Rainbow Circus

Queer and Trans centered circus spaces with a focus on social circus programming.

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Who are we?

Rainbow circus came out of our passion for creating inclusive and affirming movement spaces that celebrated and witnessed people in their identities. While circus can be an incredibly inclusive and supporting space, we wanted a dedicated place for people, especially those less comfortable in movement spaces, to feel safe, seen, and celebrated as their authentic selves.

Central to our work are the values of dignity, creativity, and inclusivity.

We work to find ways to reduce barriers to accessing circus, while focusing on offering inclusive programming that promotes connection through creativity and is delivered with dignity.

We’re human first, which means all of our programming is offered with sustainability in mind. We pour from a full cup, taking care as needed. All of our program staff and coaches are paid a fair living wage, and we work to offer training and mentorship opportunities. We focus on hiring folks from marginalized and underrepresented communities, not for diversity stickers, but because we love them as humans and value the knowledge they bring to the room. We’re here to do the best we can while being accountable and responsible to learn from the mistakes we’ll inevitably make. Let there be glitter!

The humans behind the curtain

Jayeden Walker (she/her) – Program Coordinator (aka rainbow maker)

Image description: A photo of Jayeden, a young white femme, leaning against a painted black fence. She has two braids in her sandy blonde hair, wears a pink crop top with the words “compassion squad”, and striped blue and white shorts. She looks playfully off to the side, a smile on her lips, a sparkly rhinestone stuck on each cheek. Around her neck a rainbow bandanna is loosely tied. 

Image description: A photo of Jayeden, a young white femme, leaning against a painted black fence. She has two braids in her sandy blonde hair, wears a pink crop top with the words “compassion squad”, and striped blue and white shorts. She looks playfully off to the side, a smile on her lips, a sparkly rhinestone stuck on each cheek. Around her neck a rainbow bandanna is loosely tied. 

Jayeden Walker is a queer, neurodivergent circus artist with a specialty in aerial arts. She lives, plays, and creates in Toronto where she runs recreational circus programming from a trauma-informed, Queer and Disability centered perspective. She has been coaching circus for over a decade, and is also a professional circus artist and performer. When she’s not performing and creating, Jayeden works to promote inclusive, justice-focused arts and movement by serving on the board of directors for Reason d’etre dance productions and Hercinia Arts. She is currently working towards a diploma in Dance movement therapy. 

Cameron Chapnick (they/them) -Assistant Coach & Social Media (aka resident unicorn)

A picture of Cameron, a white, Nonbinary person against an old door smiling. They have pink and blue hair. (Although it changes often!)

Image Description: A picture of Cameron, a white, non-binary person against an old door smiling. They have pink and blue hair. (Although it changes often!)

Cameron Chapnick (They/them) is a queer nonbinary circus artist and circus coach from Toronto, Ontario. Cameron focuses on an accessible, safer space for learning movement and promotes self-exploration. After doing circus for a year and a half they started the journey to learn how to coach, they now coach social circus as well as children’s circus classes.

Iridescent Youth Circus!

(Program now commenced)

Page 1: Squiggly rainbow lines in the background. A logo of a rainbow that looks like a circus tent. On top flies a progress pride flag, with a rainbow of colours including black and brown as well as pink, blue, and white for the trans flag. Text reads: Rainbow Circus Presents: Iridescent Youth Circus. A free circus camp for Queer and Trans youth. 2-week program. For youth ages 13-19.August 15th - August 26th 12-5pm. Monday to Friday. The Redwood Theatre 1300 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON. www.vernalwisdom.ca/IYC. All bodies, minds, disabilities, and neurotypes are welcomed and celebrated in our programming. With generous support from: and the logos for the Toronto Arts Council, ArtReach and, The Redwood.

Iridescent Youth Circus is a two-week program for LGBTQ2S+ youth ages 12-15.  Focusing on empowerment, self-expression, and artistic creation.

Throughout the fifty-hour immersive circus experience, participants will learn both aerial circus and ground arts from a variety of coaches connecting them to Queer and Trans circus artists within the local community. The second week of the program will give youth the opportunity to hone their creativity through a series of workshops on act development and the creation of their own circus piece. The program will culminate with the professional recording and online presentation of a circus show.

Our specific goal is to support folks who may not feel as welcomed in traditional movement spaces. This includes queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming people, those experiencing mental illness, neurodivergent people, racialized folks, people with disabilities, and youth of all body sizes. This program will be free to participants.

How to apply?

You can do that here!

Questions?

Send us an email: rainbowcirque@gmail.com or find us on Instagram

Full program details here!