SANCA | School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts
SANCA is one of the nation’s largest circus schools, both by number of students and square footage. A nonprofit dedicated to enriching the community through access to circus classes and performances, the school was founded in 2004 with a vision to bring the joy and creativity of circus arts to children of all ages.
SANCA’s signature programs include a Youth Scholarship program (granting $2 million since SANCA’s inception), Youth Performance Companies, and the life-changing Every Body’s Circus Program, adapted for students with disabilities. Classes for all levels for both children and adults are ongoing in Aerial Arts, Tumbling, Trampoline, Partner Acro, Juggling, and more! We offer classes for all ages and levels! Start your circus adventure today!
CIRCUS CLASSES & CAMPS
Discover Circus Classes in Seattle
Discover your circus adventure! We offer over 150 different circus classes for youth and adults. Choose from Flying Trapeze, Aerial, Acrobatics, Trampoline, Tumbling, Tight Wire, German Wheel, and more!
Circus Camps: Summer Camps are booking very quickly!
Choose from Introductory Circus Arts Camps, Flying Trapeze Camps, Performance Circus Camps, and Advanced Circus Camps—there’s something for every aspiring circus artist!
Circus Parties & Team Building Activities: Run away with the circus for a day and bounce, tumble, juggle, balance, or even fly! Our parties are great for birthdays, youth organizations, family reunions, graduations, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or just for an excuse to get together with friends!
Protege Show Auditions
Are you ready to step into the spotlight?
Protege is an audition-in performance program for high-level students who aspire to become professionals. Accepted students meet weekly with instructors to develop their individual act, create a cohesive show with their castmates, and take workshops in costuming, makeup, injury prevention, and more. The program culminates in public performances directed by Ivanna Wei.
SUBMIT AUDITION FORM
Deadline: February 21, 2026
IMPORTANT DATES
2/21 – Deadline to submit Audition Form (this form!)
3/3 + 3/8 – In-person auditions for flying trapeze
3/21 – Invitation only audition for all disciplines
3/28 – Program kick-off! Meeting of all students and coaches
3/30 – 5/15 – Classes, Workshops and Rehearsal
5/16 – Technical Rehearsal*
5/19 – Dress Rehearsal
5/21 + 5/22 – Performances
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS – Students should be at an intermediate level or higher, have performed in a student show before, and be a current student or private lesson student of a SANCA coach. Coaches can audition on an apparatus they do not teach on.
Flying trapeze students must have two out of line tricks across (one of which must be returning already), one fly out and one dismount trick.
HOW TO APPLY – All interested students should complete this Audition Form by February 21. The form requires a video submission for all disciplines except for flying trapeze. Flying trapeze students will have an opportunity to show their skills in person on either March 3 or March 8.
AUDITIONS – The invited audition will take place at Emerald City Trapeze Arts on March 21. Aerial and ground applicants should be prepared with an act in-line with the production theme. We are looking for individual acts around 3-5min and group acts up to 8min. Acts should be ~60% complete for this audition. Flying trapeze students will not need to present their tricks but will participate in ensemble and movement portions of the audition.
LEARN MOREFeatured on King 5 | Local Lens
Local Lens Feature | KING 5 “Kelly and Jose learn about circus arts thanks to SANCA in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. The duo got to learn several new skills including the German wheel, acrobatics and aerial work. SANCA stands for the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts. It shows people of all ages the joys of circus arts as one of the nation’s largest circus schools. The school was founded in 2004 with a vision to bring joy and creativity of circus arts to children of all ages. SANCA’s signature programs include a Youth Scholarship program (granting $2 million since SANCA’s inception), Youth Performance Companies, and the life-changing Every Body’s Circus Program, adapted for students with disabilities. Classes for all levels for both children and adults are ongoing in Aerial Arts, Tumbling, Trampoline, Partner Acro, Juggling, and more!”
Upcoming Enrollment Dates 2026
Winter 2 – February 2
Spring 1 – March 16
Spring 2 – April 27
Summer 1 – June 1
Summer 2 – July 6
Fall 1 – August 17
Fall 2 – October 5
Winter 1 – November 30
ʔi, ti dsyaʔyaʔ (Hello friend) – The School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts wants to respectfully acknowledge the original and current caretakers of this land, water, and air: the Coast Salish people and all of their ancestors and descendants.
We recognize the enslaved labor and ongoing exploitations of contracted labor workers that have contributed significantly to the wealth and growth of Seattle and neighboring cities. We acknowledge the migrations such as the Great Migration and immigrant labor such as Braceros have contributed significantly to this area. We recognize that members of our community have benefitted, and continue to benefit, from the use and occupation of this land since Washington’s incorporation as a United States territory in 1853. We also acknowledge the ancient relations of friendship, kinship, and alliance between various local Indigenous Nations.
Lastly, we are conscious that this land is Indigenous and was colonized through the use of interlocking systems of dominance. White supremacy, imperialism, capitalism, and patriarchy are interlocking systems of domination that define our current reality. It is our collective responsibility to honor, protect, and sustain this land. This acknowledgment serves as a way to confront Indigenous erasure and to reflect on our relationship with this land and others. We will continue to work creatively towards enacting practices and policies that register these histories and strengthen non-western forms of knowledge and ways of being.
– t̕igʷicid (thank you)
Additionally, there are resources to help connect with and understand some of the topics mentioned above. Here is the story of the North Wind Weir which is a cultural landmark for the Duwamish people. If you are curious about which Indigenous land you are on, here is an insightful map by Native Land. Some resources like the Treaty of Elliot Bay, The Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest, and Bracero Railroaders by Erasmo Gamboa can provide some local historical understanding.
If you are interested in supporting the Duwamish Tribe, consider donating to Real Rent Duwamish or buying from the Duwamish Longhouse.
