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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Running Away to Join Cirque Du Soleil Kooza: The Not-So-Secret-World of Becoming a Cirquador




KOOZA = An adrenaline rush of acrobatics in a zany kingdom 


I just can't hold in any longer......I'M RUNNING AWAY TO JOIN THE CIRCUS. That's right, beginning oct 29 until dec 27, Cirque du Soleil Kooza is having its vancouver run and I've been hired as one of the contract staff to welcome people and ensure that visitors are 100% immersed in the magic of Cirque Du Soleil. Disney calls their employees "Cast Members", Cirque du Soleil calls their workers "Cirquadors"

Magic doesn't happen on its own and in productions like Cirque or places like Disneyland, the stakes are high for the company and making magic is a fairly serious affair. The crazy high standard and work ethic that Cirque demands of the performers is also the same standard it expects of every Cirquador whether they'd be in box office, usher, merchandise etc.

In fact, when I showed up for the interview to begin my application I was told my appt is at 2pm but I was told to come at 1:45 because they wanted me practicing and getting into the habit of doing things the way its done when the time comes. When showing up to a shift I was told that I have to be on time and if I'm not, they've got people standing by and i'll be replaced for that shift and not be able to work that day. In their words "In the world of Cirque, if you aren't early.....you are late".

Originally I was hired on to be an usher but after I got hired I was informed that there was another position that was created, that they felt I'd be perfect for. And that is to be a merchandise hawker selling souvenirs books and small merchandise so people can take a piece of the magic home with them.

If you didn't know already, Cirque began when a group of 20 performers from montreal began doing acrobatics on the street. The movement picked up and gained popularity into the worldwide phenomenon we know today as Cirque du soleil. Since then there have been many versions of performances all the way from light hearted and funny to dark, violent, and even sexual nuances. However Kooza goes back to the roots of Cirque du Soleil with its main themes being clown and acrobats, things that pop into ones mind when the circus comes to mind.

 http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/10/cirque-du-soleil-big-top/


Here in Vancouver the big top has been raised and the greatest show on earth is about to begin. This is your personal invitation to get your passports stamped and become citizens of a kingdom where clown and acrobats are king.  See you under the big top....




Interview: A talk with Cirque du Soleil's Gordon White of KOOZA







Amorous Alpacas

Amorous Alpacas