Circ-Exchange-Week 2026
Mit Caro Wuttke & Luisa Schmitz
| Date: | We 28.10.2026 |
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Location: | Zirkusquartier |
| Price: | Gratis |
| Duration: | 5 days |
Registration by email:
circ-exchange@zirkusquartier.ch
Circ-Exchange Week brings together emerging artists from the fields of circus and physical theater for five days at the Zirkusquartier. The week provides a space for practical research, workshops, and exchange. On November 1, the artists will share the results of the week with the audience in a work-in-progress presentation.
This year, the Zirkusquartier is hosting Circ-Exchange Week for the third time: for five days, emerging artists from the fields of circus and physical theater can conduct research, exchange ideas, and network at the Zirkusquartier. The goal of the week is to share different working methods, impart knowledge about fair practices, and create opportunities for interaction with the Swiss circus scene and the Zirkusquartier.
Circ-Exchange Week is led and hosted by Luisa Schmitz, a physical theater performer, and Caro Wuttke, a circus artist. They will structure the days in consultation with the participants, lead workshops and provide input, coordinate research and exchange sessions, and contribute their expertise in fair practice . The Zirkusquartier provides facilities, lodging, and meals for all participants. Travel expenses cannot be covered.
Program
Wednesday, Oct. 28 – Sunday, Nov. 1
(Arrival on Oct. 27 and departure on Nov. 2 are possible)
- Praxis
One focus of the week will be on practical work and research. There will be joint warm-ups, workshops, and input sessions. There will also be time to work on participants’ own projects or on projects and ideas that emerge during the week.
The week will conclude on Sunday, November 1, with a public Work-in-Progress Sharing, where excerpts from the participants’ work and insights gained throughout the week will be shared with the audience.
- Exchange
The week offers space for exchanging ideas on working methods, experiences, and pressing issues. Practical tools from the field of Fair Practice, such as communication culture, feedback methods, and reflection on power dynamics, will also be shared and applied in a collaborative dialogue.
- Production
On Friday, October 30th, the Production Café will take place in the Zirkusquartier with an expert from artFAQ (a production platform in Zurich), offering advice and assistance with all production-related questions. Participants of the week can attend the Production Café with their production-related questions as needed.
Application
To apply, we need a short letter of motivation explaining why you want to participate in Circ-Exchange Week and which topics you’re particularly interested in right now (approx. 1/2 A4 page), a description of the project you’d like to work on, including technical requirements (approx. 1/2 A4 page), and a CV, to be submitted by September 30 as a PDF tocirc-exchange@zirkusquartier.ch
Criteria:
- You have recently completed or started training to work in the field of circus and/or physical theater, and would like to get to know the Swiss circus scene or the Zirkusquartier (no more than 5 years ago; formal training is not required)
- Do you have a project or research topic you’d like to work on?
- You have time from October 28 to November 1, 2026 (arrival and rigging on October 27 and departure on November 2 are possible)
- You have a basic knowledge of English
Selection is based on the participants’ motivation and diversity in terms of the types of projects, disciplines, and topics. We especially encourage people from marginalized communities (BIPOC, FLINTAQ+, neurodivergent, etc.) to apply.
Application deadline: September 30
Workshop-leadership
Caro Wuttke
Caro Wuttke is a circus artist and performer. She studied “Literature, Art, and Media” at the University of Konstanz, as well as “Contemporary Circus” at Cirko Vertigo and at the Flic Scuola di Circo, where she specialized in aerial silk. She then participated in the two-year “Labo de Investigación Aérea y Escénica” under the direction of Cata Aguayo. Since 2021, she has been working on solo projects as well as with the Compagnie Bruta Bruja and the Less Kuerdas collective in the independent arts scene, performing on different stages. In addition, she is involved as a performer in various projects. Since 2024, Caro has been working at the Zirkusquartier Zürich as co-curator and host of the “Circ-Exchange” program. She also works as an instructor and leads workshops.
Luisa Schmitz
Luisa Schmitz was born in Zurich and works as a dancer, choreographer, coach, and dance teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in stage dance and choreography from Fontys Hoogeschool voor de Kunsten in Tilburg (NL). She spent two years touring as a performer with Zirkus Chnopf and has been teaching children and teenagers circus arts and movement ever since. She teaches children the art of the circus in an encouraging and motivating way. When she’s not teaching, she tours Europe with her own clown duo or takes walks with her dog through the forests of Zurich.
Workshop information
- Registration is binding.
- Circ-Exchange Week is free. Travel expenses cannot be covered.
- Insurance is the responsibility of the participants.
- Participants must follow the house rules of the Zirkusquartier. Instructions from the ZQ team and course instructors must be followed.
- The Zirkusquartier opposes all forms of discrimination. To ensure that everyone feels comfortable in the Zirkusquartier, we want you to be conscious and respectful. You can find more information about awareness here.