The Actors Gymnasium
Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St, Suite 110, Evanston, IL 60201
About
The Actors Gymnasium offers circus arts and performance skills through adult and kids classes, summer circus camps, a Summer Circus Intensive, and a Professional Training Program. The program also creates event entertainment in addition to its training options.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Six-week programs for teens and adults
Founded in 1995, The Actors Gymnasium has called the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston home for over 25 years. It is described as Chicago’s oldest circus school and one of the nation’s premiere circus and performing arts training centers. Its summer circus camps are described as the most popular program for kids, and no experience is necessary for classes and summer camps. Weekly classes for students of all ages and experience levels reach over 1,000 students per year, and summer and winter camps engage over 200 youth. The Professional Training Program and Summer Circus Intensive serve artists from across the United States and beyond. The organization produces nine original circus-theatre productions per year, including an annual Winter Circus that features professional circus artists alongside young performers. Its event entertainment is described as award-winning and awe-inspiring.
The Actors Gymnasium states that its mission is to expand human and theatrical potential through circus arts by pushing the limits of physical, emotional, and creative expression, and it names creativity, community, and courage as core values. Its community involvement includes collaborations with other leading Chicago theaters, from local storefronts to major regional companies such as Lookingglass Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Chicago Children’s Theatre. Its programming reaches students and audiences across the Chicagoland area and beyond, and its events range from private weddings to major public parades. One audience member shared that every performance or class they have witnessed “lights me up and jump starts my imagination and drive” and thanked the organization “for flying lessons.”
Last updated January 9, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Six-week programs for teens and adults
Founded in 1995, The Actors Gymnasium has called the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston home for over 25 years. It is described as Chicago’s oldest circus school and one of the nation’s premiere circus and performing arts training centers. Its summer circus camps are described as the most popular program for kids, and no experience is necessary for classes and summer camps. Weekly classes for students of all ages and experience levels reach over 1,000 students per year, and summer and winter camps engage over 200 youth. The Professional Training Program and Summer Circus Intensive serve artists from across the United States and beyond. The organization produces nine original circus-theatre productions per year, including an annual Winter Circus that features professional circus artists alongside young performers. Its event entertainment is described as award-winning and awe-inspiring.
The Actors Gymnasium states that its mission is to expand human and theatrical potential through circus arts by pushing the limits of physical, emotional, and creative expression, and it names creativity, community, and courage as core values. Its community involvement includes collaborations with other leading Chicago theaters, from local storefronts to major regional companies such as Lookingglass Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Chicago Children’s Theatre. Its programming reaches students and audiences across the Chicagoland area and beyond, and its events range from private weddings to major public parades. One audience member shared that every performance or class they have witnessed “lights me up and jump starts my imagination and drive” and thanked the organization “for flying lessons.”
Last updated January 9, 2026.
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