The Valley Glen-based organization has partnered with Northridge Hospital Medical Center to bring themed plays to schools around Los Angeles. Actors and writers who work with the organization perform short plays about everything from childhood obesity to teen sexuality.

"Theater and performance should be part of the solution to the educational problem in Southern California," said Abraham Tetenbaum, who founded Enrichment Works in 1999 and is its executive director. "I thought, `Let's use what we know to improve the educational opportunities of our children."'

"Life is a Circus" is shorter than the standard semester-long programs. And students who signed up for the program from Pacoima, Sepulveda and Van Nuys middle schools are bused to the campus and eat breakfast together before starting their sessions.

"This is different from our normal curriculum, but it still touches on self-esteem topics that are connected to our program," said Martha Zuniga, 37, program manager at Northridge Hospital, who was joining the kids in a recent tightrope-walking exercise. "This keeps kids busy and not involved in risky behaviors."

Patrick Hogg, 24, a health educator at Northridge Hospital, said it is interesting to see how the students overcome their fears and embrace their new skills.

"The kids came in nervous because this is not something they are used to, but then they started to get the hang of it," said Hogg, who was dancing salsa while balancing a plate on a stick.

"They indulge in it, and you see their faces light up,"

Crisanto Carrillo, 15, of Van Nuys, said he's having fun during "Life is a Circus," and is also building new friendships.

"`Life is a Circus' is like having a second family," he said.