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: Melissa Urbano, 26
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Moved to Las Vegas: Sept. 1, 2013
What is your main area of expertise? Karate, freestyle martial arts, tricking
Describe your background and training. I started training in martial arts at age 6. I competed at the ISKA U.S. Open World Championships numerous times, taking home multiple world titles. I have been competitive at a high level since age 16 in multiple styles such as traditional, extreme and weaponry, as well as semi- to full-contact fighting.
Before I joined “Ka,” I was teaching classes and conducting workshops and seminars all over Australia. Since 2006, I have performed many choreographed martial arts demonstrations for education and entertainment. I performed in a Community Arts Festival Show in Melbourne, which involved dance choreography, gymnastics and martial arts. I also have performed as a stuntwoman in numerous short films in Australia, which involved choreographed fight scenes, action sequences, high- level stunts, firearm usage and some acting.
What do you do when you aren’t performing? I love to choreograph fight sequences, and I like to try new things, such as tumbling, straps, anything acrobatic. I do a lot of puzzles, and I love to draw.
What is your favorite food? Ice cream
What are your favorite things about Las Vegas? My “Ka” family, the Colorado River, Mount Charleston
What is your proudest moment? Getting married to Phillip Kismartoni. Also, every night, I take pride being on stage at “Ka.” The audience applause at the end of every show makes me proud.
Name of the show in which you perform: “Ka”
Names of your characters: Spearwoman and archer
How long have you been playing the characters? One year, two months
Tell us about your characters and what you do onstage. The archers and spearmen and spearwomen are the “bad guys.” They are martial arts experts, loyal followers and warriors, out to destroy the empire and anyone who gets in their way.
What is your most memorable experience on stage? The applause from the audience when performing my nunchuks solo
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I hope to still be performing! I also want to own my own martial arts/gymnastics school with my husband, who also is an artist in “Ka.” Someday, we would like to have kids.
Name: Anna Zlatkova, 34
Hometown: Sofia, Bulgaria
Moved to Las Vegas: October 2005
What is your main area of expertise? Gymnastics, tumbling, aerial hoop. Once upon a time, I was a human cannonball.
Describe your background and training.1992 European Olympic Games Juniors, 1995 European Championship — England, 1997 European Championship — Russia, and 1999 World Championship — China
What do you do when you aren’t performing? Take care of my two children. And I love to go to yoga.
What is your favorite food? Warm Bulgarian food made of vegetables and meat.
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas? The amount of entertainment, the beautiful fall weather
What is your proudest moment? On a personal level, the birth of my children. On a professional level, getting a job at Cirque.
Name of the show in which you perform: “Mystere” (2005-present), “Alegri”a by Cirque du Soleil (2002-2005), “Ringling Brothers” (1999-2001)
Name of your character: Baby Girl
How long have you been playing the character? Nine years
Tell us about your character and what you do onstage. I’m a very inquisitive young child in the big world of “Mystere.” I do tumble and back up the clown.
What is your most memorable experience on stage? I have so many beautiful, memorable experiences …
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?> I hope I’m still involved in the creative, artistic scene.
Name: Mariano Di Yoro, 35
Hometown: Platanos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Moved to Las Vegas: 2008
What is your main area of expertise? Carpentry, clowning, juggling, funny guy
Describe your background and training. I grew up playing guitar. Then I began teaching myself juggling and theatre performance.
What do you do when you aren’t performing? Be a dad and carpentry/woodworking
What is your favorite food? Pasta and BBQ
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas? That I can have chickens in my house. And you can find anything 24 hours a day.
What is your proudest moment? Having a child and having the opportunity to do what I am passionate about
Name of the show in which you perform: “Believe”
Name of your character: Slim
How long have you been playing the character? Six years, since creation
Tell us about your character and what you do onstage. Magic assistance, funny character. In the beginning, my character was much more complicated. With changes over the years, my character is much simpler now.
What is your most memorable experience on stage? Playing Slim onstage every night.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Still performing and growing a woodworking business.
{ SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun; Pictures by Christopher DeVargas | http://goo.gl/XV4IUn }
