How to Be Acrobatic Performer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 13, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Acrobatic performances are often thrilling and captivating to watch. They involve a variety of difficult physical feats, which require a high level of skill and strength. Such performances often involve a combination of flips, jumps, and spins, as well as other movements that require intense physical coordination.

The performers must also have a good sense of balance in order to perform the stunts safely. All of these elements combined create an impressive display of physical prowess and agility, which can be extremely satisfying to witness. The effects of such performances are two-fold: not only does it provide a form of entertainment and excitement for the audience, but it also serves as an inspiration for people to pursue their own physical goals and aspirations.

Steps How to Become

Take classes in an acrobatic discipline. Popular disciplines include aerial acrobatics, tumbling, and hand balancing. Look for classes in your local area, or consider enrolling in an acrobatic school to receive more comprehensive training.
Join a performance troupe or circus. Many troupes or circuses offer training and performance opportunities for acrobats of all skill levels. These groups may give you the chance to learn new skills or refine your existing talent.
Practice regularly. Attend regular classes and rehearsals to keep your skills sharp and stay in shape. Consider working with a personal trainer to improve your strength, flexibility, and balance.
Put together a portfolio of your work and accomplishments. Include any certificates or awards you have won, as well as videos of your performances and choreography.
Market yourself by submitting your portfolio to casting agents, circuses, and agencies that hire acrobats. Promote yourself on social media and create a website to showcase your skills.
Consider undertaking additional training in areas such as dance, acting, and stage combat. This can help you become more versatile and increase your chances of getting hired.
Prepare yourself physically and mentally for each performance by stretching and visualizing your routine. Make sure to warm up properly before each show, and wear protective gear if necessary.

An ideal and qualified acrobatic performer requires extensive training and dedication to master the art. This type of performer must possess a high level of physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and concentration in order to perform complex and impressive tricks. Additionally, they must have a strong understanding of safety protocols to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them. With consistent practice, a dedicated attitude, and a good coach, an acrobatic performer can develop the necessary skills to become an ideal and qualified acrobatic performer.

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Job Description

Acrobatic Performance Coordinator: Responsible for coordinating acrobatic performances, ensuring that performers are properly prepared and have the necessary equipment and props.
Acrobatic Performance Choreographer: Responsible for creating and executing choreography for acrobatic performances.
Acrobatic Instructor: Responsible for teaching acrobatic skills to performers, ensuring that they understand the proper techniques and safety protocols.
Safety Coordinator: Responsible for ensuring that all safety protocols are followed during acrobatic performances.
Acrobatic Props Manager: Responsible for managing props and equipment used in acrobatic performances.
Acrobatic Equipment Specialist: Responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment used in acrobatic performances.
Lighting Technician: Responsible for setting up and operating lighting rigs for acrobatic performances.
Special Effects Coordinator: Responsible for coordinating special effects for acrobatic performances.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Agility
Coordination
Balance
Flexibility
Strength
Endurance
Body Awareness
Precision
Accuracy
Timing
Creativity
Showmanship
Focus
Self-discipline
Courage
Teamwork

Being an acrobatic performer requires a great deal of skill and dedication. The most important skill to have is strength and balance. To build strength, acrobats should practice strength-building exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and planks.

To increase balance, acrobats should practice yoga and Pilates to improve their flexibility and coordination. practice is essential in acrobatics, as repetition is key in mastering the intricate and often dangerous stunts. Rehearsing the same routine over and over will help perfect the performance.

A successful acrobatic performer must also have a great deal of focus and determination. It is important to stay focused on the task at hand and to remain confident in one's abilities. Determination is key in order to push through the challenging and sometimes painful times that come with mastering the art of acrobatics.

With strength, balance, practice, focus, and determination, any performer can become an accomplished acrobatic performer.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have performing acrobatics?
How do you ensure your safety when performing acrobatics?
How do you stay physically fit to perform acrobatics?
How do you prepare for a performance?
How do you stay motivated to practice acrobatics?
What unique skills or talents do you bring to acrobatic performance?
How do you collaborate with other performers during a show?
Describe a time that you overcame a challenge while performing acrobatics.
How do you handle the stress of performing in front of an audience?
What challenges have you encountered while performing acrobatics and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Aerial Silks. Fabric suspended from the ceiling used to wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral around the body. (Eg: An acrobat performing a series of aerial maneuvers on a pair of aerial silks)
Trapeze. A swinging apparatus used to perform aerial tricks. (Eg: An acrobat performing a spinning somersault off a trapeze bar)
Hoop. A large, suspended hoop used to perform aerial moves. (Eg: An acrobat performing a series of flips and twirls inside a hoop)
Lyra. A suspended metal ring used to perform aerial acrobatics and poses. (Eg: An acrobat performing a series of spins and twists on a lyra hoop)
Rope. A strong rope used to support an acrobats body weight and perform tricks. (Eg: An acrobat performing a series of flips and inversions while suspended from a rope)
Cyr Wheel. A large metal wheel used to spin, roll, and execute tricks. (Eg: An acrobat spinning and flipping in a cyr wheel)

Professional Organizations to Know

USA Gymnastics
International Acrobatic Society
International Gymnastics Federation
Federation Internationale de Gymnastique
International Federation of Gymnastics
World Acrobatic Federation
The Acrobatic Arts
British Gymnastics
International Jugglers' Association
CircusTalk

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Common Important Terms

Aerial Acrobatics. A form of physical performance involving acrobatic skills while suspended in the air, often with the use of circus apparatus such as a trapeze or hoop.
Contortionism. The art of contorting one's body into extreme and unusual positions.
Handbalancing. A skill where an individual balances their entire body on their hands.
Juggling. The art of keeping multiple objects in the air by throwing and catching them.
Strength Acts. Acrobatic acts that involve strength, often requiring the performer to lift and hold another person or multiple people in the air for a period of time.
Tumbling. An acrobatic discipline involving the rolling and flipping of the body through the air, primarily using hands and feet for momentum.
Acro-Dance. A form of dance that combines elements of acrobatic techniques, ballet, jazz, and gymnastics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Acrobatic Performer?

An Acrobatic Performer is an athlete who performs acrobatic or gymnastic feats as part of a performance.

What types of acrobatics can a performer do?

Acrobatic Performers can do many different types of acrobatics, including tumbling, swinging, balancing, and aerial stunts.

How long does it take to become an acrobatic performer?

It typically takes several years of hard work and dedication to become an accomplished Acrobatic Performer.

What safety precautions should acrobatic performers take?

Acrobatic Performers should always practice safety measures, such as using protective mats and spotters, and warming up and stretching before each performance.

What is the difference between acrobatics and gymnastics?

The main difference between acrobatics and gymnastics is that acrobatics focuses on physical feats with little to no apparatus, whereas gymnastics involves specialized equipment and apparatus.