NO! Circus arts are for everyone! While being strong or flexible doesn’t hurt, we’d rather you come with an open mind ready to try new things. We offer beginner to advanced classes for ages 4-adult. Go to our programs page to see what classes we are currently offering.

DO wear comfortable form-fitting clothes you can move freely in and tie back long hair. Circus equipment can be rough on bare skin and can cause minor abrasions and burns, so we recommend wearing shirts that cover your armpits and full-length or mid-calf length pants that cover the backs of your knees. DO NOT wear • Clothes that have zippers or metal fasteners. This can damage the equipment and your skin • Baggy clothing that can flip over your head and obstruct vision • Shorts • Crop tops that expose your tummy or back • Any kind of jewelry (stud or smooth hoop earrings ok). Please tape over jewelry that cannot be removed EXAMPLES of what to wear • tank tops or t-shirts ( t-shirt must be able to be tucked in • bodysuits / unitards • leggings/tights • sweat pants or track pants BRING a water bottle and a positive attitude! • Optional/Recommended: a notebook to keep track of the skills and tricks you learn!

If your child is NEW to circus, they should sign up for our Circus Starter class. You can expect your child to pass Circus Starter within 1 or 2 sessions. After your child has completed the Circus Starter course and received approval from their coach they can join our Lion Tamers (ages 6-8) program or Ring Masters (ages 9-11) program . There are 3 levels in each age category ( Lv 1, 2, 3). Students spend a minimum of 1 year of consistent training in each level before moving into the next level ( = 3 sessions. Ideally, a spring/winter/ and fall session). If your child is ready to bump up early parents will receive an email. Please note that if your child takes time off from circus it can affect which level they enter when they return. Still unsure which level is best for your child? Send an email to admin@therisingcircus.com (mailto:admin@therisingcircus.com)outlining your child’s previous experience (how long they've done circus, what apparatus(es), have they had time off from training?, what circus school did they attend and what level were they in while there, etc.) and we’ll recommend a class to you. If you have a short video of them performing a couple skills on an apparatus we would love to see!

If your teen is NEW to circus, they should sign up for our Teen Aerial ABCs class. After your teen has completed Aerial ABCs they can specialize in either hoop & trapeze, silk or hammock with our Novice Level Classes. To move up a level, your teen must receive approval by their coach and meet the prerequisites listed on the programs page under the class description. Families will receive an emailed class level recommendation when their teen is ready to move up a level. On average it takes students 2 years of consistent training to move up a level. Apparatus Levels are: Novice -> Intermediate -> advanced This format allows teens to specialize and learn more progressive/challenging skills. Still unsure which level is best? Talk to your teen's coach or send an email to admin@therisingcircus.com (mailto:admin@therisingcircus.com)outlining your teen's previous experience (how long they've done circus, what apparatus(es), where did they previously train and what level were they in, have they had a break?, etc.) and we’ll recommend a class to you. If you have a short video of them performing a couple skills on an apparatus we would love to see!

“I am brand new to circus, and have never touched an apparatus before.” - Sign up for our Adult Aerial ABCs course. “I have taken circus before” - You may belong in our novice, intermediate, or advanced classes. Adults should check the requirements for the apparatus/class they would like to take on our program pages under each class (basics, novice, intermediate, advanced) description. *Please note it generally takes 2+years of training to move up a level, dependent on your background and how often you train. Aerial Circus requires a high level of strength, flexibility, range of motion, aerial endurance, and aerial awareness. It takes time and work to develop each of these areas. Safety is of the utmost importance at the Rising and we ask that you respect your coach's class level recommendation. Still unsure which level is the best fit for you? Send us an email at admin@therising.com (mailto:admin@therising.com)and we’ll help you find the right class and level. Please outline your experience, where/when you last trained, how long you have been doing circus, and any other info you think is relevant. If you have a video (1-2min) of you doing a short sequence we’d love to see it!

We understand you may need to miss class from time to time. No sweat! We have try to have options for you to make up a class when our schedule allows ADULTS and TEENS: You can reserve a spot in open training drop-in to make up for your missed class and will not be charged. Please note that “make ups” must be made in the same session as the missed class. You cannot carry make ups into the next session. Make up classes are NOT guaranteed. They are dependant on space available. Please visit our open training drop-in page for more information and to reserve your make up class. KIDS: Your child can attend Kids Circus Happy Hour Drop-In to make-up their missed class and will not be charged. Make ups must be done in same session as the missed class. You cannot carry froward make up classes into the next session. Make up classes are NOT guaranteed. They are dependent on space available. Some sessions we are not able to offer Circus Happy Hour if our schedule is full. Please visit our Kids Classes page to see the schedule for Circus Happy Hour and to reserve your spot.

Short answer: No. We know you’re probably curious about what your child does when you drop them off at circus, but you’ll have to wait and see. All classes are a closed class setting for safety, to limit extra noise or distraction and to respect the students’ learning environment. Classes use the whole studio space and we do not have a designated viewing area. We do have a small lobby parents can wait in during class. However, you will not be able to watch from this area. The last class of every session is reserved for parent/family viewing. This is a great time to bring your cameras and admire your circus star's hard work while they show off what they’ve learned! Parents will receive an email with details closer to the last date.

It depends. SESSION CLASSES / CAMPS ​​ • REFUNDS- Withdrawal with 7+ days notice from class start date, a full refund will be given​ • REFUNDS- Withdrawal with 6 -1 days notice from class start date and a full refund will be given minus a $30 fee • Once classes begin no class refunds for any reason, excluding illness or injury with a doctors note • CLASS CREDIT ( minus a $20 fee) may be given on a case by case basis if a student withdraws BEFORE 50% of the classes have been held that session. Student must email the office BEFORE the first half of the session passes to make a request. Otherwise, no class credit for missed classes. • email admin@therisingcircus.com to notify us of your withdrawal or request for class credit PRIVATE LESSON / DROP IN CLASS / SOME SPECIAL EVENTS • 24 hours notice must be received via email to receive a credit or refund • include name and request to withdraw from_____ • email the office at admin@therisingcircus.com • you cannot withdraw or cancel your reservation online