Nearing the end of just 1 part of the journey. . .

So things have slowed down here in Montreal and I am now just tying up all the ends to head back to Vegas on Wednesday morning.  I did my final makeup today, and got a bravo, and handed my kit and sent on my way.  Tomorrow I just need to pack up - get a couple more souvenirs (I cleared up shop at the gift shop since we get a 40% discount) - and attend my departure meeting.  I report to the theatre in Las Vegas already on Thursday morning for orientation.

Today a few more people arrived in Montreal to join LOVE.  Three dancers, from all over the world again.  They are very nice and it is cool to know that I am not going to be the only new person in the large daunting cast of 70.  Alina cooked us dinner this evening and we all sat around chatting about the show, and our past work, and our different countries.  We alone were representing USA, Cuba, Germany, and Sweden.  It is very cool to hear about their experiences and journeys to the cirque and next to America.  They will be here for another couple weeks so I will be seeing them again later in May.  

Did You Know?

Some interesting did you knows about Cirque Du Soleil and how big the company is:

In 1984, 73 people worked for Cirque du Soleil. Today, the business has more than 4,000 employees worldwide, including more than 1,000 artists. 

 

• At the Montreal International Headquarters alone, there are close to 1,800 employees. 

 

• The average age of employees is 35. 

 

• Cirque’s employees and artists represent over 40 nationalities and speak 25 different languages. 

 

• Since 1984, Cirque du Soleil’s touring shows have visited over 200 cities around the world. 

 

• Close to 90 million spectators have seen a Cirque du Soleil show since 1984. 

 

• More than 15 million people will have seen a Cirque du Soleil show in 2009. 

 

• Cirque du Soleil hasn’t received any grants from the public or private sectors since 1992. 

Cirque du Soleil Shows 

In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present nineteen different shows around the world : 

Touring shows 

• Varekai (Europe) 

• Dralion (Asia -Pacific) 

• Quidam (Europe) 

• Alegría (Asia and Middle East until April 2009)  

• Corteo (Japan) 

• KOOZA (North America) 

• Cirque 2009 (North America) 

 

Arena shows 

• Saltimbanco (North America) 

• Alegría (North America starting in May 2009) 

 

Resident shows 

• “O” (Las Vegas, Nevada) 

• Mystère (Las Vegas, Nevada) 

• ZUMANITY- The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil (Las Vegas, Nevada) 

• La Nouba (Orlando, Florida) 

• KÀ (Las Vegas, Nevada) 

• LOVE (Las Vegas, Nevada) 

• ZAIA (Macau, China) 

• CRISS ANGEL Believe (Las Vegas, Nevada) 

• ZED (Tokyo, Japan) 

• A show inspired by the life and music of Elvis Presley at Aria Resort and 

Casino at City Center 

 

Seasonal show 

• Wintuk (New York, New York) 

       from November to January each year 

 

Other Cirque du Soleil shows since 1984 that are no longer presented:  

• Cirque du Soleil  

• La Magie continue  

• We Reinvent the Circus 

• Nouvelle Expérience 

• Fascination 

• Pomp Duck and Circumstance 

• DELIRIUM 

OVO

Tonight was the Company Premiere of the new touring show named "OVO".  Reference to the egg.  The concept of the show is a world of teaming insects.  I definitely give Cirque credit for always presenting new ideas and concepts and committing to them.  There was something really cool and special being in le grand chapiteau tonight full of everyone from Cirque.  There was so much love and support, and you know every single person in that tent somehow had something to do with the final product of that show, whether it was a coach, a contract writer, a costumer, etc.  It was very cool.  There were some INCREDIBLE acts in the show.  The concept was not my favorite in Cirque history at all but it was interesting, and they have so much more time to grow during their run here in Montreal.  

Alina (Lucy)

So I have been talking about Alina alot, my new friend and new Lucy in the show with me, and Jamie brought up a point that I talk about her alot but don't really give detail about her act, so I found this video with some clips of her act so you can see the amazing stuff she actually does.  I am excited that I am on stage every night for her flying act - so I will get to watch it over and over again.  She is doing the Aerial straps, and I pretty much watch her train every day - it is very fun to see the process.  She is so sweet and nice with a great energy about her, always giving lots of kisses.  She is from Cuba.  Also I attached a picture of both of us today in our makeup!  I did mine myself - not looking to bad I must say! 

Alina and I in our show makeup.

Romantic Nowhere Man

So the character I will be playing in the show is named Romantic Nowhere Man.  Here is a video with a bunch of video clips of my specific track in the show with the orginal actor.  The video focuses mainly on him so it is kinda hard to see what is going on around him but you get the overall gist about what his journey is throughout the show.  This is not the entirety of what I will be doing - but a very good indication - his story line follows all the way through to the end of the show.  

I also included a video (#2) of the song Nowhere Man from the Yellow Submarine movie - for it is clearly the song where the Nowhere Man character stemmed from.

Costumes!

So today was my first day of actual costume fittings.  I end up having about 5 different suits/jackets I will be wearing throughout the show and a great in nothing but my undies scene. LOL.  Probably not what most people are coming to Vegas hoping to see.  They had actual suits already built to try on me but I pretty much think I have too wide of shoulders and too thin a frame to fit into anything already existing - so they had mock ups to my measurements specifically also.  I will be curious to see how much from new / scratch they will build for me. The pictures below are me in the some of the jackets - you can see the idea although nothing is perfected to me yet.  I also get to wear cool blue converse high tops in the show.  

I also had another makeup session along with Alena today.  It was fun to sit next to her and work on our makeup and chat and laugh.  I am starting to get a hang of the intense eye makeup. I am not really used to applying my own makeup so it has been fun learning to how.  I learned it all in makeup class in college but that seems years ago already again.  

Today was a rainy day here in Montreal - I hope the rain will let up tomorrow evening - because we all get to go to the company premiere of the new touring show OVO tomorrow.  I am so excited for that!

What my makeup is suppose to look like in the end.

These are all the artists currently at Headquarters training for replacements in shows this week.  This does not include all the people here for CityCenter creation, general training, and medical.  Gives you a good idea of how many people it takes to run 20 shows worldwide.   It is color coded by show.  If you can see on the right side, Alena and I are in green for LOVE!

I think I would wear this jacket out today. LOL

This suit looks exactly the same but it is rigged to be ripped off me and into my undies.  LOL

Aerial High Bar Act

So one of the touring shows Allegria is doing a big cast change over here in the next couple months and all the acrobats and artists are here training at the moment. I have been watching a group of guys training on the High Bars for a few days now for the show. I remember once seeing this act but I forgot the magnitude of how amazing the actual act they will be doing every night is.  I have included a video of their act here. Just seeing these guys everyday and having idle chit chat with them humanizes them so much to me and makes me respect what they do even more. I cannot believe that they are training to do this act 8-10 times a week!!!  So cool.

Abnormal Shoulder

Well today ended up being a great day at the Cirque for me.  I had a great makeup session this morning, then had a great meeting with the nutritionist.  We were able to go over my eating habits and she was able to create for me a great eating schedule and meal recommendations for me to help me gain some more weight and muscle mass.  I decided that with this new contract I wanted to start new workout and eating habits to not only gain some well needed weight, but also help better my overall health and energy levels, since my show is not going to be as physical as I am used to in the past.  I am going to have to get my workout elsewhere then just the show! 

So the good news for today was the follow up meeting with the doctor with the results from my MRI.  I did learn something about my left shoulder today that I never knew.  I have developed from child birth an abnormal tendon growth in my left shoulder.  It has some really fancy medical name but it went right in one ear and out the other.  Anyways instead of having one thin continuous tendon like any normal person has on their shoulder - I have an abnormal huge tendon that is wrapping around my shoulder like a rope.  The doctor said it is something that is not from any type of injury and that it is purely how my tendons developed as I grew up.  This all sounds so odd since I have never had any trouble or pain in my left shoulder ever.  He said it is nothing to be concerned about - it decreases the flexibility of the shoulder a bit,  but it does not affect my ability to do the show - or any show really at that matter - and I probably will never have any real issues with it - it is just how I am.   So I passed the physical test, I am no longer red flagged, and I am good to go.  I was so happy to hear this news.  I always knew something was off about me - who knew it was my left shoulder, LOL.  But in the end I feel like I got my contract back and I can finally look forward to the future again.  It was a bit of a strenuous process but I respect that fact that Cirque requires all of their artists, just not the acrobats doing major physical activity to stand up to their best in performance and health.  It shows they are serious about what they are doing - and really in the end concerned about their artists health and well being.  WHEW got that part outta the way!

Over the weekend I had a few nice conversations with some people and did a little more research on all the things going on with the Cirque.  I found that by the end of 2009 Cirque will have 20 shows running worldwide.  20 shows!!!  That is incredible, for one company!!!!!  I am very excited to be apart of such and world renowned and respected artistic company.

Day 4

Well this morning was my MRI.  It went fine, and actually was a lot less stressful than the last time I had an MRI on my right shoulder.  My follow up meeting is on Monday so we will see how it goes.  I am very positive that it will come back with no problems.

Today I didn't have much else to do the rest of the day then after my MRI.  I got my ticket for Ovo for next week and watched Alina train again some more.  I also go to go down and see my head mold progress.  It is really weird that it looks so much like me!  They still have to clean it up and smooth it out, but my head is there in statue form!

I also got to know Alina a little better today.  She is so sweet and nice and always giving everyone kisses.  She has only been working on the straps for about a year now, she always did trapeze before.  Seems she really loves being high in the air.  I watched her practice spins today and I about threw up just watching her.  LOL She did tell me she used to throw up all the time when she first started.  Yikes.

We have the weekend free so I am not sure what I will do.  Probably see the city some more.

Alina Training with her coach



There is a huge trophy case for cirque - here are the two

emmy awards they have won.  Thought it was kinda cool.

Bad Blisters

Today I had the entire day free.  I decided to take the free time and see some of the city.  I walked what seems like miles today.  I have the worst blister on my foot now from all the walking.  The city is very cool.  The weather was nice and I had a nice day walking, shopping, and just taking in the city.  

I also went down to the Grand Chapiteau (tent) for the new cirque touring show (Ovo) that premieres next week.  It was neat to see it setup on the pier.  I am very excited to get to see the artist premiere next week.

I am starting to get used to all the french - although it is a bit taxing to have to explain to everyone I only speak English.  Every single person who talks to me always starts in french - I have not met one person that cannot speak English once they know I do though.  It is truly a bi-lingual city, it is very cool.  Everyone that sees my last name Lefeber though instantly thinks I speak french and tell me how french my last name is.  LOL  Also anyone who has seen my address at home comments that it is also french.  I learned Hotel de Ville which is the street I live on is actually the name of the capital building here!  So ironic.

Tomorrow morning is my MRI - so I am going to get rested up and then get through this process so I can proceed with my destiny at Cirque!

DAY 2

I finally got my official Cirque du Soeil name badge and access pass.  I look so happy in my photo, thrilled to be apart of the company!

Today I did costumes and makeup.  I had a measurement meeting this morning and then did my first makeup training.  My makeup is pretty simple for a cirque show.  There is part of me that wishes I had some of the cooler crazier makeup, but I am sure a few months into the run I am going to be grateful that mine is so simple.  I learned with the Romantic Nowhere man it is all about the EYES.  As if my eyes couldn't look large enough already.  

I had alot of free time again today so I sat in and watch some more acrobats training today.  I am in complete awe of the shape these people are in.  And the discipline and skill they show just in a training room is incredible.  I watched more of the straps, some solo trapeze, trampoline, and high bars today.  Was very cool.  Makes me want to get up there and try so bad.

I also finally met Alina - she is going to be the next Lucy in the Sky in LOVE with me.  She is so cute and sweet and so very tiny!  She will be headed back to Vegas the same time I will be.  I watched her train for about an hour today, was neat to see the process.  

So on to the bad news/drama.  Clearly nothing with me can always go 100% smoothly.  After my physical yesterday they ended up having a shoulder specialist look at my shoulder. Apparently he thinks that I have a major problem with one of my shoulders - although I have no pain at all and no idea there is something wrong with it.  This made me what they call a RED flag artist, and they have to do a bunch more tests to see if I am physically able to do my role in the show.  This includes me getting an MRI on my shoulder.  So hopefully everything will show up fine in my tests and I will be ok'ed through my contract, otherwise everything could be jeopardized because of this.  This has to be the LAST thing I ever thought would be a problem when coming to Montreal to prepare for an acting part that hardly does much physical at all.  I am fully aware and understand how and why cirque is so particular with their physical assessment of employees with the types of things some of their artists are doing every night, but it definitely has made my experience less enjoyable for the last 24 hours.  The fact that something could hinder me fulfilling this dream is very hard for me accept, and the fact that I have no idea there is something wrong but someone is telling me there is is very confusing.  It is kind of a nightmare almost. I am trying to stay positive because in my heart and gut I know there is nothing wrong and hopefully this unpleasant test will tell them that also.  Who would of thought I would have to come all this way and get and MRI on a perfectly good shoulder just to carry a bouquet of daffodils.  LOL!  Clearly there is more to my part than that, but that is the basis of how I feel.

Overall though I am so grateful to be here, and really enjoying the process and all the people I am meeting along the way thus far.

Tonight I hope for better sleep and more positive news by the end of Friday.

My Head Mold

Today I had my head mold made.  Every artist to ever enter cirque always gets a head mold made.  These molds will stay in Montreal forever - and if anything ever happens that they need to fix or rebuild something for me they will have it on file for measurements and reference.  There is a room full of heads from every performer to join cirque ever.  They make the mold of the back and front of your head.  Then the poor a substance into the molds that hardens to make and actual head statue.  I will get back with pics once the sculpture of my head is complete.  Here are a few pics of the heads and me getting my head molded!

Day 1

Today was my first day at Cirque.  I had alot of appointments out of the way already today.  I quickly learned that for my track there is no training involved here in Montreal, only meetings and fittings, leaving me alot of time in the next couple weeks to explore.

I always knew what a big company cirque was - but it never really sunk in until I walked into headquarters this morning.  Not only is the building HUGE - but it is packed full of people busily working.  Everyone has been very friendly and kind thus far. 

A very sweet lady by the name of Lili is in charge of my orientation and helping me get to where I need to be the next couple days.  

Today I did contracts, physical and medical evaluation, had my head mold made, and my tax paperwork filled out.

My physical evaluation was the most thorough I have ever had.  They literally checked every single muscle, joint, and bone in my body from my toes to my ears.   I learned today that my lower back and neck hold alot of tension and that my hamstrings have lost alot of flexibility.  Something to be worked on.  Otherwise I passed the physical test with flying colors so they say.  They did also tell me I was a bit too skinny, and suggested I pay a visit to the nutritionist.  My body fat % was 4.8.  Need to work on that!  Seeing all the acrobats and athletes working out in the gym was quite daunting but very cool.  The gym, nutritionist, Pilate's instruction, and physical therapy is all here for me to use for free under my contract.  I already signed up to get my lower back relieved some!

I was surprised by the amount of artists and acrobats currently here training whether for a specific show or future skills.  There are people from all the over the world here.  Today I watched two Chinese woman practice their contortion act for Dralion.  It was incredible to see so close up in the studio and not in costume.  I was in complete awe.

I also watched whom I think is the only other person here preparing to join my show LOVE.  A young girl training on the straps - who is to be the new LUCY in the show.  I sat an watched her train with her coach for awhile but didn't have the opportunity to introduce myself yet.  I hope to soon, because I know we will have some good stage time together.

I forgot that the new show that is to be at City Center with the theme of Elvis is already in creation.  There are alot of the cast floating around, and the preparation seems very exciting.  I ran into two familiar faces from the Elvis cast.  Two young acrobats that were actually in Le Reve the same time I was in Spamalot at the Wynn.  It was nice to see their faces and say hello quickly.

I only have one appt tomorrow as of this time and that is measurements with costumes.  I hope to explore more, and continue to watch some training.  I am very excited for my role in LOVE, but seeing the athleticism and work these people are putting into their specific skills does make me long for a more physically challenging place in the cirque.  Maybe in the future.  That must be the athlete in me.

Here are just a few pics around Headquarters:

     Wall of LOVE 
     The exact photo of Guy that used to hang in my bedroom for inspiration.
      The Lobby
Entrance into Headquarters
     The Big Bronze Clown Shoe out front
The Cirque Headquarters
     Cirque Apartments 
     Building 2 of Headquarters
     Building 3 of Headquarters (the place is HUGE)
     Statue out front of Apartments