Years ago before I was even old enough to enjoy Las Vegas or gamble Laura and I joined mom and dad on a trip during winter break. Not having any idea what to do I figure shows would be my best bet. Even then I was obsessed with what was the popular or newest thing to see. Yeah I know big surprise. The only show I couldn’t find a ticket to in town was a show named “O” at the Bellagio I had no idea what it was or what the name Cirque du Soleil accompanying the title even stood for, but if one couldn’t get a ticket, clearly I wanted in. All I needed to perk my interest. After hounding dad for a couple days to find a way to get me into that show he somehow made a “phone call” and found one single ticket for me. I was pumped.
That evening I was to attend the 7 pm showing of “O” while the rest of the family attended a showing of “Jubilee”. Upon entry into the theater I remember everything seeming very ordinary, a theatre in the typical sort, with a huge red curtain across the front of the stage. Soon a couple very normal looking clowns start taunting people throughout the audience – this seemed odd but I guess Cirque must stand for circus and clowns are a given. This did not look like anything like a circus tent at all though. What was to happen the moment the red curtain disappeared into thin air I could have never imagined.
The show was the most overwhelming spectacle I had ever seen, and I was nowhere near ready for the way it would make me feel. As the curtain disappeared we were thrown into the most visually beautiful yet foreign world I have ever experienced. Circus acts, musicians, and characters, existing in and around a humongous pool of water.
Now by this point in life I have seen a lot of shows and spectacle and I was starting into my studies of the world of theater, but every rule that anyone ever told me there was in theatre was literally being broken right in front of my eyes. I could barely catch my breath it all happened so fluidly, quickly, and in a dream like state. I remember being so overwhelmed at one point, I had to look down to the floor for a few seconds to give my senses a break.
Leaving the theatre that night I have never been so exhilarated or confused. Listening to others speak about what they thought about the show while exiting the theatre was all I could focus on. I had to make sure that the others had seen what I had saw, that it was real, and that I wasn’t the only one that was so emotionally rocked by the experience. Upon meeting the rest of the family after their show, when they asked me how the show was I hardly could speak. I had no words.
I had to know more about this “Cirque” and I wasted no time once home doing my research. My experience with “O” had moved me so much that I instantly became obsessed with Cirque and everything about it. I bought all the DVD’s possible of all the shows touring the world, joined fan clubs, and forums and started to discover the amazing creative world of Cirque du Soleil.
Anyone who knew me well after that time was introduced to my obsession. I would make people sit and look through the souvenir program from “O” as I would try to explain in simple words what it was. I would force friends to sit and watch DVD’s with me even though it was the 8th time I had watched it that week. I would travel to see every show I could that was in North America.
I became very obsessed with the thought that musical theatre might be too simple and trite and that cirque had something special going on that I needed in on. Their ability to evoke emotion without the use of words – solely through body – art – and music had captivated my imagination. I wanted to join the circus. But this was just no ordinary circus. This was creative heaven. After discovering the world of cirque I knew there was nothing more I wanted to do then be apart of this company someday. I didn’t know how, but I would. Maybe I could be a clown, or a dancer, or learn a circus skill. I researched circus-training programs. I wanted in. I didn’t care if I had to work in the business offices I knew this would be apart of my life eventually. It was a big part of my decision to move to Las Vegas in the first place. I wanted to meet and somehow work my way into the people and world of cirque. I guess I never dreamed it would be so soon, and for such an amazing show and role.
Now I just landed on airplane in Montreal to the Cirque du Soleil’s headquarters to join the company as an artist. This has to be one of the most surreal experiences to date in my life.
I have never been able to keep a consistent diary or blog in my life – but I think this experience is about to be one of the most unique in my entire life, and I want to document it the best I can to share with the ones I love, and to have forever in my future. My dream is coming is true and I can only imagine what will come from within the world of Cirque du Soleil.
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