Milford Central School is turning into a circus.

The gymnasium is filled with stiltwalkers, jugglers and acrobats. Feathers are being balanced on the tips of noses. Plate spinners are refining the art of balance in motion.

Ros Devlin and Josh Gillis, fifth graders, tapped across the gym floor on stilts.

"We've been doing this since day one," Devlin said authoritatively, referring to Monday, when both boys decided that the stilts were for them.

"I can walk backwards, baby, uh-huh!" said Gillis.

On Monday morning, Yang Xiaodi of China and Martin Dare of England arrived in Milford, representing the National Circus Project. In lieu of regular physical education classes, students in grades kindergarten through four received workshops in circus skills. Fifth and sixth graders have been evolving daily with the performers, and on Friday night will perform "The Greatest Show In Schools."

On Tuesday, the entire mood of the school was conducive to their work. Teachers in costume drifted past the gym, peeking in at the progress of the performers. In the cafeteria, lit by the amber glow of jack o'lanterns, grim reapers served up hot dogs.

Brenna Campbell and Katie Yerdon practiced cartwheels as Andrea Fournier juggled glittery scarves. Mike Gaynor, trying his hand at the tricky diablo, said, "I kept messing up but then I found out I was good at it."

Morgan Dutcher said that she took gymnastics "when she was little," and this was her chance to use what she'd learned.

"We're working together to learn balance," she said, referring to a pyramid formation from which she'd just fallen when a shift caused her to tumble. "We have to keep our legs straight and be strong."

Dare said that the circus workshops, culminating in performance, have a tendency to break down established cliques among the students.

"They find themselves working together," he said. "We can't have groups of friends all working on one aspect of this. They may not all be good stiltwalkers, but one will be and another will be good at something else."

Which is how Rebecca Williams discovered juggling.

"I knew I couldn't do anything else," Williams said, "so I came and tried this and I can do it. I'm still learning, but I can do it."

After an introductory run on Monday, students were asked on Tuesday to decide what role they wanted to play in the circus. The choices were: devil sticks, juggling, diablo, plate spinning, shooting stars, acrobats, stilts, feathers, and balance board.

When Dare came from England, it was to observe the National Circus Project for a theatre company in England. He was part of a juggling club and his theatrical background lent itself perfectly to the National Circus Project. When Dare was offered a job touring with the Long Island-based company, he took it.

"Garish birthday clowns and freak shows have altered the American perspective on the circus," Dare said. "In eastern Europe, you can go to the circus every night. It's fine art, like opera, and we're trying to teach that to children."

Yang has been in the United States for seven years, touring with the National Circus Project.

On Wednesday, students will be extending their skills. On Thursday, the act will be choreographed by Yang and Dare. Friday afternoon, students will rehearse for the big performance at 7:00 that evening. There will be refreshments, balloons, and a small admission fee.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit PTO Programs and the Booster Club.