Group Circus Act Showcase

To wrap up the unit, groups of five create a two-minute circus act combining at least three skills they have practiced (juggling, diabolo, jump rope, or balances) with an entrance, music, and a final pose. Students work on expression, composition, and teamwork.

How to play

1. Make groups of 5 and explain the requirements: two minutes, three different skills, an entrance and a final pose, and a featured moment for everyone (3 min).
2. Planning: each group picks music, shares out roles, and sketches a simple three-part plan: entrance, middle, and finale (5 min).
3. Free rehearsal with the equipment while the teacher circulates to suggest transitions (12 min).
4. Showtime: groups perform in turns in the center of the space while the audience sits in a semicircle (8 min).
5. Feedback: each group gets two positives and one suggestion from the audience (2 min).

Rules

• Equipment not in use stays in a set area so no one trips.
• Diabolos and jump ropes need 10 feet of clear space around them.
• Drops are part of the circus: pick it up and keep going with a smile.
• The audience watches quietly and applauds every act.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student can juggle seated, act as ringmaster, or run the music.
• Shyness: the student performs only in group moments, with no solo, or acts as equipment assistant.
• Skill level: each member chooses the skill they feel most confident with.

Learning goals

• Compose a circus act combining several skills.
• Perform with confidence for an audience and handle mistakes.
• Cooperate by sharing tasks and roles within the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• handkerchiefs: 25
• juggling balls: 30
• diabolos: 5
• individual jump ropes: 10
• music: 1

Teacher tip

Suggest opening and closing with the whole group together, which always looks best. Have a music playlist ready so no time is lost.

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