International Circus Festival YOUNG STAGE Basel

About Young Stage

The mission of YOUNG STAGE Basel

The non-profit association YOUNG STAGE Basel has the mission to support young, highly motivated and talented artist from Switzerland and from all over the world, to enable them to start their carrier and help them make their dreams come true.
In addition, children and youth in Switzerland should become inspired to do circus themselves and get the opportunity to get in contact with professionals. Last but not least YOUNG STAGE should advocate that the performing art “circus artistic” becomes more visible and receives more recognition as well as cultural funding. In all of the association’s actions and projects those missions are the main focus.

The festival consists of various events and projects some of which also take place during the year.

The YOUNG STAGE Show / The Competition:

The YOUNG STAGE Festival, conceived as a competition, is undisputedly on of the world’s most important circus festivals and platforms for young artists. The event is unique in its form in Switzerland and world-renowned in the scene. Around 400 artists from all over the world have been able to profit from the platform in Basel. 600 talents from 60 nations apply each year to participate. YOUNGSTAGE serves as a job fair for the young artists who have completed their education at an art academy (bachelor or master) or at a state circus school and whose goal it is to make living as an artists. Producers from around the world travel each year to Basel to scout new talents for their shows and the emotionally charged shows attract 6’000 – 8’00 spectators in all age categories each year.

The Open-Air Circus Spectacle:

The two-day Open-Air Circus-Spectacle brings the young, innovative circus to the general public in an uncomplicated and low-threshold way and creates a creative circus feeling in the city. The people of Basel can enjoy free shows in different places and on various stages in the city center of Basel and spend a fantastic circus weekend with their family. With the Circus Parkour even the youngest can get a chance to try out different circus discipline and become a circus star.

The Networking Events:

In customized workshops the young artists learn a lot about the professional aspect of being an artist and the associated chances, obstacles and perspectives. The workshops are led by experienced professionals.

At Circus-Speed Dating contacts with producers, regisseurs and bookers can be made easily and during the panel discussion current topics in international circus and show business are discussed. In the lobby, at the bar, in the artist area, in the hotel and all over the city lots of contacts can be made during the festival, jobs are offered, ideas developed and so much more.

The National Circus- Convention 2018 and 2019:

Around 200 children and teenagers with previous circus experience had the opportunity to experience circus with professional artists for a whole day in 2018 and 2019. They were coached, trained and inspired – and all from the best!

Circus Camps during the Summer:

The “YOUNG STAGE Circus Camps”, which were held in 2020 and 2021, were created during the Corona Lockdown and if there are sufficient financial resources, they will be held again in 2023 or at the latest in 2024. For two weeks 400 children between the age of 7 and 14 are able to try out circus disciplines coached by professionals and at the end of the week there is a big show for parents, siblings and grandparents. We eat, fiddle, sing, rehearse and, above all, laugh a lot together!

YOUNG STAGE is a non profit organization, based in Basel, Switzerland Festival Director: Nadja Hauser