Spotlight Presents: Sky-Fi Circus Show

Spotlight Presents: Sky-Fi Circus Show

by | Mar 9, 2025 | News and Updates, Our Team & Community, Performances & Events, Project Updates

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 | News and Updates, 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 and Updates, Our Team & Community, Performances & Events

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.

A message on behalf of the Board of Trustees

A message on behalf of the Board of Trustees

by | Dec 19, 2024 | News and Updates, Our Team & Community

The Board are delighted to announce Martine has accepted a promotion to the position of Director. Martine will retain her Creative Director responsibilities while assuming additional operational responsibilities in the wake of David leaving Skylight at the end of this year.
We’re also pleased to announce, following a stellar impact at Skylight since joining the staff team just over a year ago, Charma has been promoted to the position of Schools Coordinator. She will assume some additional responsibilities in developing our education offer.
We look forward to supporting Martine, Mick and Charma in this next phase of Skylight’s development.

The Board would like to thank David for his work with the team in developing Skylight over the last three and a half years. We wish him well in his future endeavours.

How Circus Impacts on Children’s Language and Literacy Development

How Circus Impacts on Children’s Language and Literacy Development

by | Nov 21, 2024 | News and Updates, Our Team & Community, Why Circus

How Circus Skills are Transforming Lives

In recent years, the challenges facing young people’s language and literacy development have been widely reported across the UK. National waiting lists for speech and language referrals continue to grow, leaving many children without the timely support they need.

At Skylight Circus Arts, our Circus Train the Trainer programme has stepped up to meet this need, offering a unique, evidence-based solution that is changing lives and advancing educational outcomes, one circus skill at a time.

The Language and Literacy Crisis in UK Schools

According The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, more than 75,000 children in the UK are on waiting lists for specialist language and literacy support. With primary schools particularly affected by this gap, teachers are seeking creative solutions to stimulate learning and personal development. Through Circus Train the Trainer, we have developed a programme that not only delivers immediate improvement but also brings joy and engagement to the learning process.

Skylight Circus Manchester primary school workshop

Circus: A New Approach to Development

Rochdale Primary school teachers and teaching assistants with their Skylight Circus Train the Trainer resource packs.

Our Circus Train the Trainer programme empowers primary schools to support children in new, impactful ways. Designed as a flexible cascade learning model, it trains teachers to deliver circus-based activities tailored to enhance children’s speech, language and overall cognitive development. Over the past three years, Circus Train the Trainer has reached over 600 primary school children, with extraordinary results

  • Language Development: In partnership with Rochdale’s Early Help and Schools, Children participating in this programme, advanced their language and literacy skills by an average of 1 year in a single term, an outcome that exceeded expectations.
  • Engagement and Confidence: 90% of teachers reported that students showed increased classroom participation and improved confidence.
  • Motor Skills and Concentration: Circus activities develop fine and gross motor skills, which research shows is vital for young learners’ language development and concentration. Teachers noted that students showed increased focus, resilience and a readiness to learn across subjects.

“These results point to the remarkable potential of circus arts as an innovative educational tool, particularly at a time when the demand for mental health and language support far outstrips available resources” 

Martine Bradford, Creative Director  

Evidence Based Impact: How Circus is Helping Schools Bridge the Gap

The Circus Train the Trainer programme has provided primary schools with a measurable and immediate solution to improve students’ language and literacy outcomes. With waiting times for specialist support exceeding 18 months in some regions, schools are often left to tackle these issues independently. Our programme has demonstrated a tangible improvement, reflected in standardised literacy and Welcomm scores, with children achieving developmental milestones faster than through traditional methods alone.

young girl on stilts being helped by peer at school
Train the Trainer circus programme for schools in Greater Manchester

Additionally, Circus programme complements the UK government’s call for promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges, using creative approaches to mental health and well-being. Studies highlight that physically engaging and skill-based activities like circus arts help children manage anxiety, build self-esteem, and improve overall emotional resilience. Teachers have seen firsthand how circus skills are a powerful tool for self-expression, offering students a sense of accomplishment and pride.

The Power of Collaboration: Creating Long-Term Change

Circus Train the Trainer is more than just a school programme; it’s a community initiative. By working alongside schools, local authorities and mental health professionals, Skylight Circus Arts is paving the way for a sustainable model that could be scaled nationally. Our partnerships allow for tailored, flexible approaches to meet specific local needs, ensuring that every child has access to the life-changing benefits of circus arts.

“Our flexible approach allows us to create bespoke delivery options for each school. We work alongside teachers and pupils to create the greatest possible impact.”

Martine Bradford Creative Director

Teachers learning circus skills in Skylight's Train the trainer programme Rochdale

What’s Next for Circus Train the Trainer?

At Skylight Circus Arts, we’re eager to expand our offer and reach even more schools and communities across the North West. With the support of local authorities and funders, we can extend our programme to provide every child with an opportunity to thrive. Our goal is to continue to grow our flexible offer, proving that circus skills do more than entertain, they change lives! For schools and organisations interested in bringing the Circus Train the Trainer programme to their classrooms, we invite you to discuss how we can work together to make a difference. We’re on a mission to show that circus skills can be an essential tool for education, well-being and personal growth.

Contact Skylight Circus Arts today to learn more about how circus is transforming lives and communities. Together, we can create a brighter, more connected future for our children.

Become a Ringmaster

Become a Ringmaster

by | Nov 20, 2024 | News and Updates, 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.