At the end of 2014, four students from Ararat Primary School responded to the call from the National Institute of Circus Arts, for energetic, creative and imaginative physical performers between the ages of nine and 16 years, to audition for their Nica Sparks Performance Troupe.

Students, Grace, Daina, Callum and Charlotte were successful in their auditions and are now travelling to Melbourne each Saturday of the school term, to participate in the workshops.

The Nica Sparks Troupe is currently trained by clowning specialist and theatre maker/director Liz Skitch.

Liz has a unique approach to teaching clowning techniques. As a comedian and theatre maker, she is very imaginative, and draws on the techniques of her teachers (Phillippe Gaulier and John Wright) and has adapted their exercises to make them highly enjoyable and accessible.

Using her experience as a deviser of theatre, a writer of comedy and director, Liz helps participants to develop routines and find comic material on the floor. Fleshing out the relationship between the performer on stage and the audience, the students develop an understanding of the rules of comedy and how to apply them to live performance.

Each term's work will culminate in performances during the school holidays, the first as part of NICA's holiday program, the next two as part of community festivals in Melbourne, and the final performance as MCs to the NICA students' end of year performance.

Teacher Christine Fiscalini said the students have now attended three workshops and formed friendships and performance partnerships with the other participants.

"The workshops have been challenging, but have seen each student take risks and stretch their boundaries," Ms Fiscalini said.

"They are excited by their participation, and hope to work with other interested Ararat students through the development of a clowning group."