Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Behind the curtain: Faces of Cirque du Soleil

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

      • 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.

    • 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

      • 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), "Alegria" 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

    • 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.

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