Acrobalance

Stichting Stapel provides partner acrobatics. In contrast with aerial acrobatics, the moves are built up from the ground: human structures in balance. It’s not just the end position that counts – getting up and down is just as exciting.

It’s amazing to watch but even more fun to do yourself. The possibilities are almost endless; think about all body parts you can use to balance on each another – hands, feet, shoulders, knees, head!

Acrobatics stands or falls by co-operation. There are basic shapes which require all the principles of acrobatics. Balancing, climbing, jumping, throwing, catching – exploring together how to utilise the position and momentum of each other in order to minimise the amount of strength needed. Trust and safety are always at the forefront.

You work with contrasts: tensing – relaxing, travelling – breaking, moving – standing still. You develop body control whereby co-ordination, concentration and understanding are of great importance.
You develop a technique to carry lighter, fly higher and land with greater control.

In the acrobatics lessons we work on your sense of balance, (directed) strength and body consciousness. You develop these as you go along, so you don’t need to be especially strong, agile or trained to begin doing acrobatics.

Lessons are given by two instructors – one for the ‘under’ and one for the ‘upper’ position: the base and the flyer.

About stichting Stapel

In 1991 Stichting Stapel (Stapel Foundation) was set up by set up by two enthusiastic acrobats who loved teaching and playing with acrobatics.
Stapel wants to stimulate partner acrobatics in all its forms.

Acrobatics lessons form the dynamic core of Stapel.
Participants from the age of 16 can grow from absolute beginner to highly experienced acrobat.
Every spring we put on a festive presentation evening so all participants can show their acrobatic skills.

Stapel has produced the acrobatics shows ‘Licht & Romig’ (Light & Creamy) and ‘De Sterren van de Hemel’ (Stars of Heaven).
The children’s shows ‘Schik met Schrik’ (Fun with Fear) en ‘Rare Haren’ (Crazy Hair) have played for years across the whole country.

Stapel offers advice and coaching for acrobatics shows.
On request, Stapel can set up acrobatic projects for (high) schools and training courses, various companies and organisations, for festivals and parties.

The foundation has cooperated in the development of a curriculum for acrobatics education and acrobatic teaching methods. The foundation also contributes to the Dutch umbrella organisation for acrobatics, Stichting NAF (NAF foundation).

Stapel is the source of information and advice for partner acrobatics in Amsterdam and the surrounding areas.

Course presentations

Acro balance is not only fun to do, but also exiting to watch. In the spring course we use a few lessons to create short acrobatics shows.
These shows are presented to the audience (friends, family, …).

Subsequently there is a buffet with home made dishes by the participants and room for chatting and enjoying a cheerful evening.

The presentation evening 2024 was on Friday May 31st.

Courses
Acrobalance

on the basis of building, balance and momentum

Teachers:

Det & Cahit/Roos/Marco (Monday lessons)
Variable guest teachers (Tuesday lessons)

The advanced lessons on the Tuesday evening are thematic, and are given in blocks of 4-5 lessons, each block with a different guest teacher.

During the spring course a course presentation is given in which the participants showcase their acrobatic achievements to the public, all wrapped up in a theatrical theme.

Trial Lesson

Anyone who is curious about or interested in doing acrobatics at Stapel can come for a trial lesson.
The best opportunity is the first lesson at the beginning of a new course. This trial lesson is free and if you like you can immediately continue with the full course.
You can also come for a test run on another night, but then it costs € 15 / € 18 (very advanced group).

After the trial lesson you can of course decide straight away if you want to join, or you can think about it for a couple of days. But by the next lesson Stapel would like to know your decision.
If you decide to join the course, the payment for your trial lesson will be deducted from the course fee.

Are you interested? Call or e-mail Det: +31 6 30 63 88 17 or info@stichtingstapel.nl, or fill out this form:

Course Schedule

Monday (location CW Boost)
19.00 – 20.30 basic group 1 *
20.45 – 22.15 intermediate

Tuesday (location CW Boost)
19.00 – 20.30 advanced
20.45 – 22.30 very advanced

Wednesday (location De Zeeheld)
18.15 – 19.45 basic group 2 *

* The course content is the same for both basic groups

Locations

Prices

Rules

By participating in Stichting Stapel classes, participants agree to the following rules:

Newcomers can follow a trial lesson, in the first week of a course this is for free; after thats it costs €15 (€ 18 for very advanced).
Within a week after this class the newcomer decides whether he/she wants to join the course.

Participants register for a complete course. Aside from the trial lesson it is not possible to participate per class, apart from exceptional cases and incidentally when the participant lives abroad and at the discretion of Stichting Stapel.

An ‘old’ course member reports no later than in the first week of the upcoming course if he/she doesn’t want to continue the classes; otherwise Stichting Stapel supposes he/she will join in the new course.

For the very advanced classes it’s only possible to subscribe with a partner, in consultation with the main teacher.

A course member must pay the course fee in the week he/she starts the course. Good reasons for paying in instalments can be discussed.

A reduction of 40% for the 2nd course is given, for participants taking part in two courses in the same period.

Course fees are not reimbursed. This applies, irrespective of the reason for stopping participation (illness, injury, pregnancy, moving house, etc.)

Classes missed can be compensated in a lower group during the ongoing course or the next course, provided course fees have been paid. Unfortunately compensation is not possible for the basic group as there is no lower or parallel course.

Video recordings and/or photography of (parts of) classes are not allowed, except of the participant him/herself and their partner(s) if clearly agreed upon.

Participation in the courses of Stichting Stapel is at one’s own risk.

Special workshops

In addition to the regular Monday and Tuesday acrobatics classes, Det Rijven also gives special workshops with one of the regular guest teachers.

These are workshops for companies and organizations that want to get acquainted with partner acrobatics, often to relate to colleagues with a different approach. These workshops are about skills such as trust and cooperation, but also about challenges and crossing boundaries. The workshops are developed in consultation with the client.

Teachers Training Partner-Acrobatics

The teachers trainings, taught twice by Det Rijven & Jim Klinkhamer, will not be organized anymore.

Workshops

Workshops 2020 / 2021
– due to Corona regulations, all workshops have been cancelled

Workshops 2019
– March: workshop Wenen (Au) > Det & Jim
– April: Paasacroyoga Someren (NL) > Det & Jim
– May: Akrobatikfestival Frankfurt 2019 (D) > Det & Jim
– May: Acroyoga Sur Festival Andalucia (ES) > Det & Jim
– June: Nederlands Acrobatiekfestival (NL) > Det, Jim, Marco, Roos
– July: French Acrobatic Convention (F) > Det & Jim
– Aug: Fourth Austrian Acrobatics Convention (AT) > Det & Jim

Workshops 2018
– Februari: Akrobatiktreffen Kiel (D) > Det & Jim
– April: North Africa Camp-Out Marrakesh (M) > Det & Jim
– April: Akrobatikfestival Frankfurt 2018 (D) > Det & Jim
– May: workshop with Duo Die Amsterdam (NL) > Det & Jim
– May: Nederlands Acrobatiekfestival (NL) > Det, Jim, Marco, Jos
– July: Sun, Sea & Waterfall Acro Festival (HR) > Det & Jim
– Aug: Third Austrian Acrobatics Convention (AT) > Det & Jim
– Dec: Acrobatic New Year (NL) > Det & Jim

Teachers

Det Rijven is Stichting Stapel’s regular trainer. Together with Cahit Metin and Roos de Groen, she teaches the beginners and intermediate groups, every now and then assisted by Marco van Zanten as guest teacher.
The advanced and very advanced groups are taught in blocks of 4-5 weeks, each block with different (guest) trainers: Marco van Zanten, Marieke Drent, Tobias Bader, Wilko Schultz & Marieke Thijssen, Ed Schulte & Jorga Lok, Zinzi Oegema & Evertjan Mercier en Froukje de Klein & Nick Vos. All of whom have been active in acrobatics for several years and have been trained in the school of ex-circus performers the Como Brothers and Osmani’s, or had a circus education in The Netherlands or abroad.

Det

… is co-founder of Stapel. Det has a background in modern dance and has played in childrens’ performances for many years. She has been teaching acrobatics to amateurs and at the Theaterschool Amsterdam since 1987; she performed with acrobatics groups ‘Aiuto’, ‘De Sterren van de Hemel’, ‘Licht & Romig’ and ’16 Feet’. At the moment she’s performing in Glorious Bodies by Piet van Dycke.

Cahit

… started as a child with Circus Elleboog. In 2009 he was co-founder of TENT circus theatre productions. He works there as performing artist and has many other roles.
www.tent.eu

Roos

… started doing acrobatics when she was 15, and never stopped. She is one half of the duo ‘Roos en Lokke partner-acrobatiek’ and has years of experience teaching in the Netherlands and abroad.
facebook.com/roosenlokkepartneracrobatiek

Alfonso

… is a psychologist converted into Acro-monkey, passionate and curious. Specialized in Icarian work and standing acrobatics. Teaches with many teachers in Europe, including Alberto with whom he also performs. Is organizer and main teacher of Dynamic Acro Program and The Icarian Convention. Humor, challenge and technology are pillars of his teaching practice.

Ed

… started doing circus and acrobatics when he was 10, and teach for some years at Poehaa in Arnhem. Together with Jorga he forms Circustheater Fabuloka.
He is part of music-acrobatics trio Tres Loco’s. Ed is also a metal freak (as in welding): he makes decors, but also handstand bars.
www.fabuloka.com, www.treslocos.eu, www.ateliermadebyed.nl

Froukje

… has been doing acrobatics since she was a little girl. This passion grew into a way of life. She previously worked as a Cesar exercise therapist, which gave her insight into motor skills and movement analysis. Now she enjoys teaching and performing as a street acrobat. She also enjoys slacklining over high ravines.

Jorga

… graduaded from circusschool DOCH in Sweden in 2010. She performs in various theatreshows and at outdoor festivals, mainly with her own company Fabuloka (with Ed Schulte).
www.fabuloka.com

Marco

… is co-founder of and performer in ‘Circus Klomp’ and ‘Cycling Circus’ and the brain behind ‘Dutch Acrobats’. He develops and coaches short acrobatics courses and circus theatre projects. He has been trained for teaching at the Brussels circus school.
www.circusklomp.nl, www.cyclingcircus.nl, www.dutchacrobats.com

Marieke

… is acrobat and clown. She performs in duo VanPlan, trio The Crowd, Clownsperspectief and in Circus Klomp. Besides that she works as prevention trainer in youth health care.
www.the-crowd.nl, www.clownsperspectief.nl

Nick

… started with acrobatics as a little boy; his mother was an acro-gym teacher. He did the ALO training to become a gym teacher. After that he discovered the circus world. He enjoys people who discover their bodies through circus in a playful way. Every day he explores life upside down. Nick also performs with acrobatics and in fire shows.

Tobias

… is not only acrobat but also architect and musician. He performs in the music-acrobatics-juggling-trio Tres Loco’s. He concentrates on dynamic elements as used in Rock ‘n Roll and Lindy Hop, but is also fond of an old-fashioned steady handstand.
www.treslocos.eu, www.tobiasbader.nl

Wilko and Marieke

Marieke …. is part of the acrobatic trio Tête-bêche where she is performing as a flyer nationally and internationally in different circus and theater companies. She graduated from Codarts Circus Arts in 2016 and has experience in teaching acrobatics to children and adults since 2006.
Wilko …. is originally from Germany and graduated from Codarts Circus Arts in The Netherlands in 2017. Has been teaching in youth circus, circus camps and acrobatic conventions since 2004. Over the past years he has been performing internationally with Trio Tête-bêche.
www.tete-beche.nl

Zinzi & Evertjan

… have been working together since 2010. Their act View has been awarded at several festivals, including Cirque de Demain. Based on spectacular partner acrobatics, they investigate relationships and emotions between 2 people and continue to develop their unique acrobatic movement language. They were part of Compagnie XY, Les 7 doigts de la main and their own collective Common Ground.
www.zinzi-evertjan.com

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