If you’ve ever dreamed about running away to join the circus, Jean-Luc Martin can help with that.
Martin, 48, is the founder and executive director of the new San Diego Circus Center (sandiegocircuscenter.org), a Miramar-based school that teaches everything from tightrope walking to aerial arts.
Before opening the nonprofit, Martin had plenty of experience under a big top. He did three tours as a Cirque du Soleil acrobat with roles like “The Ugly Old Bird” for the “Alegria” tour. He also used his fearlessness and flexibility working for many years as a Hollywood stuntman.
Martin, who lives in La Jolla with his family, explains why circus arts are important.
Q: What is the San Diego Circus Center?
A: A nonprofit devoted to advancing circus training on the West Coast and enriching the lives of our community by teaching circus disciplines, art and culture. Our curriculum is built for students who want to have fun yet challenge themselves. We have recreational programs as well as professional programs for those individuals who desire to reach a higher level.
Q: Why did you decide to open a circus school?
A: I was trained by the very best in the circus industry, and there is no school in Southern California that offers the discipline and training that I experienced back in the day, so it just made sense. Being physically active has always been a fundamental part of my life, and after retiring from circus, I was asked surprisingly frequently, “will you please teach me how to do a handstand?” I think with the recent popularity of all yoga practices, people realized how important it is to just be strong with control and that’s what I encourage.
Q: Why should people care about circus arts?
A: Like many of the arts, circus arts gives us an opportunity to express our creativity. While not a mainstream sport or activity, circus skills can enhance the students’ ability in other mainstream sports.
Q: How did you break into the circus business?
A: When I was around 20, I saw a Cirque du Soleil performance and I knew then that was my next step in life. Being a rock climber and big-wall climber, I could naturally slackline — which requires balance, not be afraid of heights and I was fairly agile. That was my foundation.
Q: How did you get hired for Cirque du Soleil?
A: After watching CDS for the first time, I went to their headquarters (in Montreal) searching for information and was directed to Pickle Family Circus in San Francisco. I joined the Pickle Family Circus troupe, trained with them and performed for two seasons. Then I was accepted to the National Circus School in Montreal, where I trained and then was invited to join Cirque du Soleil’s European tour.
Q: What is the most terrifying thing you’ve ever done in a circus setting?
A: The time when my coach tied a shoe string around my waist and said, “Pretend it’s a spotting belt.”
Q: Did you ever have any close calls?
A: We practice a lot before performing a trick, so it really is calculated risks, but there are moments when a trick goes wrong in midair and your reaction is challenged. That’s a wake-up call that lasts a long time.
Q: What are some films or TV shows that you did stunts for?
A: “Batman & Robin,” “My Favorite Martian,” “The Glimmer Man,” “Charmed” and “Melrose Place,” the original, where I met my wife (show director, Mara).
Q: What is the most terrifying thing you did as a stuntman?
A: High falls. I don’t like high falls into boxes or air bags.
Q: What are skills you teach at the circus school?
A: We teach handstands, hand-to-hand balancing with another person, Russian bar, flexibility, tight-wire walking, trapeze and duo trapeze, Lira (hoop) and dance/movement.
Q: What’s the best advice you ever received?
A: Listen to your injuries.
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?
A: That I did not marry an acrobat. Or a juggler. Or a rock climber.
Q: Where is the best breakfast in San Diego?
A: Pancakes with our kids at home.
Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.
A: Taking my son surfing on Sundays while I do my handstand training on the beach. I time my handstands in between the sets. We watch each other. Then, enjoying a family barbecue at home by the pool with my girls. My daughter just might be following in my footsteps.
{ SOURCE: UT-SanDiego.com | http://goo.gl/yQcnTm }
