How old do you have to be before you can audition?

You need to be entering Year 3 (about 8 years old) and have your parents or guardians permission of course!

What is the oldest you can be to audition?

We are happy to audition potential students up to Year 9 – that can be either 14 or 15 depending on what age you started school. We will consider auditioning older potential students on a case by case basis.

Do I have to have done some circus classes before auditioning?

Participants are not required or expected to have any previous circus experience, but it can help! Our circus features students from lots of different backgrounds including theatre, gymnastics, dance, parkour as well as those that are great at climbing trees. If you have a passion for joining the Flying Fruit Fly Circus then why not audition.

How do I know if my child is ready to audition?

This is something only each family can decide. If your child is within the age group and enthusiastic then we are happy to welcome them to an audition to experience the process, meet us and find out more about the circus.

How do I prepare for audition day?

We encourage each person auditioning to be in good physical condition because we don’t want anyone to injure themselves. You might have a special skill that you would like us to see so make sure you have that up your sleeve. Make sure you have a good night’s sleep beforehand and eat a good breakfast so you have energy for the day.

What tips do you have for my audition?

The best advice we can give you is to be calm and confident. Our trainers are experts at looking for the skills, sparkle and potential needed to be a part of the circus. If you have fun and be yourself, you will perform your best. Talk to us, tell us about yourself, give us a smile and enjoy the experience!

What do I wear or bring to the audition?

We ask that you wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict movement. Please ensure your clothing doesn’t have any zips, buttons or hoods.

Bring your water bottle, any orthotics, strapping tape or medication you might require, and a great attitude!

Where do the auditions happen?

The auditions happen at our Creative Headquarters in Albury. We have all of the equipment needed for the auditions and you and your family will get a chance to see everything we have on offer.

What happens during the audition?

When you arrive the trainers will introduce themselves and run through how the auditions will happen.

Trainers will be conducting generalist workshops looking for suitable students who show the potential for a future at the circus. Attributes assessed include attitude, creativity, agility, balance, dynamics, fearlessness, flexibility, fitness and strength.

Who runs the audition?

The auditions are run by our Circus Program team, led by our Artistic Director Anni Davey and our Heads of Training Bec Neill and Ben Lewis.

How long does the audition take?

The audition runs over two days. In the mornings we will have skills assessment sessions with the training team, and across the afternoons each applicant and their family will be scheduled an interview.

The interviews help us find out a bit more about you and to give you a chance to ask any questions. All potential students are invited to participate in both days of workshops.

What happens if I injure myself at the audition?

All of our trainers hold current First Aid certificates. For most injuries, First Aid may be undertaken on site. For all head and neck injuries our policy is to call an ambulance which may be charged back to you. We strongly suggest all participants ensure they have ambulance cover before their audition.

Please note there is no insurance coverage for auditionees or program participants other than public liability insurance.

What should I include in my video audition?
If you are unable to attend the audition in-person, we ask that you upload your video audition along with your application (time limit 5 minutes). Please read the guidelines below and watch this video.

1. Introduce yourself
2. Conditioning:
   a. chin ups & push ups (max 10 each)
   b. leg lifts (max 10, on rack or bar)
   c. 1 leg squat (film facing front of student, max 10)
3. Flexibility:
   a. Middle, left and right split
   b. Back arch
   c. Sitting pike (legs straight)
4. Skills: Include any skills you want us to see. This could include circus, tumbling, skateboarding, juggling, singing, dancing, gymnastics, theatre, diving, trampolining etc.
5. Act: showing transitional movement and sequence (optional), please limit to 2 min max.

Video tips

We recommend considering the following while filming your audition:

• Film in a clear, well-lit space. We need to see you!
• Ensure your full body length is visible.
• Position the camera at an angle that shows you at your best.
• Use a tripod to ensure a stable image.
• Check the quality of image and sound prior to submission.

How can I send my video audition to you?

Before you complete your audition application, login or create a free Vimeo or Youtube account. Follow the instructions to upload your video and set the video to private or unlisted.

When you’re completing your audition application, paste the video URL/link and any required password into the application form where instructed.

What happens if I’ve been offered a place at the Fruit Flies?

We will send out letters of offer two weeks after the auditions via email. The letter will tell you which group you have been invited to join, and ask you to respond (accept or reject the offer) by a specific date.

Before the end of the year we will run a number of transition days so you can meet the other students, both new and currently enrolled, and get familiar with us, with the school and what to expect for your future schooling.

When you accept the offer you will also need to enrol in the school, purchase your school uniform and get ready for the new school year.

Do I have to attend the Flying Fruit Fly Circus School?

We do require that all of our students from years 3 – 9 attend the Flying Fruit Fly Circus School (FFFCS). It is a specialist selective school situated on the same grounds as the Felltimber Campus of Wodonga Middle Years College.

Students in years 10 – 12 are highly encouraged to attend our partner school Wodonga Senior Secondary College, due to their understanding of the program and as partner provider of the Certificate III in Circus Arts. Attendance at other secondary institutions may be approved on a case by case basis.

Is FFFCS a private school?

No, our school is a select entry public school. What that means is that from years 3-9 only students that are a part of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus go to the school. From Year 10 onwards students join the Wodonga Senior Secondary College.

My child has been offered a place but I am worried about the transition from their current school.

For some of the students it can be a very daunting idea to leave their current friend group and leap into the unknown. From our years of experience what we know is that this transition is made easier by our community school feel and that each and every student who is already enrolled has had the exact same experience and so can support our new students. What you can be confident in is that friends will be made, fun will be had, and after a little while it will all feel normal.

We are also happy to support each family as we work together to make this transition as easy as possible so let us now your thoughts on what might help. We are one big circus family after all.

What does a day in the life of a Fruit Fly student look like?

Like at any school each student’s timetable will depend on which training group you are allocated to and what year level you are in. There is a weekly routine each student follows with Morning Training, In-School Training (during school hours) and After-School Training — offering between 10 hours (the younger cohort) and 20 hours (for older students) of skills and Performance Training per week. We generally don’t train on the weekends or during school holidays unless we are in rehearsal or creative development for a show.

Morning Training is run three mornings a week at the Fruities in our Albury training space. Our dedicated bus then takes them to school for lessons. On the other days of the week, students arrive at school no later than 8.45 am.

We do all the normal school things like assemblies and classes and our students participate in interschool sporting events with the Felltimber campus. Because our students are all together, there are a mix of ages and year levels working together, which we know creates a very supportive and collaborative learning environment.

And don’t forget that all students receive the same number of teaching hours as any other school, giving them access to a great creative education.