PHYSICAL THEATRE & CIRCUS WORKSHOP
Venue: Double Teaching Classroom, Drama Room, Studio, Theatre, Hall
Body. Balance. Breath. Story. A high-energy, hands-on exploration of physical storytelling and circus-inspired performance. This dynamic and experiential workshop seamlessly blends elements of theatre, clowning, and circus arts, offering students the opportunity to explore the expressive potential of the body across multiple theatrical styles — from Brecht and Shakespeare to Clowning, Physical Theatre, and Contemporary Devising.
Designed for Years 7–12, this workshop deepens understanding of ensemble performance, spatial awareness, and embodied storytelling — all through the joy of circus and the discipline of theatre.
Australian Curriculum Links
Target Years: 7–12
Workshop content supports outcomes in The Arts – Drama, Health & Physical Education, and General Capabilities.
The Arts – Drama
Years 7–10 | Strands:
Developing Understanding and Practices
➤ Students explore and apply expressive skills, movement, and spatial awareness in dramatic performance.
➤ They interpret and devise theatre using physical storytelling, ensemble work, and non-verbal communication.
(ACADRM043, ACADRM049)
Responding and Interpreting
➤ Analyse and reflect on how physical movement conveys meaning, emotions, and relationships in performance.
➤ Evaluate the use of stillness, gesture, tempo, and complicité.
(ACADRR046, ACADRR051)
Senior Secondary – Drama (Years 11–12):
Application of non-naturalistic performance styles (Physical Theatre, Clowning, Ensemble Movement)
Development of original devised theatre using physical stimuli, improvisation, and ensemble processes
Understanding and applying symbolic gesture, contrast, rhythm, and spatial awareness in performance
Health and Physical Education
Years 7–10 | Strand: Personal, Social and Community Health
Develop skills in teamwork, resilience, adaptability, and collaborative communication
➤ Foster emotional intelligence, trust, and mutual support through group physical work and partner balances
➤ Practice ethical decision-making and risk assessment in physical tasks
(ACPPS074, ACPPS091, ACPPS094)
Senior Secondary – Personal Development / HPE:
Explore the connection between physical expression and emotional wellbeing
Investigate risk-taking, resilience, and personal boundaries through physical play and improvisation
Build awareness of how the body can communicate thoughts, identity, and relationships
General Capabilities
Critical and Creative Thinking
Experiment with physical and emotional stimuli to generate original material
Reflect on how movement choices impact dramatic meaning
Apply creative problem-solving in devising and balancing exercises
Ethical Understanding
Navigate risk, trust, and interpersonal dynamics safely and respectfully
Explore the emotional impact of physical storytelling and character embodiment
Personal and Social Capability
Build initiative, empathy, confidence, and adaptability through ensemble exercises
Strengthen complicité, collaboration, and self-awareness
Develop resilience and regulation in response to creative challenge
Core Workshop Components & Experiences
Physical Performance: Strengthen the body as a tool for storytelling through dynamic exercises and expressive movement
Ensemble Building & Complicité: Trust, timing, and synchronicity in group performance
Rapid Creation: Fast-paced devising tasks to explore spontaneity and physical improvisation
Balance & Body Mechanics: Counterbalance, pyramids, group shapes, and spatial awareness
Text & Movement Integration: Generate movement from language, and explore physical responses to text
Dynamic Stillness: Learn to hold presence and emotion in the silence between movement
Stimulus-Based Creation: Use physical and emotional prompts to devise layered character work
Play & Risk: Safely explore boundaries, comedy, and vulnerability through physical play
Ensemble Work – building group cohesion and creative trust
Devised Theatre – generating performance from the body outwards
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, students will have:
A deeper understanding of the body as an expressive tool in theatre
Enhanced coordination, focus, and awareness of self and others
Practical tools to create physical and ensemble-driven performances
Experience in creative risk-taking, devising, and non-verbal storytelling
Strengthened confidence, empathy, resilience, and creative discipline
Workshop Adaptability
This workshop is tailored to the group’s experience and goals — from drama extension groups to physical education and wellbeing programs. It is perfect for:
Theatre students studying performance and devising
Circus/acrobatics programs looking to integrate narrative and story
HPE groups exploring teamwork and personal development
"Homunculus was fantastic to work with, as they planned these workshops based on my students prior knowledge and their own and the school's resources. They made each workshop engaging and the students thoroughly enjoyed working with them.★★★★★
- Redcliffe SHS, QLD
"The performers were absolutely excellent! Ability to read the audience and improvise was excellent. Focus and skill was amazing to watch and great content/meaning beyond just circus skill.★★★★★
- St Rita's College, QLD
"This act was a great culmination of content, mask and physical theatre skills. It wowed the students with the acrobatic tricks and fully engaged them in the action on the stage. The questions section involved very well formed and informative answers. A lovely experience. Thank you. 5 Stars!★★★★★
- The Total School Of Education, QLD
"Students in Years 9, 11, and 12 then had the privilege of workshopping many of the techniques and ideas explored in the performance, during a one-hour-long actor-led session. All such students have enthusiastically spoken of the workshop experience and how great it was to tackle team-building through a dramatic lens. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with professionals in the field and to gain inside knowledge of the workings of this genre of theatre.
Cannot wait to have you back again!★★★★★