Graduate Stories
Emily Sadler – BA (Hons) Graduate 2024
Tell us a little about yourself
My background before my circus training started in dance at the age of three and then also progressed into gymnastics towards the end of primary school. I did all of these activities for fun and didn’t have access to high level training due to living in a small area and being told that I started too late. Throughout secondary school I also gained an interest in theatre and thought about taking my career in that direction, however once I finished college I decided my passion really resided in movement and chose to pursue circus instead.
And what about your time studying at Circomedia?
I discovered Circomedia during my search for circus classes and set my sights on joining their degree course.
When I joined the academy my expectations were exceeded. Circomedia is one of a kind in the best possible way.
The course provided me with endless opportunities to discover the areas of circus and performance I was most passionate about and nurture those throughout my training to make me into a well rounded artist.
Another great aspect of Circomedia is their team of teaching staff. The tutors are all experienced industry professionals and hold so much knowledge whilst also providing a positive and fun teaching environment.
Throughout my training they have encouraged me to go beyond what I thought I was capable of, take care of myself body so I have longevity in my career and grow as a person to become not only a performer who can connect with an audience but also be a happy and healthy human being.
I believe my training at Circomedia offered me more than just physical preparation, the course included tutoring in the soft skills that are vital when working in the circus and performing arts industry such as professionalism, collaboration with other performers and crew members, additional creative skills used behind the scenes and how to promote/market myself to employers.
I was also offered opportunities to perform and work within the industry and gain valuable exposure to industry professionals which gave me a taster of the real working world.
What have you been doing since graduating?
Post graduation I have gone on to perform in a huge variety of sectors within the circus industry.
I have worked for festivals, corporate companies, cabarets, contemporary and traditional circus companies and ensemble shows performed in shopping centres.
Circomedia designs their course in a way that exposes you to all the possibilities available to circus artists in the circus industry.
They have modules created to allow you to learn about these industries and create work that tailors to them in a supportive environment.
The tutors are great at mentoring you through these new experiences and giving valuable feedback throughout the process and at the end of each assessment. I feel like these experiences and lessons have followed me into my professional career and they have set me up to have the skills I need for working in the industry. An exciting job I’m doing at the moment is touring a show that I have designed and created myself as a support act for a band and the skills I gained during my Final Major Project module in my third year at Circomedia gave me all of the confidence and skills required to take on this opportunity.
I would recommend Circomedia to anybody wanting to become a professional circus artist. I don’t think you will find a more supportive, welcoming and well rounded course anywhere else.”
