Meet an Artist, Part 6 of 6

Ever wonder what it would be like to become a Cirque du Soleil artist? Of course you have! Who hasn’t? Wonder no longer! Through a series of interviews on their casting website, Cirque du Soleil invites us to get to know some of their performers (past and present), and discover how each of them went from a career as an athlete, circus performer, instrumentalist, singer, dancer, actor, clown, or in another specialty to becoming a Cirque performer. They’re fantastic reads if you’ve had the pleasure, and if you haven’t, well, don’t despair. We’ve collected all 30 artist interviews for you to peruse in this series, which, due to the page count, we’ve published in six parts.

In September, we began with Q&A’s from Anthony Gatto, Claudel Doucet, Denise Stefanie Gonzalez, Eric Scribner, and Eve Castelo Branco. We continued with Hassan El Hajjami, Jean-François Houle, Jeanne Dioman Gbou, Julia Lopatkina, and Kristin Allen in October. Then with Lionel Hamel, Lisa Skinner, Marco De Santi, Melissa Urbano, and Michael Joseph Hachey in November. And with Miho Kono, Miro Lacasse, Noriko Takahash, Odmaa Bayartsogt, and Oleksandr Pylypenko in December. January opened with Q&A’s from Paulo Lorador, PJ Bogart, Raphaël Sanchez, Ross Gibson, and Sabú Alegría. And now we conclude by hearing from Suo Liu, Tumelo “Michael” Moloi, Vanessa Convery, Zara Tellander, and Zeng Jiao Jian.

MEET AN ARTIST INTERVIEW SERIES
PART SIX

SUO LIU | New York City
Martial Arts

Q. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND PRIOR TO JOINING CIRQUE?

My background is in traditional martial arts and Wushu.

Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

In December 2013

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION?

I auditioned for Cirque du Soleil in Los Angeles back in 2012. My friend told me about it.

Q. WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR AUDITION?

The audition was something completely new to me; I had to perform a 5-minute solo, I had to dance, and I had to act like different animals.

Q. HOW WAS YOUR INTEGRATION INTO THE SHOW?

My integration went well. I use a lot of my martial arts skills.

Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

I get to do what I love for a living.

Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO FROM YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?

My transition was smooth, since KÀ includes a lot of martial arts.

Q. IS WORKING AT CIRQUE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU HAD IMAGINED?

The thought of working for Cirque du Soleil, a world-renowned circus, was intimidating. I thought it would be very hard, but with everyone’s help and support, it was actually easy.

Q. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES HAS CIRQUE GIVEN YOU?

Cirque du Soleil has given me the opportunity to grow as an artist.

Q. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE OR SUGGESTION FOR YOUNG MARTIAL ARTISTS?

Train hard and never give up.

Q. HOW DO YOU KEEP IN SHAPE?

I keep in shape by training and performing 10 shows a week.

Q. HOW IS LIFE IN LAS VEGAS?

I come from New York, so life in Las Vegas is very different. I now have time to enjoy life more, to spend time with my friends and relax.

* * *

TUMELO “MICHAEL” MOLOI | Johannesburg
Gumboots, Pantsula, and Tap dancing

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT PRIOR TO JOINING CIRQUE?

7th All Africa Games promotion 1999; Vita Dance Umbrella Awards 1997-2000; Toured in Europe 2001-2006 (France, Belgium, London, Germany & Sweden)

Q. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR ARTISTIC BACKGROUND PREVIOUS TO JOINING CIRQUE:

I was with Via Katlehong for more than 10 years choreographing, teaching and dancing with the company.

Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

I joined Cirque in December 2006. I was only in Montreal for one week before moving to Las Vegas.

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION? WHAT WAS THE CONTEXT?

I was performing in a festival in France where I was discovered by Cirque du Soleil, and that lead to an audition in South Africa.

Q. WHAT KIND OF AN EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR AUDITION?

I found the audition easy because I only had to do what I have been doing for many years. The training was difficult but exciting at the same time.

Q. HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO?

It was hard at first to work with a group of dancers who all had such different skills but my transition was made simpler by working with lovely and talented artists like Natasha Jean-Bart (Lady Madonna in LOVE).

Q. HOW DOES BEING PART OF A CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW ALLOW YOU TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?

Cirque gives their artists freedom to explore and expand in many different ways; the art and culture of the company is great for me.

Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

I really like working with all the different people and learning what they do. Also, I like the security of having my first long-term contract and all the great benefits Cirque provides.

Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO BETWEEN YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?

Interestingly, I’ve found that I have actually developed more as a performer than as a dancer. I’m happy to say that I get to do what I’ve been doing all my life, but now I get to do it the Cirque way.

Q. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AN ARTIST TO JOIN CIRQUE?

To be a part of Cirque du Soleil is not only fun on stage but also outside of work.

Q. HOW IS LIFE IN LAS VEGAS?

Life in Vegas can be crazy and a little confusing at times because there is so much going on in one small town, but that is also what makes it fun and exciting!

Q. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

Let’s keep the spirit of art burning with passion and love! Togetherness is magic, one love!

* * *

VANESSA CONVERY | Canada
Dance

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT PRIOR TO JOINING CIRQUE?

I danced for the Pope in front of 40,000 people and for Kings and Queens all over the world.

Q. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR ARTISTIC BACKGROUND PREVIOUS TO JOINING CIRQUE:

I trained as a classical ballet dancer, graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and joined the National Ballet of Canada. I also trained in modern, jazz, and hip-hop and taught each of these disciplines around the world.

Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

I joined in 2003 for the creation of ZUMANITY.

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION? WHAT WAS THE CONTEXT?

A friend brought me to the audition for ZUMANITY.

Q. WHAT KIND OF AN EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR AUDITION?

I had great time; they paired with a partner and asked us to improvise a sensual pas-de-deux. On Dec. 24, 2002 I received a phone call telling me that I got the job… I was overjoyed!

Q. HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO IN MONTREAL AND IN THE SHOW?

As I was part of the entire creation process, my integration was very natural.

Q. HOW DOES BEING PART OF A CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW ALLOW YOU TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?

ZUMANITY is fantastic because it’s based on our actual characters. My role was created based on my sensual and sexy personality, and then amplified to the nth degree.

Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

I love expressing myself on stage and through my dance; I get to be a larger than life personality. Seeing the audience truly being touched and embracing their journey as they leave has inspired me throughout my career here.

Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO BETWEEN YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?

It was a transition that one needs to adapt to – it’s never easy performing 474 shows per year. There is a lot of hard work and you definitely have to be dedicated to your craft, but the rewards are so sweet.

Q. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AN ARTIST TO JOIN CIRQUE?

The stability is nice and knowing when and where your next gig is also a good thing. It’s a great company with great benefits and post career opportunities. They really encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and to continually grow.

Q. HOW IS LIFE IN LAS VEGAS?

Life in Las Vegas is great! I love the weather and all that the city has to offer!

Q. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

Big KISS!

* * *

ZARA TELLANDER | Sweden
Singing

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT PRIOR TO JOINING?

I did 7 years of full time music studies in Sweden where I completed a Master’s Degree from Gothenburg Music University. After graduating I worked as a freelance singer in different ensembles and as a soloist, as well as working as a singing teacher. On top of performing, I also wrote and arranged music for my ensembles, my students and myself. I have done radio recordings, appeared on TV, did many live gigs and in 1998 I recorded a CD with the vocal trio “Envisa”. I have also taken courses in Improv Theatre. In 2000 I took lessons at the “Loose Moose Theatre Summer School” in Calgary, Canada. I also performed with an improv theatre ensemble in Sweden for a couple of years.

Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

March 19th 2002

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION? WHAT WAS THE CONTEXT?

I happened to turn on the TV when the Swedish channel 4 was broadcasting Quidam. I got curious and searched the internet to find out more about the company. I could see they used a live singer and voice-work in the context of circus acts was new to me. So I sent in my demo-CD and six weeks later I got a phone call from casting. Another six weeks after that phone call, I was in Montreal working in the creation of Varekai.

Q. HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO IN MONTREAL AND IN THE SHOW?

I did five weeks of creation in Montreal, before Varekai had its premiere. It was very hard work, very long hours, and overall quite an overwhelming experience getting used to all the other artists from all over the world, and trying to get a grip of the creation team and of how the show as it was evolving. The creation of a new show is very intense work but I had coaches to help me, which was very helpful. With my second show, “O”, I already knew the company so the integration went very smoothly and quickly. The show is older, and everything was prepared for me meticulously. Within a week I was pretty much integrated, roughly speaking. The most touching for me was how the “O” sound guys even called my former head of sound to ask what preferences I had for my monitor mix. This made me feel very, very welcome.

Q. HOW DOES BEING PART OF A CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW ALLOW YOU TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?

This is always a balance. Of course I have another kind of freedom to express myself artistically when I sing my own songs in my own context. On the other hand, influences from other artistic views than my own broadens me as an artist. With Cirque there is a show concept to respect, but there is a way of using one’s unique qualities within the show concept. Sometimes it is difficult to judge where that thin line is between “artistic freedom” and “to blend in with the show”. Very often the Artistic Team, Bandleader or Composer can be helpful in these situations. For me, whenever I have the need to express myself “completely my way” I sometimes do smaller creative projects on my time off.

Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

The possibility to travel, learn new things, meet people I never would have met otherwise, to see people master disciplines I never even knew existed, to get to taste food from other cultures, speak other languages, to be influenced and inspired by musicians from China, Senegal, Canada, USA, Poland etc. To work hard together to feed an audience twice a day, push my own limits… many, many different things. When so many different cultures meet I also get to learn a lot about my own culture and about myself. It broadens the perspective and it opens up to interesting conversations, daily. Not to mention the fact that I get to work full-time as a singer!

Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO BETWEEN YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?

I had a very quick transition. There was very little time to even think. It was a very big change of life. On tour we had great support from one another, since we were all pretty much in the same situation of change.

Q. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AN ARTIST TO JOIN CIRQUE?

Every artist should join Cirque for their own reasons! It is a great possibility to learn a lot…but it also depends on what we are ready to be curious of. I took my final decision based on this thought: “When I get really old… I don’t want to look back on my life and wonder what would have happened if I took that job at that circus…”

Q. HOW IS LIFE ON TOUR/IN LAS VEGAS?

Life on tour is like being married to 150 people you didn’t choose. We travel as a group and know way too much about each other! On the other hand, as we go from city to city, we know we can trust each other and rely on one another through thick and thin. Life on tour is very dynamic and also very different between the different touring shows. Life in Las Vegas is completely different. The show schedule is planned well ahead, and it is possible to have a more “normal” life, with a home, car, family, hobbies, garden, etc.

* * *

ZENG JIAO JIAN | China
Wushu (Martial Art)

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT PRIOR TO JOINING CIRQUE?

I won China’s Sixth National Wushu Championship and was World Wushu Champion.

Q. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR ATHLETIC BACKGROUND PREVIOUS TO JOINING CIRQUE:

I had twenty years of professional training, was a Beijing Wushu team member and was a Wushu instructor for TNT Wushu Chicago and for the National Wushu Center in Los Angeles. Also, I appeared in MTV’s “The Soon to be Winner” and I was a stunt double for the MGM movie “Warriors of Virtue”.

Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

November 2003.

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION? WHAT WAS THE CONTEXT?

Although I had known about Cirque’s reputation before, I was truly astonished when I saw Mystère. I dreamed of one day being able to perform my Wushu on such a stage and when I heard about KÀ, I said to myself: “My dream will certainly come true.”

Q. WHAT KIND OF AN EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR AUDITION?

I passed my audition and before I knew it I was on my way to the dreamy, snowy city of Montreal. Since I joined KÀ as it was initially being created, I did not participate in any training programs or workshops.

Q. HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO IN THE SHOW?

Joining KÀ as it was being created helped my integration. It has required much hard work but performing always brings me confidence and the applause from audience is the best reward for me.

Q. HOW DOES BEING PART OF A CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW ALLOW YOU TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?

Adapting my skills to my character has allowed me to best express both my skills and myself.

Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?

I really like the weekly meeting where all the actors and managers gather like a family.

Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO BETWEEN YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?

When I became an actor in Cirque, I found my background had not prepared me for the bold and very open performance required. Now I find my perspective has widened, my mind is more open and my skills have improved.

Q. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AN ARTIST TO JOIN CIRQUE?

When I recommend Cirque to an artist I tell them that this is the best show in the world, Cirque is a great organization and is a great opportunity.

Q. HOW IS LIFE IN LAS VEGAS?

I have such a good life in Las Vegas. Since I moved here I bought a house, married my dream girl Zula (she’s also an artist in KÀ!) and pretty soon our first baby will be born.

Q. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

Time + Opportunity + Effort = Success

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