PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM | Circus Juventas

Training Opportunities

Our goal is to prepare our artists with high-level skills not just as an athlete, but as a performer.

Included in the custom program plan is daily training in specific disciplines, group classes in acrobatics, theater, dance, conditioning, flexibility, and injury prevention, and the opportunities to work with guest artists each session in our expansive Circus Juventas arena. The big top is climate controlled with 40+ foot ceilings, 12,000 SF arena matted floor, six points on track and center winch access, and private studio access for creative exploration. The arena also offers a kitchen and a weight training area.

Circus Juventas partners with TRIA to offer unparalleled access to injury prevention and movement pattern research, to teach our professional students to maintain their health and well-being while working as a professional circus performer.

Performance Opportunities

In the annual performance showcase, professional program students perform their act for an audience in our big top.

We partner with local and regional organizations for professional performance and event opportunities in the Twin Cities Metro.

Previous professional opportunities include Circus World in Baraboo, WI, PINK! announcement video for Xcel Energy Center, Minneapolis Downtown Council, and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department.

Tuition

2025-2026 Tuition: $8,100

Who Should Apply?

Applicants who are between ages 18-25 who have trained extensively in circus programs and are committed to making a career of their craft.
Applicants who have mastered training under their current instruction and would prefer a full-time, one-on-one approach to accelerate the level of their training.

Applications

Click HERE to apply!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This is an application-only training program; all applicants may not be accepted into the program.

The first round of the application process requires the online application, video, a short written essay for you to detail your level of experience, past training programs, and what you hope to gain through our program. We also require written recommendations from coaches.

Videos may be uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube and should be titled: Your Name, Circus Juventas Professional Program Audition Tape. There is a tab within the application page for you to submit a link to your audition recording for our directors to view. Current Circus Juventas students do not need to submit a video application.

Pending first round application approvals, we will schedule a meeting with the directors, either virtual or in-person. After the meeting with the directors, we will schedule an audition time for you to join us at Circus Juventas for the final round of approval.

Auditions will be held in person pending first round application approvals. Once your application has been approved we will reach out to schedule a meeting with the directors. After the meeting with the directors, we will schedule an audition time for you to join us at Circus Juventas for the final round of approval.

Our Coaches

View our Professional Program coaches HERE.

Contact

If you have any questions for our Program Directors, please reach out to malia@circusjuventas.org, rob@circusjuventas.org, or adminstaff@circusjuventas.org.

APPLY HERE

Circus Juventas Professional Program

OVERVIEW

The Circus Juventas Professional Program offers world-class customized training for young adults preparing for careers as working circus professionals. The two-year training program with our renowned coaching staff allows students to develop professional skills, prepare for auditions and festivals, build dynamic act routines, and network with professional organizations such as Cirque du Soleil and other notable professional circus companies.

In Circus Juventas’s 28-year history, many alumni of the advanced youth program have gone on to professional careers with Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, The Wallenda Family, Bello Nock, The Royal Hanneford Circus, Cirque Mechanics, Cirque Eloize, and many other professional circus organizations. Director Malia Jones leads the professional program along with Rob Dawson, CJ’s Executive Director. They have built on the comprehensive foundations of CJ to create a custom experience with a singular goal: getting students out into the professional world of circus.

Professional Program students focus on chosen disciplines and integrated cross-training within the five genres offered at CJ: aerial, acrobatics, balance, dance, and theater. Based on evaluations and experiences, classes and curriculum are designed for each student to fit individual talents, skills, and goals. The Professional Program offers 20 hours of scheduled training per week, Monday-Friday 12:00-4:00 p.m., and five hours of open gym per week, Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Scheduled training includes 1:1 coaching in specialized acts and small group classes for acrobatics, handstands, conditioning, flexibility, dance, theater, injury prevention, and career development. Professional Program runs September-May, with limited training space during summer months depending on potential Professional Program performances.

APPLICATIONS

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This is an application-only training program; all applicants may not be accepted into the program.

The first round of the application process requires the online application, video, and a short written essay detailing your level of experience, past training programs, and what you hope to gain through our program. We require written recommendations from coaches and an interview with the directors.

APPLY HERE

INJURY PREVENTION WITH TRIA ORTHOPEDICS

The most important asset to a professional athlete is their body. The medical team at TRIA Orthopedics partners with Circus Juventas to provide specialized care to participants in the Circus Juventas Professional Program. Working with performers, TRIA Orthopedics and Health Partners focuses on injury prevention and education, helping athletes achieve peak performance goals while reducing the risk of injury.

OUR DIRECTORS

The Circus Juventas Professional Program is led by Malia Jones and Rob Dawson. They build on the comprehensive foundations of CJ to create a custom experience with a singular goal: get our students out into the professional world of circus. 

Malia Jones, Professional Program Director and Head Coach

Malia was a collegiate gymnast at UCLA from 2000-2003 where the team earned three NCAA National titles. Malia then went on to start her Circus career, first at Sea World in San Diego and then on to Las Vegas in Franco Dragone’s “Le Reve”. From 2007-2008 she toured North America with Cirque du Soleil’s “Saltimbanco” as a house troupe artist performing on Russian Swing, Chinese Poles and Bungee. In 2009 she was honored to take part in the creation of the show “The House of Dancing Water” and performed in that show from 2009-2013 and again in 2015 as a house troupe artist. Malia also had the pleasure of performing Bungee in the Special Event by Cirque du Soleil, Allavita for the World Expo in Milan, Italy in 2015. She then switched gears to coaching and accepted a role as “Artistic Manager” at Creative by Cirque du Soleil at ClubMed in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic which opened the door to coaching on board the MSC Bellissima for Cirque du Soleil at Sea and then on the touring show, Bazzar. Malia is thrilled to share her experience and passion for circus at Circus Juventas.

Rob Dawson, Executive Director and Coach

Rob began his Circus career as a member of the Florida State University Flying High Circus. For sixteen years he performed with Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere and La Nouba as a flying trapeze catcher, Chinese poles acrobat, and aerial silks soloist. Rob then became the first manager for Club Med Creative by Cirque du Soleil, a circus-inspired training facility in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Most recently he held the positions of Head Coach for Cirque’s KA and MJ One in Las Vegas, NV. 