Circus Project (2): Dress Rehearsal and Peer Review
A technical and full dress rehearsal of each group's circus act, run by the students themselves with the stage manager and safety lead in charge. It ends with a performance for another group, who give feedback using a rubric.
How to play
- Each group leads a warm-up specific to its act, paying attention to wrists and shoulders if there are inverted elements (5 min).
- Technical rehearsal: run the act stopping at each transition; the safety lead confirms spotters and mats for every block (8 min).
- Full dress rehearsal with music and no stops, timed by the stage manager, who notes any timing issues (7 min).
- Perform for a paired group, who give feedback with a rubric: staging, difficulty, timing, safety and use of space (10 min).
- Feedback between the two groups: two strengths and one suggestion for the final show (5 min).
Rules
- The safety lead can stop the rehearsal at any time, and that decision is respected.
- No element is rehearsed without the spotter named in the running order.
- While a group performs, everyone else stays off stage and quiet.
- Peer feedback is based on the rubric and given respectfully.
Variations
Easier
Do only the technical rehearsal and a partial showing of the two best blocks.
Standard
Technical rehearsal, dress rehearsal and a performance with rubric-based peer review.
Harder
The group films the dress rehearsal, analyzes it and makes two changes before performing for the other group.
Adaptations
- Hearing impairment: the stage manager cues entrances with agreed visual signals instead of the music.
- Injury during the project: moves to directing, stage managing or narrating without losing their role in the group.
- Stage fright: may perform with a prop or clown mask and look at teammates instead of the audience.
Learning goals
- Rehearse and polish a circus act independently.
- Apply safety protocols in a performance setting.
- Assess other people's artistic work critically and respectfully.
Equipment for a class of 25
- speaker: 1
- mats: 10
- juggling balls: 30
- diabolos: 6
- worksheets: 30
- tablets or phones: 3
Teacher tip
Pair up the groups ahead of time and mark the stage area with tape on the floor. Step in only if the safety lead misses a clear risk.
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