September 27th, 2023 | 6-8 PM @ 4939 Broadway Ave
Variety circus comedian Etienne McGinley proposes a comprehensive Rola Bola workshop like no other. This all-levels-all-disciplines approach will give you a new way to develop your balance, spacial awareness, and the knowledge to overcome any challenge. Using techniques developed by Olympic trainers, you will learn how to create equilibrium by simultaneously applying force externally and internally.
This is a 2-hour workshop that every artist can benefit from — the lessons taught can be seamlessly applied to acrobatics, aerial, juggling and more. We are going to have fun and expand our circus skill set!
Attendees will each be given an illustrated handout of all topics covered as well as a link to private Youtube instructional videos of topics covered. Possibility of Rola Bola equipment being provided and for sale to students as well.
Workshop overview:
Students will be given a complete overview of the equipment and learn the applications, advantages, and differences between various cylinder diameters, materials, and weights. Board lengths and thickness and weights will also be covered as well as the use of grip tapes and adhesives. Students will learn to take a rigorous and methodical approach to researching and choosing the tools which match their goals.
Preparatory warm-ups, mental and physical as well as conditioning drills to isolate, strengthen and use the appropriate muscle groups more effectively.
Progressions for four different methods of mounting the Rola Bola
Drills for controlling balance on both the x and y axis using weight shifting, isolating and minimizing superfluous muscle use.
Centering and spacial awareness
More advanced students will learn:
Progressions for learning the "board walk" and single foot balance
Progressions for cylinder stacking, table table stacking, bowling ball balance
Rola Bola as a platform for juggling and other skills
Duration of workshop: 2 hours
Instructor Bio:
Etienne McGinley was a theatre kid that was bitten by the circus bug when he began clowning with Ringling Bros in 1996. In addition to his training at the Clown College, he also studied at the École Internationale du Théâtre Jacques Lecoq and the École National du Cirque Frattelini, both in Paris, France. He trained Hand to Hand and Icarian games with Cirque du Soleil coach Jerome LeBaut in Montreal. Étienne has created his own variety comedy shows performing in circuses, festivals, headlining on cruise ships, colleges and corporate events in 2 languages and over a dozen countries.
More Information can be found at: