National Institute of Circus Arts Open Training Program

NEW! ADV. TISSU WITH ONE AND ONLY HELENE EMBLING
NICA Rec now offers the exclusive opportunity to receive coaching from none other than Helene Embling – international aerial trainer, performer, director, and core circus educator of NICA’s higher ed programs (not that she requires an introduction).

Level 4/5 Tissu
Thursday evenings, 6:45 PM – 8:45 PM
27 January – 2 April

Advance your practice with Helene’s world-class pedagogy.

For bookings, visit https://portal.iclasspro.com/nicacircus/class-details/206?filters=%7B%22programs%22:%2215%22%7D

Happy 2026 everyone! 🎉
We’d love to hear from specialist aerial circus trainers who might be interested in teaching with NICA Recreation.

If you have strong experience in aerial disciplines such as silks, lyra and trapeze, and enjoy working with enthusiastic students in a supportive, high-quality training environment, we’d be keen to connect.

Casual ongoing and fill-in teaching opportunities are available across the year.

If this sounds like you (or someone you’d recommend), please get in touch with the NICA Recreation team to start a conversation and feel free to share this post with your networks!

Coming Up in Open Training!
Term 4 will commence on Monday 6 October. Please note: Due to events and building works in the main foyer between Monday 6 – Saturday 25 October, Open Training will be limited to the following times:

Week 1
Wed 8 Oct – 7:15–8:30pm

Week 2
Wed 15 & Thu 16 Oct – 5:30–8:30pm
Sat 18 Oct – 9:30am–1:00pm

Week 3
Mon 20 – Thu 23 Oct – 5:30–8:30pm
Sat 25 Oct – 9:30am–1:00pm

Dear Open Trainers,

Coming up in Open Training…

With the seating bank being installed in the NCC on Wednesday 10 September, here’s what the next few weeks are looking like:

Tue 9 Sept // Limited aerial and ground training

Wed 10 Sept – Thu 18 Sept // No open training

Sat 20 Sept // No training. NICA Rec Big Little Circus Shows

Holiday period // Mon 22 Sept to Fri 3 Oct // No training

See you back in term 4 starting Mon 6 Oct!

Coming up in Open Training…

With NICA’s 3rd year student ensemble show opening this week, here’s what’s coming up in Open Training:

Mon 16 – Sat 21 June // Show week - No training

Mon 23 – Sat 28 June // Show week - No training

Mon 30 June – Sat 5 July // Limited Open Training // End of term three

Holiday period // Mon 7 to Fri 18 July // No training

See you back in term three starting Mon 21 July

PS. If you would like to support our wonderful third years in their ensemble show PROTEUS, tickets are available here:

PROTEUS: NICA's third year ensemble In a post-modern deconstructed world, PROTEUS takes us on a mutable journey between the lives of people who don't belong to the world, but are...

Dear Open Trainers,

Map out the next few weeks of training - here’s what’s available at NICA:

Sat 29 Mar & 5 Apr // 9.30am-1.00pm (early finish)

Mon 31 Mar-Thu 3 Apr // 5.30pm-8.30pm

Mon 7- Thu 17 Apr // School holidays. No training

Open Training will recommence from Tuesday 22 April with the return of NICA Rec term 2 classes.

Dear Swing Artists,

NICA is running dedicated times in our circus studio over the next week to run Swing Training, for those with Cloud Swing and Swinging Trapeze circus specialties. The sessions will run in the morning from 10am-12pm and the afternoon from 1-3pm Monday to Friday until next Wednesday 26 March. Up to 2 swingers can book in along with a respective lunger.


If you are a member of NICA’s Open Training program and have a valid pass you can book online now: https://portal.iclasspro.com/nicacircus/account Please note you will need to have a lunger book to the corresponding lunging in at the same time. Lungers will need to to be inducted before their first session but after the induction they can book online as a lunger for your next Swing Training session using their lunging pass.


If you aren’t yet a member of NICA’s Open Training Program but would like to submit an application to train in your swinging specialty please read through our program, complete and check off all the requirements in the online form: https://www.nica.com.au/open-training


Please also include video footage links to support your completed application.


Individuals and groups wishing to utilise the facilities must have an application approved and adhere to the conditions of use as outlined in the application form. Once approved open training members must also supply a certificate of currency demonstrating their current Public Liability Insurance before booking into open training at NICA.

Happy swinging!

Customer Portal

Open Training is returning in 2025!

NICA Rec are pleased to announce that the Open Training Program will recommence for all members from Monday 3 February 2025.

Term dates: Mon 3 Feb – Sat 5 Apr
Times: Mon – Thu 5.30pm-8.30pm / Sat 9.30am – 1.30pm
NICA closed on Mon 10 March

Bookings can now be made through the online booking system. Contact [email protected] for more details.

All non-student members will be required to supply a current copy of their Public Liability Insurance prior to training in 2025.

We look forward to seeing you at NICA soon!