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: Marek Haczkiewicz
Hometown: Jawor, Poland
Moved to Las Vegas: March 1997
What is your main area of expertise? Trampoline, tumbling, acrobatics and character work … I’m a master in Gibberish!
Describe your background and training. I competed on trampoline for the national team representing Poland in the European Championships, the World Championships and many other international events.
What do you do when you aren’t performing? Regular, daily family activities. I am married with three children. Apart from family and work, I would golf 26 hours a day.
What is your favorite food? I love steak and everything my wife cooks!
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas? The weather
What is your proudest moment? My family
Name of the show in which you perform: I performed in “Saltimbanco” and “Mystere.”
Name of your character: Moha-Samedi, or the Pink Guy
How long have you been playing the character? For seven years
Tell us about your character and what you do onstage. He is the Ringmaster, emcee and narrator of the show. He tries to keep balance and peace during the show. Nobody listens to or respects him.
What is your most memorable experience on stage? Performing for 10 years beside my wife.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hollywood! And traveling the world with my family, and my daughter playing in the LPGA.
Name: Iurie Hlinov, 33
Hometown: Chisinau, Moldova
Moved to Las Vegas: Three years ago
What is your main area of expertise? Aerial duo with my wife, rolla bolla, character work and clowning
Describe your background and training. I grew up in a circus family. I learned everything from my dad.
What do you do when you aren’t performing? I spend time with my wife, a performer in “Zarkana,” and our 15-month-old son.
What is your favorite food? I like everything!
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas? One hour on one side, you can see snow; one hour on the other side, you can see a lake.
What is your proudest moment? The birth of my son
Name of the show in which you perform: “Zarkana” (I also was in “Zed” in Tokyo and “Viva Elvis.”)
Name of your character: Chinese cook. I also do the rolla bolla act (backup act for juggling), and I’m a backup to one of the clowns.
How long have you been playing the character? Two years
Tell us about your character and what you do onstage. The Chinese cook is funny and stupid and tries to be a kung fu master, but it never happens.
What is your most memorable experience on stage? Working with my wife when we did the aerial duo act in “Viva Elvis.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Still on stage, improving myself artistically and improving my circus performer skills.
Name: Araz Hamzayev, 27
Hometown: Baku, Azerbaijan
Moved to Las Vegas: July 2013
What is your main area of expertise? Contortion
Describe background and training. I am a second-generation circus artist in my family. My father was my first teacher, but later I continued training in gymnastics school in my country.
What do you do when you aren’t performing? I spend time with family. I also enjoy photography.
What is your favorite food? I like Italian food — all Italian food.
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas? I love the weather in winter.
What is your proudest moment? I was so proud when I received my call from Cirque du Soleil.
Name of the show in which you perform: “Zumanity”
Name of your character: The name of my act and “character” is Dislocation, a contortion number in “Zumanity.”
How long have you been playing the character? I’ve been in “Zumanity” for 15 months now.
Tell us about your character and what you do onstage. My act is an intense contortion act, bending my body in all sorts of ways. There are some cringe-worthy moments and audience gasps!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Two years ago, I never thought I would get to work for Cirque du Soleil. For this reason, it’s truly hard to think 10 years ahead. But what I am sure of is that I would like to continue to perform as much as possible on a Cirque du Soleil stage.
{ SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun; Pictures by Christopher DeVargas | http://goo.gl/XV4IUn }
