Spotlight Presents: Sky-Fi Circus Show

Spotlight Presents: Sky-Fi Circus Show

by | Mar 9, 2025 | News, Our Team & Community, Performance, Projects, Spotlight

Meet our youth performance troupe, Spotlight and hear about our upcoming space themed circus and aerial show, Sky-Fi!

Spotlight

Originally formed in 2019, made up of a group of young performers from Skylight Circus Arts’ youth circus and aerial classes. They inspired the community and showcased their talent at community events such as Rochdale Feel Good Festival, Middleton Sports and Culture Awards and Darnhill Festival. They were set to debut their first solo show ‘Mammoth’ at Gracie Fields Theatre in March 2020, but the pandemic halted those plans.

Skylight Circus Manchester NW Aerial Silk Performers
Skylight Circus Youth Circus Theatre Performance
Skylight Circus Youth Circus Acro Training
Skylight Circus backstage at Middleton Arena
Skylight Circus NW Acrobatic Artists

While most of the original Spotlight members have moved on to university, one now works with us as a freelance circus and aerial tutor and performer, both here at Skylight and other venues in the North West. She has also worked on the Sky-Fi project and will be performing in the show!

A New Generation

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, we have been able to reignite Spotlight with a brand new cohort of young circus performers and creatives to create a new circus show Sky-Fi.

The new Spotlight group, formed in January 2025, is made up of 14 young performers aged 12-20 all from the Rochdale and the surrounding areas. They’ve trained with us in Skylight’s regular youth circus classes and have shown a strong interest in developing their performance skills and working within the arts.

“My favourite part of being in Spotlight and creating Sky-Fi has been creating the show with everyone else. Some of us didn’t really know each other that well before January but we’re like a big team now.” 

– Spotlight Member

Spotlight’s Upcoming Circus Show: Sky-Fi

Since January, Skylight have been creating, training and rehearsing with Spotlight to create Sky Fi, an circus show that will take audiences on a journey to explore the curiosity of the vastness of space, the movement of zero gravity, and our connection to the universe.

Expect to step into the abyss with a mesmerising tight wire performance, orbiting unicyclists and aerial acts questioning time and space.

One of the initial sparks of inspiration from the group was the idea of how enormous the universe is, and how tiny we really are here on earth.

 

 

“I like to think about how tiny we are, compared to everything else. Like when you think about life and your problems, but then you zoom out and take step back and think about how big the universe is, it’s actually kind of nice because it makes your problems feel smaller.”

– Spotlight Member

 

Creative Employment Pathways

Skylight Circus Arts is working hard to provide opportunities for our young people in creative employment pathways. With two Spotlight members already working with us, Spotlight’s journey is a testament to that vision.

By giving these talented young performers the opportunity to develop their skills in circus, performance and other areas within the creative industry we hope to inspire and provide more opportunities to the next generation of circus artists and young creatives.

Support Spotlight

Come and witness the magic of Sky-Fi and support the next generation of circus artists! Whether you’re a fan of circus, space, or simply love a good show, this is an event not to be missed.

Date: Saturday 15th March 3pm & 7pm and Sunday 16th March 11am & 3pm
Location: Skylight Circus Arts, St Chads Fold, Sparrow Hill, Rochdale, OL16 1QT
Tickets: £5 per person (must book in advance)

Tickets

Help Shape Spotlights Future

We are working hard to secure funding to keep our Spotlight performance troupe thriving. If you’d like to help us provide opportunities for young Rochdale creatives, please consider donating. Your support makes a difference!
Donate

Contact us to find out more about our classes and our wonderful Skylight community.

A Work Experience Placement at Skylight Circus Arts

A Work Experience Placement at Skylight Circus Arts

by | Mar 5, 2025 | Education, News, Our Team & Community

We were delighted when one of our long standing youth circus members asked us if they could have their work experience week with us in December 2024

Darci has been coming to Skylight since she was 4 and has grown up in our youth and aerial classes. She has performed in many of our shows over the years and is now part of our newly established Spotlight Troupe who are currently training for their first performance Sky-Fi in just a few weeks! Darci already volunteers with us weekly within our youth circus and aerial classes and is an inspiration to some of the younger participants she supports.

Here’s Darci’s week in the life of her work experience here at Skylight.

This week I got to do my work experience at Skylight. I decided to do my placement at skylight because I love circus arts and knew I wanted to spend my work experience week doing something I was passionate about and would enjoy. I had such a great time being a part of the team and getting ready for the Christmas show.

On my first day, Martine gave me a helpful introduction to what this week would be like as well as other important things such as safeguarding. Monday was a very busy day, as we got the hall ready for the Christmas Show. It was hard work but so rewarding to see how good it all looked by the end. After all the hard work, I had some time to relax before the show. To end an amazing first day, I performed and watched the Christmas show. Everybody had such a great time and lots of fun!

 

On Tuesday I organised and prepared some equipment for the show. After the show we had to do some hard work, putting away everything from the hall and restoring it back to normal. I worked as a part of a team, and thanks to our amazing team work we managed to pack everything away within an hour. Tuesday was a very helpful day as it taught me a lot about teamwork and the importance of working together.

 

On Wednesday, my work day was quite different from the previous days. As the Christmas show was over, I did some administrative work. I looked through all the pictures from the Christmas show and picked out the ones that I thought were the best, then using canva I edited them and got them ready to be posted to the Skylight social media accounts. I liked that on Wednesday I had lots of independence and could use my creativity in the jobs I did.

I am very excited as later in the week I will be doing a circus taster workshop for a local youth group with Gil and Danni. I think that it will be great and a fun challenge as it is a different kind of job then the rest of the days. I can’t wait!

If I was to sum up this week in one word it would be – rewarding, because I have done lots of hard work this week and got to see how it pays off. Doing my work experience this week, especially as it was a show week, has shown me how much hard work and effort everybody at Skylight puts into shows and making sure everything runs smoothly. I have loved my week of work experience and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

Contact us to find out more about our classes and our wonderful Skylight community.

A Magical Celebration & A Fond Farewell

A Magical Celebration & A Fond Farewell

by | Mar 5, 2025 | News, Our Team & Community, Performance

Christmas feels like a distant memory now as we dive into all things circus in 2025! Our regular classes are back in full swing, and we’re excited to continue sharing the joy of circus arts with the community.

We couldn’t let our annual Christmas Show Ho Ho pass without a special mention!

“Fantastic show, really heartwarming to see everyone enjoying showcasing their talents onstage. Great job 👏🏻”

– Parent of Youth Performer 

Over both nights we saw a range of acts, all created by the performers themselves in their regular weekly classes, with support from our dedicated and talented circus tutors. Performers included our youth, adult and Silver Circus members from our regular weekly classes.

To name a few highlights we saw the juggling duos, a balancing Christmas Tree (you had to be there!), 6 mini acrobats, LED Silver Circus mash-up with flying diabolos, skipping ropes and stilt walkers, breath-taking silk drops, the famous plate-spinning ladder trick, and of course, the big man himself with the stilt walking reindeers! Performers ranged from ages 8 to 88!

Photos coming soon…

To The Performers,

An enormous well done to all of you who thought creatively, worked together, practised your skills each week to create a brilliant show!

It takes bravery, courage and your passionate circus sparks to be able to stand up in front of an audience and make them smile!

A Big Shoutout

A big shoutout to our incredible youth volunteers Darci, Elsa, and Isabella who inspire the younger generation of circus performers and volunteer their time weekly to support in our midi youth circus and aerial classes! One of which completed her work experience week with us the week of the show, and has written ‘The Diary Of A Work Experience Student, with Skylight Circus’.

The night also marked a bittersweet moment as we said goodbye to our CEO, David, whose passion and leadership and fine eye for a branded Skylight water bottle have shaped Skylight over the past few years. While we’ll miss him, (we do already) we celebrate all he’s achieved and wish him the best!

With no budget or extra rehearsal time, this show is a true labor of love, powered by our dedicated staff team, freelance circus and aerial tutors, volunteers who help to set up the space, and performers who make the evenings magical! 

Thank you to our amazing audiences of family and friends for your donations on each evening, your much needed support helps us to keep sharing the joy, excitement and love that we all have for the world of circus!

Contact us to find out more about our classes and our wonderful Skylight community.

Become a Ringmaster

Become a Ringmaster

by | Nov 20, 2024 | News, Our Team & Community

A Message from Jim and Noreen

As founders and Trustees of Skylight Circus Arts, we’ve had the privilege of participating, teaching and seeing up close, the extraordinary impact of our work on communities across Greater Manchester and beyond.

We often talk about the transformative power of circus arts but when you see a young person light up with newfound confidence, or witness a child with disabilities discovering joy and skill in our sessions, you truly understand the heart of what we do. None of it would be possible without the support of people like you, our champions, our “Ringmasters!”

Become a Ringmaster

young girl and elderly man doing acro balance position while on stilts

Becoming a Ringmaster is our invitation to those who want to go a step further. It’s more than a regular donation; it’s a pledge to stand with us month after month, helping to bring circus arts to those who need it most.

When you join us as a Ringmaster, you’re funding the equipment, training and people who make our sessions possible. You’re directly contributing to our work in schools, our classes, our inclusive programmes and our performances that bring communities together, spark joy and inspire confidence.

To Our Existing Ringmasters

Our deepest thanks. Your support fuels our ambitions and helps us to reach further than we could alone. To those considering joining, we invite you to step up, take a seat in the circle and become part of the Skylight magic.

 

Jim Riley and Noreen White

Chair and Trustee

 

 

If you would like to speak to us about any other ways you can donate or support us please contact us.

Welcoming Our New Board Members

Welcoming Our New Board Members

by | Nov 19, 2024 | News, Our Team & Community

We’re thrilled to announce the addition of two outstanding new board members to the Skylight Circus Arts family, Adele Navesey-Hall and Bushra Sultana.

Each brings unique expertise, boundless creativity, and a deep commitment to the arts and community engagement.

Adele Navesey-Hall

Professionally, Adele is an experienced educator specializing in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Her role within education has allowed her to advocate tirelessly for inclusive learning, and she brings this invaluable perspective to our board. Her expertise ensures that Skylight continues to be a welcoming space for people of all abilities, where everyone can feel empowered to learn, explore, and express themselves through the art of circus.

We asked Adele, what inspired you to join Skylight Circus Arts as a board member?

“I have had a lifelong passion for the arts through dance and drama as a participant, performer and teacher. The arts empower, build confidence, boost self-esteem, improve wellbeing and socially connect people and communities. Being part of Skylight Circus and being involved with a diverse range of people from all ages and abilities has been a joy and showcases its importance within the community where everyone is valued.

The Generations Project saw young and old working together collaboratively to share stories and experiences to create a brilliant performance and develop their skills.”
 

Adele Navesey-Hall has been a vital part of the Skylight community for many years, engaging both as a participant and performer in various classes and shows over the years. Her connection with Skylight runs even deeper as she’s shared these experiences with her children, who grew up attending our circus sessions, creating memories that have become an enduring family legacy.

 

What inspired you to join Skylight Circus Arts as a board member?

“I have been involved with Skylight for over 25 years. Skylight has taught, supported and develop my children in terms of skill development and well-being. It has given them the confidence to have a go, perform, volunteer, work as part of the team and build friendships. I wanted to give something back and be part of sustaining it future.”

Adele’s Daughters – Spark 2022

Bushra Sultana

Bushra Sultana joins our board with an impressive background as a visual artist and creative leader rooted in the heart of Rochdale. Her artistic journey has taken her into diverse educational and community settings, where she has shared her talent and insight with students and communities alike. Bushra’s collaborations include work with key organizations such as Your Trust Rochdale, HOME MCR, and Factory International, where her role has centred on fostering community engagement and making the arts more accessible and inspiring.

 

We asked Bushra, what do you believe are the key benefits of circus arts for communities, especially in Rochdale?

“Circus arts can enrich communities by promoting engagement, bringing people together , encouraging social interaction and collaboration among diverse groups.

Cultural enrichment – Promote local talent, storytelling and cultural heritage through performance and workshops.

Circus Arts involve a range of physical activities that provide a fun way for people of all ages to engage in physical exercise , which can lead a healthier lifestyle.

Circus Arts encourage creativity and self-expression. Participants have the opportunity to explore their artistic abilities, develop their own unique acts and express themselves in a support environment.”

skylight circus arts board member

If you would like to speak to us about joining our board or volunteering with Skylight Circus Arts please contact us.