The Actors Gymnasium

What The Actors Gymnasium does

The Actors Gymnasium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit circus arts school based in Evanston, Illinois, founded in the mid-1990s. It operates three integrated program areas: Classes (recreational and pre-professional training across aerial, acrobatics, contortion, and fitness), Shows (in-house theatrical productions such as the holiday classic "Aloft" and the annual Circus Arts Workshop showcase), and Events (private and corporate entertainment bookings across Chicagoland and beyond). It serves a broad base of recreational students, aspiring professional circus and physical-theatre performers, and event clients seeking customized entertainment, and is recognized as one of the longest-running dedicated circus schools in the Chicago region.

The organization is led by Artistic Director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, a second-generation circus performer, and draws on senior faculty including Society of American Fight Directors Vice President Chuck Coyl and Mongolia's premier contortionist Oyuna. It runs a pre-professional ProTraining Program that has placed alumni with partners including Lookingglass Theatre and Northwestern University. Operations are supported by a small team (firmographic headcount band of 1–10), three physical studios (the third opened in February 2021), and a commodity technology stack comprising Sawyer for class registration and Stripe for payments.

The business model combines per-class tuition, ticketed show revenue, and private/corporate event fees, supplemented by donations typical of a 501(c)(3). COVID-19 forced a pivot in 2020 to online productions (e.g., "ISOLATED," May 2020) and Circus Learning Pods (September 2020), demonstrating operational flexibility. Recognition includes the 2019 Circus Ring of Fame induction and multiple Jeff Awards and Chicago Reader "Best of Chicago" honors for productions and ensemble work.

Name

The Actors Gymnasium

Legal name

The Actors Gymnasium

Website

https://actorsgymnasium.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Actors Gymnasium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit circus arts school in Evanston, Illinois, founded in the mid-1990s, offering classes, ticketed shows, and event entertainment to recreational students, aspiring performers, and corporate clients across the Chicago region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Circus & Physical Theatre (MPAGABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE), Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Circus, Magic & Variety Shows (THAJAFAH)

Keywords

• Circus arts training
• Aerial arts classes
• Youth circus education
• Stage combat instruction
• Professional circus program

Headquarters

HQ city

Evanston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Class Registration Fees: Weekly classes for adults and kids offered in 8-week terms. Registration via Sawyer platform with pro-rated rolling enrollment available.
2. Professional Training Program: Intensive professional circus training program with applications for Year 1 and Year 2 cohorts.
3. Ticket Sales for Productions: On-site productions and collaborations with other Chicago theaters generate ticket revenue.
4. Event Entertainment: Award-winning entertainment services for corporate and private events with booking via quote requests.
5. Camps and Workshops: Summer circus camps and custom workshops for groups.
6. Private Lessons: One-on-one instruction for advanced training.
7. Merchandise Sales: Online merchandise store via Threadless platform.
8. Donations and Sponsorships: 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepting donations. Tax ID: 36-4030275. Sponsors program available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Actors Gymnasium is Chicago's oldest circus school, providing weekly circus arts classes (aerial silks, trapeze, lyra, acrobatics, flexibility, stage combat, fitness) for adults, children, and aspiring professionals, alongside on-site theatrical circus productions and award-winning event entertainment services for corporate and private clients. Operations are organized across three program areas—Classes, Shows, and Events—at its Evanston, Illinois facility under the leadership of Artistic Director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi.

Product overview

The Actors Gymnasium is Chicago's oldest circus school offering a comprehensive portfolio of circus arts training and performance programs. The core offerings include weekly circus classes (Adult & Kids), Youth Circus, Summer Intensive, Custom Workshops, Private Lessons, and Circus Camps, all supported by financial aid programs. The organization operates a Professional Circus Training (ProTraining) Program for aspiring professional performers. Beyond training, the company produces original circus-theatre Shows & Productions and provides Event Entertainment services for corporate and private events. Supporting offerings include Open Gym sessions and First Flight introductory classes. The company functions as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Evanston, Illinois.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Circus Classes (Adult & Kids) Weekly circus arts classes for all ages and experience levels covering aerial silks, trapeze, lyra, flexibility, acrobatics, and additional disciplines, typically organized in four 8-week terms.
• Youth Circus Circus training programs designed specifically for children and teenagers to build strength, confidence, and physical skills.
• Summer Intensive A six-week immersive summer program for teens and adults designed to advance performing skills.
• Custom Workshops Custom interactive circus experiences tailored for groups and organizations.
• Private Lessons One-on-one circus instruction for personalized training at an advanced pace.
• Circus Camps Summer day camps for young performers offering circus arts training designed to build strength, stretch, and flex creative muscles.
• ProTraining (Professional Circus Training Program) Professional circus training program with application-based admission for individuals pursuing careers in circus arts, structured in Year 1 and Year 2 cohorts.
• Shows & Productions On-site circus theatre productions and collaborations with other leading Chicago theaters, including original circus-theatre works.
• Event Entertainment Award-winning circus entertainment for corporate functions, private events, and community gatherings throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond, booked via quote requests.
• First Flight Introductory taster classes priced at $15 per session, covering warm-ups, tumbling, ground skills, and aerial skills, with adult (ages 15+) and children's versions available.
• Acrobatics & Gymnastics Classes Tumbling, gymnastics, handstands, handbalancing, and partner acrobatics classes for all ages and skill levels.
• Stage Combat Classes SAFD-certified stage combat training covering broadsword, knife, quarterstaff, single sword, small sword, rapier & dagger, and unarmed combat with certification opportunities.
• Fitness Classes High-intensity interval training workouts incorporating circus equipment, including aerial fitness and circus fitness programs.
• Flexibility Classes Contortion and flexibility training classes focused on building strength and increasing mobility for all skill levels.
• Aerial & Silks Classes Aerial arts instruction including trapeze, lyra, Spanish web, aerial silks, and general aerial arts for all experience levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Building confidence that stays with students for life
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lookingglass Theatre CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration on productions including Moby Dick, Hard Times, Little Prince, Lookingglass Alice, and Magic Play. The Actors Gymnasium provides circus expertise and performers for Lookingglass productions, while benefiting from the theater company's resources and audiences. Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi is an ensemble member of Lookingglass Theatre.
• Noyes Cultural Arts CentercoreOthersHost venue for The Actors Gymnasium's operations. Located at 927 Noyes St. Suite 110, Evanston. The waiver releases liability against the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, indicating a landlord-tenant relationship.
• Evanston Arts CouncilminorOthersListed in liability waiver alongside City of Evanston, indicating arts community support and collaboration.
• City of EvanstonminorOthersMunicipal arts support. Mentioned in waiver and as source of recognition (Mayor's Arts Organization Award).
• Northwestern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration including Moby Dick adaptation for Northwestern symposium, hosting Seventh Annual Evanston MashUp, and educational partnerships.
• Sawyer (Class Registration Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationOnline registration and scheduling platform used for class enrollment, gift cards, and account management. Integrated into the website for all customer transactions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The National Circus School (Montreal): Canada's premier professional circus training institution offering multi-year professional programs; comparable as an established peer in formal, application-based professional circus education.
• SANCA (School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts): Seattle-based nonprofit circus school offering classes, camps, and performance programming for all ages and skill levels; directly comparable community-driven circus arts training model with similar youth/adult class structure and nonprofit revenue mix.
• Circus Smirkus: Vermont-based nonprofit youth circus education and touring troupe organization offering summer camps and performance training; highly comparable mission around youth circus skill development and original productions.
• CircEsteem: Chicago-based nonprofit using circus arts to empower youth, offering classes, performances, and outreach programs; directly comparable as a Chicago-area nonprofit peer with overlapping youth-focused circus training and productions.
• Esh Circus Arts: Indianapolis-based nonprofit circus school offering recreational and professional circus training; directly comparable mission and curriculum across aerial, acrobatics, and ground disciplines.
• New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA): Vermont-based circus training center offering recreational classes, professional training programs, and youth programming; closely comparable as a nonprofit offering multi-level instruction including a professional track.
• Aloft Circus Arts: Chicago-based circus arts training studio offering classes, workshops, and performance opportunities; directly comparable as a local competitor in the same metro market targeting adult and youth students.
• The Muse Brooklyn: Brooklyn-based circus training center offering classes, workshops, and performance programs for all levels; comparable as a community-driven circus school with broad class offerings and performance integration.

Broad incumbents

• Lookingglass Theatre Company: Major Chicago theater company and long-standing production partner; while a theater rather than a school, the deep collaboration including shared ensemble members makes it a relevant broad incumbent in the same Chicago performing-arts ecosystem.
• Cirque du Soleil: Global entertainment leader in circus arts productions; relevant broad incumbent shaping the consumer market for circus entertainment and indirectly setting the bar for the kind of work the Actors Gymnasium trains performers toward.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-actors-gymnasium

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Actors Gymnasium