With the use of his experience in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre, Benjamin strives to share a deeper understanding of these unique art forms.  In order to learn we need to take our previous assumptions of an art form and set them aside and approach the topics from a place of curiosity. Through historical, practical, and real-world applicable viewpoints, we can gain an appreciation and understanding.

But what specifically can one learn from Circus? In Juggling, students not only learn the classic skill of juggling three balls but they also learn a modern viewpoint of a juggler as an object manipulator: someone who connects and unlocks the potential within objects. By understanding Mime we understand our bodies. Not only the way we move, function, and express our thoughts non-verbally, but our deepest feelings which no words could express. By removing the stigma and stereotypical appearance of Clown through classic and modern Clown exercises, students explore the universal emotions humans share and explore the basic instinct of play we possess as life-long children. 

"As a group we will then utilize these practices to create meaningful characters and theatrical scenes. Corporeal Mime is a form of movement based upon human behavior as researched by Etienne Decroux, who is widely known as the Father of Modern Mime. Decroux likened the learning of Corporeal Mime to the Actor as one would liken Ballet to the Dancer: essential. Through Mime we learn to control our body and learn the universal body language to express our innermost soul. Students learn the ability to clearly communicate non-verbally."

Benjamin has been involved in several theatre and performance art organizations including the Minnesota Thespian Conference, Circus Juventas, Superior School of Dance, and the International Clown Festival. He has studied Corporeal Mime with the apprentices of Etienne Decroux, who is regarded as the father of modern mime, at Theatre de l’Ange Fou in Spring Green, WI. Clowning with Audrey Crabtree (NY, NY); Juggling with Jay Gilligan (Sweden) and Sean Blue (Iceland); Play with Jon Ferguson (Minneapolis, MN); Dance with Sylvia Schourek-Frazier (Hancock, MI), and Mask with Robert Rosen (Minneapolis, MN). He has also performed in the Orlando and Kansas City Fringe Festival, where he was awarded ‘Best of Fringe’ in Kansas City.  

Learn more about Benjamin in his January 2017 Artist Spotlight interview.

Sample Programs: Customizable To Site’s Needs

Virtual and Remote Programs

How To: Juggle!

In this video + One Live Session experience, students will receive access to a special juggling method/progression they can explore on their own time and terms. The class will then meet digitally live where Benjamin will provide One on One feedback for how to juggle.

Goals:

• Throw and catch balls in a juggling pattern.

• These patterns could be the 2 ball fountain, the three ball cascade, or object manipulation patterns.

Explore the ideas of rhythm and coordination:

• Throwing and catching in rhythm

• Throwing and catching using the body as a guide

Learn a bit of history

• Is juggling new?

• Where did juggling come from?

• Who were the jugglers of the past?

Supplies needed:

• Plastic Shopping Bags

• Balls of some variety (or substitution)

• Recording Device (for practice and review!)

How To: Balance and Object!

In this video + One Live Session experience, students will receive access to a special balance method/progression they can explore on their own time and terms. The class can will then meet digitally live where Benjamin will provide One on One feedback for how to balance an object.

Goals: Balance an object in various places. These places could be:

• Hands

• Shoulders

• Foot

• Face

• On Another Object

• Anywhere!

Explore the ideas of Body and Balance: How to coordinate spatial and body awareness

Learn a bit of history

• Where can we see balancing?

• Where has balancing been done historically?

• Modern day examples?

Supplies needed, any of the following:

• Broom

• Broom Handle

• Stick from outside

• A long dowel

• Cane

Residencies

Current Residencies can be combined and customized to fit curriculum needs

My Friends From The Circus

Benjamin visits your class and shares stories, videos, and pictures all about his friends from the circus. Students learn to balance peacock feathers, juggle scarves, clown around, and tell stories through mime! Classes for Kindergarteners run 30-minutes while 1st-5th run 50 minutes.

Juggling for P.E. and Movement

Connect your Physical Education curriculum with a focused week on The Art of Juggling. Throughout the week students will be led through warm-up routines, exercises, games, and techniques as they relate to juggling. Students will be introduced to the history of juggling games throughout physical education as well as modern examples of juggling masters. By the end of the week, a majority of students should be able to grasp the idea of three ball juggling. 99% of students are able to juggle two balls in one hand by the end of the week.

 Supplies: Benjamin will provide supplies for up to 15 students to juggling three balls/scarves each. If schools would like students (or school) to keep juggling supplies afterwards, they will need to be purchased. (Benjamin is available to discuss the best supplies to order for the best prices.) If there is a specific style of juggling which would like to be taught, Benjamin can consult on the best way to facilitate and supply that specific style. (Ex: Diabolo class.)

Curriculums to Pair With: Juggling is a solo-activity at first and would do well to break up curriculums of large team-athletics

Mime: Expression Through Movement

Mime is a historic discipline that teaches students body control and awareness. It is useful for teaching imagination, unselfishness and cooperation, disciplined self-expression, aesthetic sense, and inventiveness/dexterity. Throughout the week, students explore the ways the body moves as it connects to words, music, and thought. We create body pictures, create illusions, and explore story-telling through a collection of exercises, games, and exploration!

Supplies: Benjamin will provide specific supplies such as costumes, music, and scenarios. Schools will need to provide a sound system. Should school wish to provide students with a physical memory, consult with Benjamin on the use of theatre masks/costumes that could enhance the experience.

Curriculum to Pair With:

• English (Literature Expression)

• P.E. (Alternative to Dance Curriculum)

• Theatre (Scene Work)

• Music (Rhythm and Expression)

Modern Clown

The only cliché idea we will explore is the red nose! A clown is not a costume or face paint as we will learn in this highly playful and ridiculous week. We will engage in moments of intense play followed by introspection and emotional revelations. The week begins with a deconstruction of the stereotyped clown. We catapult into the games and exercises utilized by theatre professionals all around the world to unlock our inner ability to play. (The ability we all engaged in as children.) We move on to the construction of a clown scene and finish the week by presenting our newly crafted clown abilities with the class.

 We will utilize any means necessary to get a laugh, a smile, a gasp, a reaction. Our main goal will be to create a lasting impression of good feelings on our audience. New clowns will walk away feeling invulnerable!

Supplies: Benjamin will provide all necessary supplies. If school would like students to keep or receive items (i.e. the ever essential clown nose,) schools must consult with Benjamin for proper type of nose. (Yes! There are proper clown noses!)

Curriculum to Pair With:

• Sociology/Psychology (Discuss Human reactions/connections)

• Theatre  (Character Building)

• Speech (Presence)

Workshops

An Introduction to PLAY

Come learn how kids play in the circus, in the theatre, and all across the world! Participants will unleash their inner clown through playing games designed to make you laugh so hard, milk will come shooting out your nose! (Note: B.Y.O.M. [bring your own milk]) This workshop is good for anyone with energy to spare and for those that have always wanted to be silly and carefree but just haven’t had the chance.

Equipment/Space Needs - Mirrors would be great! *Do not bring your own milk.

Performances

Juggling: A Not-So-Brief Introduction

A unique 45 -minute presentation covering juggling history, technique, fun facts, interactive demonstrations, and a question/answer session. Suitable for the whole school. Benjamin, Editor of ‘Modern Vaudeville Press’’ new book titled ‘Juggling: What it is and How to Do it,’ brings his expertise and knowledge and shares education through entertainment.

Requirements:

• A stage, lecture hall, or suitable speaking auditorium. (Gyms are approved on a case by case basis.)

• Sound system (able to bring speakers if necessary)

• Power supplies

• Ability to connect laptop to sound system (MacBook Pro)

• Projector/Projector Screen (Able to provide if necessary)

Juggler’s Suitcase

Join Benjamin in this interactive 30-minute juggling show which is sure to make you laugh-out-loud! Anything can happen including balls being tossed, plates being spun, and swords being balanced precariously on Benjamin’s own forehead. One audience member described that show as “YAY JUGGLING 5/5!” Witness the riveting spectacle that is Juggler’s Suitcase for yourself!

Requirements:

• A stage, lecture hall, or suitable speaking auditorium. (Gyms are approved on a case by case basis.)

• Sound system

• Power supplies

• Ability to connect laptop (MacBook Pro)

Circus Cyclopedia

Here we have the world’s first Circus Cyclopedia! Minnesota circus performer Benjamin Domask-Ruh (COMPAS), the Master of Modern Vaudeville Thom Wall (Cirque du Soleil), and the award-winning Chair Extraordinaire Sarah Baker (Circus Juventas) have gotten together to bring audiences a well-informed and engaging show dealing with the intricacies of Circus, from juggling to acrobatics to experiments and more. But, Circus is BIG.... and they only have one hour!

 NOTE:  Please allow sufficient time for scheduling of these three amazing performers.

 Requirements

•  A stage, lecture hall, or suitable performance space. (Gyms are approved on a case by case basis.)

•  Sound system (able to bring speakers if necessary)

•  Power supplies

•  Ability to connect laptop to sound system (MacBook Pro)

 Yellow Apple Circus

 Yellow Apple Circus (YAC) was created by Benjamin Domask-Ruh and Sarah Baker in the summer of 2021. One day, Benjamin asked Sarah, “Hey! Want to make a show!?” Sarah said “Heck yes!”

So, they went and bought a cactus.

This delightful duo has brought their exciting live performance of juggling, acrobatics, feats of strength, and physical comedy most recently to the 2021 Minnesota State Fair by special request!

YAC is sweet, comical, refreshing, and fun. Guaranteed to hit the spot and leave you smiling – just like a real apple! But, with more circus.

 Requirements

•  A stage, lecture hall, or suitable performance space. (Gyms are approved on a case by case basis.)

• Sound system (able to bring speakers if necessary)

• Power supplies

• Ability to connect laptop to sound system (MacBook Pro)