Yes! Adult students can purchase $30 drop ins online or over the phone.
Families who are considering taking their first class at the Gym can purchase a $30 taster class for their child. Tuition can be pro-rated should you decide to enroll in the remainder of the term. Please note that this option is only available for purchase over the phone: 847-328-2795
In general, students start with and repeat recreational-level classes until they develop a higher level of confidence, strength and proficiency. While a background in dance, gymnastics or other athletic pursuits will be an advantage, circus arts and physical theatre employ our muscle groups in different ways than other activities and it most often takes several sessions for students of all ages to adapt and master skills necessary to move to the advanced level.
Students need to receive instructor permission to take advanced classes and in some cases, advancement is subject to passing a skills test. If you feel ready to advance to an advanced-level class, we encourage you to talk to your instructor, who can assess if you are ready.
We recommend wearing clothing you are comfortable moving in, that is not too loose fitting.
Close-toed gym shoes should be worn to Parkour and all Circus Arts classes to use during stilting and unicycling. All other classes require bare feet.
Absolutely! Please feel free to call us at 847-328-2795 to register, since pro-rated tuition is only available when registering over the phone.
Unfortunately, we are unable to allow make-ups for missed classes, as it makes it challenging for us to ensure a safe ratio of students to instructors in each class.
At the Actors Gymnasium, we operate on a philosophy that using multiple apparatus in conjunction with each other builds the increased strength, confidence, and performance skills critical to help artists achieve a level of competence that allows for the meaningful concentration on a specialized skill or apparatus. Because of that, most of our classes teach multiple apparatus.
Foundational skills remain constant from one apparatus to another. Wraps, climbs, hangs and most baseline tricks can be learned and improved on any apparatus. Until students reach an advanced skill level with sufficient strength and knowledge, the benefits of specializing will be minimal.
If you are ready to start focusing on one particular apparatus, we encourage you to consider taking private lessons with us.
No, the parking lot at the Noyes Cultural Arts center is easy for students to be dropped off and picked up before and after class.
For those who want to stay nearby, there are benches throughout the building where you can wait for your child as well as Tallmadge Park just outside our doors.
No, parents are not allowed to sit in on their child’s class, unless the class is a parent-participation class.
Parents, friends and guests are invited to attend class on parent observation days only, which takes place on the last class in each session. An email reminder will be sent.
A full refund, minus the $25 administrative fee, will be issued for students cancelling prior to the start of the first class session. If cancellation is made prior to the start of the third class session a refund, minus the $25 administrative fee and the prorated cost of the first classes, will be issued.
We do not offer any refunds after the the third class session has taken place.
