Fastcompany.com has an interesting excerpt from a new book by authors Mehrdad Baghai and James Quigley – As One: Individual Action, Collective Power – that examines the artistry and teamwork of Cirque du Soleil.
There is no “cookie cutter” approach to Cirque–the combined work of the performers, directors, and backstage crew add up to a show that’s never been seen before. Multiculturalism, peace, mythology, joy or isolation, power, water, color, burlesque, martial arts, and vaudeville –the endless list of Cirque’s themes toys with the imagination.
The success of Cirque du Soleil, however, is not based on unbridled creativity. The diverse team brings a wealth of creative ideas to the initial development phase, but thereafter it’s about discipline and hard work. Taking a production from concept to stage takes years. Kà–showing at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas–took four years and cost $165 million to conceive, cast, design, train, and produce.
Read the excerpt here.
{ SOURCE: FastCompany.com }
