For 30 years, Cirque du Soleil has amazed audiences with its distinctive brand of circus performance. Its character-driven stories, stunning costumes and death-defying stunts have been seen by almost 150 million people worldwide, a good number of them in Las Vegas.
For many performers, landing a gig with Cirque marks the pinnacle of their career. The Montreal-based company — the largest theatrical producer in the world — employs more than 4,000 people, about 1,300 who perform onstage. The artists’ talents are diverse, from contortion to clowning, acting to acrobatics, singing to synchronized swimming.
The performers represent more than 50 nationalities and speak 25 languages. But among them, a few sentiments seem to be universal: They are amazed to have been selected by Cirque, they love what they do, and they hope to continue performing, in Las Vegas and beyond, for decades to come.
Name: Valerie Kimani, 30
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Moved to Las Vegas: About two years ago
What is your main area of expertise? Music, singing, acting for stage and screen
Describe your background and training. At 21, I won a reality singing competition called “Project Fame.” Since then, I’ve performed in and out of Africa and had television and movie roles. In 2010, I won the New York Music Festival Award for an off-Broadway role I played in a musical called “Mo’ Faya.”
What do you do when you aren’t performing? Wrestling with my 4-year-old son, Zion
What is your favorite food? Indian
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas? The lights at night
What is your proudest moment? Flying on the moon everyday at “MJ One.” I’m terrified of heights.
Name of the show in which you perform: “Michael Jackson One”
Name of your character: Ngame, the moon goddess
How long have you been playing the character? Since the show was created, from the very beginning
Tell us about your character and what you do onstage. Ngame is magnificent and divine. She is an ethereal and shifting image evoking the mother and the moon — nurturing and untouchable. And she sings.
What is your most memorable experience on stage? I will never forget that feeling when Michael’s family watched the show for the first time. It gave everything we do so much meaning.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Still performing on some stage somewhere in the world.
Name: Niels van den Heuvel, 25
Hometown: Amsterdam, Holland
Moved to Las Vegas: July 2
What is your main area of expertise? Professional dancer
Describe your background and training. I started dancing in 2008. I started taking classes in Los Angeles for a few months and went on to study three years of professional dance studies back in Amsterdam. I earned my diploma from the Art and Entertainment College in Amsterdam. I continued to study dance at a variety of institutions. I have danced, choreographed and taught dance through the years.
My career highlights include: Toured with Nike as one of the brand’s dancers, Competed in “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2012 and finished in the top 14, and Danced with Miley Cyrus and Red Foo from LMFAO at MTV’s Europe Music Awards.
What do you do when you aren’t performing? I like to work out and ride my motorcycle. I enjoy going out to eat with friends. My favorite spot is Umami Burger.
What is your favorite food? My favorite food is anything Italian, and randomly, I love pancakes!
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas? My favorite part about Las Vegas is that there are so many entertainment and nightlife options at your fingertips. You can see celebrities out and about and actually get the opportunity to meet them.
What is your proudest moment? My proudest moment is becoming part of “The Beatles Love” cast. I was contacted by Cirque du Soleil’s casting department through a private message on Facebook. I caught their attention from my videos on YouTube.
Name of the show in which you perform: “The Beatles Love” by Cirque du Soleil
Name of your character: The Walrus
How long have you been playing the character? Five months
Tell us about your character and what you do onstage. The Walrus is the rock star of the group and keeps the party going. He is a product of Dr. Roberts. Even though the Walrus encourages everyone to have fun, he will confront people with the truth and the downside of love.
What is your most memorable experience on stage? When I made my debut in “Love”! I remember the first moment I made my entrance on the stage. When I saw the audience for the first time, it was amazing — everyone is looking at you! Very exciting.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself as a choreographer for a large production, such as Cirque du Soleil, or creating shows for artists going on tour.
Name: Erez Kaplan, 32
Hometown: Tel Aviv, Israel
Moved to Las Vegas: 2009
What is your main area of expertise? Russian swing and cerceaux, both aerial acrobatic acts
Describe your background and training. I was a gymnast on the Israeli national team for a little over 11 years and competed in many international competitions for Israel, including two world championships and three European championships.
What do you do when you aren’t performing? I have two beautiful girls, so my free time belongs to the family!
What is your favorite food? Thai food, but saying my wife’s cooking is my favorite is the smart choice, so … my wife’s!
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas? The versatility — kids activities, adult activities, great restaurants, awesome shopping options and, of course, no traffic.
What is your proudest moment? My proudest moment has to be my eldest daughter, Noa’s, first steps. That beats any one of my personal achievements in sports or onstage, for sure.
Name of the show in which you perform: “O” by Cirque du Soleil
Names of the characters you play: Comet, cerceaux (aerial hoop) and Russian swing (groom)
How long have you been playing the characters? Five and a half years
Tell us about your characters and what you do onstage. As a Comet, I’m the theater soldier, or the aquatic world/stage guardian, if you will. As cerceaux, I’m a biker from the sky, where I perform on an aerial hoop high above the stage with other artists. We represent the air part of our world, “O.” As Russian swing, I’m a groom, part of a big happy, crazy wedding. I control and push the heavy-duty swings that our diving artists fly off of.
What is your most memorable experience on stage? My most memorable experience onstage was my first cerceaux performance in the show. The fear, the excitement and the adrenaline rush was crazy, no doubt.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In 10 years, I hope to own my own business, and hopefully something that has to do with the stage that I love so much.
{ SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun; Pictures by Christopher DeVargas | http://goo.gl/XV4IUn }
