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’ll publish 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 last month with Hassan El Hajjami (Hip-hop & Breakdance), Jean-François Houle (Bandleaders), Jeanne Dioman Gbou (Ethnic & Traditional dance), Julia Lopatkina (Acrobatic gymnastics), and Kristin Allen (Gymnastics). And now here in Part three: Lionel Hamel (Stringed instruments), Lisa Skinner (Artistic gymnastics), Marco De Santi (Extreme sports), Melissa Urbano (Martial arts), and Michael Joseph Hachey (Stringed instruments).
PART THREE
LIONEL HAMEL
Canada | Guitar, Singer, Computer programmer
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT PRIOR TO JOINING?
Guitar, voice and sound engineer for Dralion and Solstrom. 15 years of music for Radio Canada’s “L’onde de choc musique et son”
Q. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR ARTISTIC BACKGROUND BEFORE JOINING CIRQUE.
I did music for TV shows, commercials and movies and toured with Sylvain Cossette, Marc Dupré, Sono, Zébulon and Marc Déry.
Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
I began in 2004.
Q. WHAT KIND OF AN EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR AUDITION?
It was very good… cool and relaxed.
Q. HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO IN THE SHOW?
My integration took nearly 3 years, but everything is very good now.
Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
I love having the possibility to grow with such a great company.
Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO BETWEEN YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?
It has been very good so far.
Q. HOW IS IN LAS VEGAS?
Expensive!
LISA SKINNER
Australia | Artistic Gymnastics – Power Track
Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
I began in April 2006.
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION? WHAT WAS THE CONTEXT?
I bumped into a member of Cirque’s Casting department while competing in Athens in 2004.
Q. WHAT KIND OF AN EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR AUDITION?
Unlike any other! It was a comprehensive and intense blend of acrobatics and artistry, fantasy and reality, and everything in between. You never knew what to expect each day!
Q. HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO IN THE SHOW?
Quite fast yet quite smooth. One minute I was watching the show and the next I was in the show! As soon as I arrived everyone was so incredibly welcoming and extremely helpful.
Q. HOW DOES BEING PART OF A CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW ALLOW YOU TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?
You really get to show off what you do best. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to perform in front of an audience that is in awe of every little move you make!
Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
I love waking up in the morning and really looking forward to going to work every day. In fact, it doesn’t even fell like work to me!
Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO BETWEEN YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?
The transition was fine. I think it’s fantastic that Cirque provides the opportunity to turn the acrobatic and artistic skills that people have spent so much effort perfecting into a career.
Q. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AN ARTIST TO JOIN CIRQUE?
It’s an amazing experience you’ll never forget or regret.
Q. HOW IS LIFE ON TOUR?
Unreal!
MARCO DE SANTI
Brazil | Rollerblading
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC OR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT PRIOR TO JOINING CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
Gold Medal in Latin American XGAMES in 2002 & 2003, Ranked #2 in the World in 2004; Silver Medal for XGAMES 2004; Gold Medal in Asian XGAMES 2004
Q. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT BACKGROUND PREVIOUS TO JOINING CIRQUE:
I was a competitive professional in-line skater. And when I wasn’t on skates I liked to learn tricks like back flips, handstands, and various other types of flips.
Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
I started in September 2005, in Montreal for the creation of LOVE. Good times!
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION?
In 2000 I did an audition at a skate park in Brazil. Then Cirque invited me (and some of my friends) to a second audition where I had to imitate really funny characters while skating.
Q. WHAT KIND OF AN EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR AUDITION AND/OR TRAINING AND/OR WORKSHOP?
In my audition, I had to do a lot of crazy acting that I had never done before and never thought I would have to do. The training at Cirque was crazy from a skater’s perspective… I felt like I was a Ninja. Also, we did free running, trampoline and acting.
Q. HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO IN MONTREAL AND IN THE SHOW?
I really felt like I was in the right place surrounded by a lot of energetic people with different talents. Also, I really learned a lot as a performer and improved my skating abilities as well.
Q. HOW DOES BEING PART OF A CIRQUE DU SOLEILSHOW ALLOW YOU TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?
In skating competitions I had to perform, but it’s definitely not like acting. Here I can do whatever—be silly and have fun on stage.
Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
I love being around so many good people with different talents and to be able to learn and grow as an acrobat.
Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO BETWEEN YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?
I miss competing but this is a new and different challenge—I’m competing with myself and pushing my own limits.
Q. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AN ARTIST TO JOIN CIRQUE?
Cirque is an amazing company to work for and will open doors for your future!
Q. HOW IS LIFE IN LAS VEGAS?
Las Vegas is open 24 hours so you can have fun any time of the day!
Q. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
Cirque is much more fun than I ever thought it would be. And as an artist, you are contributing to making an incredible show that much better!
MELISSA URBANO
Australia | Wushu
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT PRIOR TO JOINING?
I won 4 karate World Championship titles in 2009 and in 2013 in different events in Point Fighting, Traditional and Extreme Forms.
Q. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR ATHLETIC BACKGROUND PREVIOUS TO JOINING CIRQUE?
I started karate at the age of 6 and competed professionally at a high level at the age of 17. One year earlier, I got into acrobatics, which complemented my martial arts skills. I began teaching different skills to people of all ages at martial arts seminars. I was managing 3 martial arts schools in my hometown, Melbourne. Getting into stunt work and training specifically for film fighting lead me to perform in some short films and having interest in KÀ.
Q. WHEN DID YOU JOIN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
In September 2013
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION? WHAT WAS THE CONTEXT?
My husband Phil Kismartoni and his brother Peter where already working as performers in KÀ. This show was the first Cirque show I ever saw and I was blown away by it. I never imagine that I could be a part of something so extraordinary at the time.
Q. WHAT KIND OF AN EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR AUDITION?
I was visiting my husband in Las Vegas after competing at the ISKA US Open World Championships in Orlando (FL), when the Casting team emailed my husband to check if I was interested in doing an audition. I was leaving to go home to Australia the following day, but since I was interested they were able to arrange a specific audition on my way to the airport. Just after landing in Australia, I got a call from them announcing me that I had been selected. Not long after, I was back in Las Vegas to start my dream job.
Q. HOW DID YOUR INTEGRATION GO IN THE SHOW?
At times, it was nerve-racking to learn acrobatics acts and to be performing at 60 feet in the air was something completely new to me. I never thought I would learn so much, thanks to that the integrating was a success.
Q. HOW DOES BEING PART OF A CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW ALLOW YOU TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?
In KÀ, a fight scene is not just kicks and punches. There is a story to be told. Character and intentions are vital to bring a scene to life; therefore it allows us to express ourselves on a deeper level.
Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
It feels very much like a family environment, which helps since a lot of us are so far from home. I also love to perform and inspire audiences.
Q. HOW DID THE TRANSITION GO BETWEEN YOUR FORMER CAREER TO YOUR CURRENT CIRQUE CAREER?
It was a big change from running a martial arts school, coaching and competing to performing on stage 2 shows per night, 5 days a week. By working with high level performers form all around the world, my skills improved, I learn a lot about entertainment and also about other cultures.
Q. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AN ARTIST TO JOIN CIRQUE?
The experience of performing on stage with a strong team working together to entertain an international audience is a unique feeling. Performing a live show every day is challenging but at the end of a representation when you hear the applause, it is very rewarding.
Q. HOW IS LIFE IN LAS VEGAS?
I love my life here. I am happy and healthy, I have a dream job and I get to perform on stage with my husband every night. Besides the bright lights and casinos, there are many outdoor adventures nearby.
MICHAEL JOSEPH HACHEY
United States | Strings/Bass Guitar Bass/Double bass
Q. YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR PRE-CIRQUE CAREER?
Performing in Neil Berg’s Broadway review show “Holiday On Broadway”.
Q. TELL US ABOUT YOUR ARTISTIC BACKGROUND BEFORE JOINING CIRQUE.
I started playing the French horn at age 11, which gave me an orchestral background. Soon after, I discovered bass through friends and community programs, and began performing as an upright and electric bassist playing many different styles in many different groups.
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION?
I joined Cirque du Soleil in 2011. I was actively searching for jobs and found an open call for an audition for bass players on Craigslist. I recorded a couple of songs and sent in my video demo. I waited patiently for over 2 years and finally received a call from a Talent Scout seeking me to practice the rockabilly style of upright playing in order to prepare for a live audition in Las Vegas for the Viva ELVIS show.
Q. HOW WAS THE AUDITION EXPERIENCE?
In the live audition, I was treated like royalty. I met a few members of the Cirque family and everyone had big smiles on their faces the whole time I was playing. Just auditioning was a really rewarding experience. Everyone was so receptive. It was amazing.
Q. WHAT WAS IT LIKE INTEGRATING INTO THE SHOW?
It was a pretty easy process making the transition into the show. Even from day one, everyone on the team was very helpful and welcoming. The main idea is to concentrate on your art and what you are bringing to the show. The band and the entire cast came to me with open arms when I arrived.
Q. IS WORKING AT CIRQUE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU HAD IMAGINED?
It wasn’t exactly like I was thinking… I thought I was going to be hidden behind a curtain with a music stand. However, one of the greatest things about Cirque is how live musicians are incorporated into their shows. It’s so special to have the interaction between artists and musicians; getting cues, reading what’s going on in the show and getting to play into it. Cirque really respects live musicians and performers.
Q. HOW HAS BEING PART OF A CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW ALLOWED YOU TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?
For me, performing with Cirque du Soleil as a musician has been unique and very different from anything I have ever done before. I really enjoy this style of work and the schedule of performances. I feel as if I have a character in the show, and I get to have a personality on stage. It’s challenging and rewarding. Seeing this whole other world of circus arts, dance and acrobatics is incredibly inspiring and exciting to be a part of.
Q. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL?
Being a part of the family and learning from everyone around me. They are all specialists and they really are the best at what they do. I have learned so much from the diverse cast.
Q. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THAT AN ARTIST JOIN CIRQUE?
We get to share our musical voice while having the chance to work with the best people in the business. From the sound crew to the technicians to the artists, everyone brings their specialty to the table to collectively make the show an amazing experience. Cirque offers a unique show experience unlike anything out there today.
Q. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE OR SUGGESTION TO YOUNG MUSICIANS?
Hold on to your passion for music and your art, whatever it may be. Give Cirque a chance and go for an audition; you never know if your unique talents will fit perfectly in a show. Cirque du Soleil is actively looking for talented musicians too, not just acrobats and dancers. After over two years of waiting, I was sure that they had forgotten about me. But Cirque and Casting have shown me that they really do look at every applicant and I was finally chosen for a show. If you are a specialist with a unique background in music and you are passionate about what you do, send in your application.
Q. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES HAS CIRQUE GIVEN YOU?
Cirque gave me a tremendous opportunity to make a fulfilling career out of my unique skills as a musician. Becoming a part of this family has been such a rewarding experience for me. As a musician, it really is unlike anything else!
Stay tuned for more pieces of this series coming soon! In Part Four: Miho Kono (Synchronized swimming), Miro Lacasse (Physical Actors), Noriko Takahashi (Diverse abilities), Odmaa Bayartsogt (Other disciplines), and Oleksandr Pylypenko (Athletes). In Part Five: Paulo Lorador (Balancing), PJ Bogart (Diving), Raphaël Sanchez (Keyboards), Ross Gibson (Tumbling), and Sabú Alegría (Wheels). And in the final installment: Suo Liu (Martial arts), Tumelo “Michael” Moloi (Other dance styles), Vanessa Convery (Jazz & Tap dance), Zara Tellander (Female vocals), and Zeng jiao JIAN (Martial arts).
