Circus - THE POINT

THE POINT brings the circus to the South Bronx through one-of-a-kind Cirque du

Monde social circus workshops and live circus performances.

I. Social Circus
A central feature of its Youth Art Programs, THE POINT is proud to host New York City's only Cirque du Monde workshops. The social outreach program of internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil^® , Cirque du Monde uses circus as an alternative education tool to engage youth in communities around the world. The mission of Cirque du Monde at THE POINT is to empower youth through the basic concepts of social circus including trust, self-confidence, focus, perseverance and teamwork. THE POINT offers weekly social circus workshops in a fun and supportive atmosphere to young people in grades 3 and higher. Workshops feature aerobic games, stretching, conditioning and circus skills such as trapeze, physical comedy and juggling.

Drop-In Class & No Beef Thursdays
Each Thursday evening, Cirque du Monde offers a free drop-in class for middle grades and teen students in conjunction with No Beef

Through THE POINT's South Bronx Food Justice and Active Living Initiative, young people are leading the effort to improve food access and encourage active living at the neighborhood level while also organizing community members to advocate for lasting policy changes. A core project component, No Beef Thursdays is a weekly event that provides free healthy meals to young people and their families at THE POINT's Community Cafe in combination with arts and academic programming. Project partners including Bascom Catering, Blank Plate and THE POINT's Cirque du Monde social circus program help create this opportunity for community members to dine together and to create systemic change one healthy bite at a time. .

II. Circus Events
Cirque du Soleil
Through its partnership with the internationally acclaimed circus, THE POINT sells ticketsto Cirque du Soleil shows. One hundred percent of ticket sales benefit Cirque du Monde social circus classes at THE POINT! Please visit THE POINT's website for benefit announcements or contact Teresa Kochis at (718) 542 - 4139 or tskochis30@gmail.com.

Young Audience Series
THE POINT"s Live From the Edge Theater offers circus performances with visiting companies to public schools, youth organizations and general audiences.

III. Hire a Circus Coach, Support The Bronx!
Have your very own Circus Workshop and support social circus in the South Bronx! THE POINT's professional circus intructors will design a workshop especially for you. Perfect for your corporate team building, birthday parties and other group events. A portion of the proceeds benefit circus classes at THE POINT! Contact Deven Sisler at (718) 542 - 4139 or cirquethepoint@gmail.com with questions and inquiries, or to book a workshop.

THE POINT's Circus Instructors

Jill Maglio (Cirque du Monde Coach Coordinator) has been a member of the Cirque teaching team since 2010. Jill is an Occupational Therapist, whose published thesis was on Circus & Occupational Therapy (Dec. 2008), and circus performer who comes to THE POINT with a fresh perspective and passion for social circus from down under. She has worked with a variety of programs internationally with responsibilities varying from program development, program facilitation/co-facilitation and evaluation. These include: M’loptapang Center for Street Children, Circus Oz Disability Project, Epic Arts Cambodia, Holistic Circus Therapies, Westside Circus - JUMP JET program and R.E.A.C.H (which she created from the ground up).

Victor Vauban Junior, actor, dancer and circus performer is originally from Brazil, and settled in New York City in 2003. He began his professional training in circus performing and Capoeira as a teenager at the Escola Nacional de Circo (Rio de Janeiro 1988), and has pursued the performing arts as a career since. He has performed with a number of international circus companies such as: UniverSoul Circus, Gran Circus Norte-American, Beto Carrero Show, and Gran Bartholo Circus. Victor is an eternal admirer of the Afro-Brazilian culture and is always willing to share his passion for arts with his students, friends and community.