About POW Circus

POW began

in 1995 when Women's Circus member Jean Taylor conducted a brief series of workshops in circus skills for women over 40 years of age. These workshops culminated in a performance - Act Your Age. After the show, members decided to continue as an autonomous group - the Performing Older Women's (POW) Circus - auspiced by Footscray Community Arts Centre.

POW is

run as a collective of women, currently aged between 40 and 63 years, who train throughout the year in circus skills. Many POW members also participate in the small and large scale performances, some of which have been toured to regional Victoria and to Sydney.

POW offers training members

workshops which encourage and support members to extend themselves and achieve their personal best. Weekly classes in acrobalance and aerials are conducted by highly skilled and talented trainers.

Physical training classes include

Weekly aerials and acrobalance classes are held in Footscray and Fitzroy. All training is led by qualified trainers with experience in circus arts/ performance or related disciplines. Participants do not need to have any previous aerials or acrobalance experience but do need to be enthusiastic about developing these skills in a supportive group of women over 40.

Trainers have regard for any modifications that need to be made in training for 'older bodies' and training is tailored to suit the skill levels of participants. POW offers a first class for free where any woman interested in 'checking POW out', can participate in a training session free of charge to help her decide if it's right for her.

Information about training days, times, venues and costs can be found on the POW Circus Fees Payment Form.

POW inspires by

offering small and large scale shows which audience members have described as "unbelievable" and "moving". Most circuses show people doing the impossible. POW shows older performers and musicians achieving the possible (and sometimes the difficult as well).

In the words of a young audience member watching performers on trapeze,
"I didn't know grandmas could do that!"

POW's objectives are

• to challenge ageism and ageist assumptions
• to promote wellbeing and fitness for women over 40 of any sexual orientation, ethnicity, class, experience and physical ability
• to advance the status of women by embracing feminist perspectives and fostering lesbian visibility
• to have fun and work safely

More information about POW's structure and decision making processes in POW Structure and Decision Making.