Behind The Scenes With Cirque du Soleil's Superhuman Performers
Vložit
- čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
- Watch the next video to learn more about Obama's speech writer: • Meet the Speechwriter ...
Subscribe! czcams.com/users/seekerstori...
Join the Seeker community!
Twitter: / seekernetwork
Facebook: pages/Seeker...
Instagram: / seekernetwork
Tumblr: / seekernetwork
App - iOS seekernetwork.com/ios
App - Android seekernetwork.com/android
Since it was founded in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has created a vast number of dynamic and jaw-dropping shows that redefine the modern circus. One of the entertainment company's most formidable shows is KÀ, which has been running since 2004 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cirque du Soleil recruits top artists from around the world to audition and perform in their shows. Artists compete for highly coveted positions and for many, it is their dream to be on the stage in a Cirque du Soleil production.
For a production of KÀ, there are 14 acts, 80 artists, and over 300 people working behind the scenes. The Los Angeles Times called it the most technologically advanced show in Western theater, incorporating hydraulics, moving stages, pyrotechnics, and more. Seeker Stories correspondent Laura Ling went backstage to interview five artists from the cast. What kind of rituals did each artist use to prepare and remain focused for such advanced, breath-taking stunts?
All of the artists have their own way of preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally to go on stage. For artist Noriko Takahashi, who uses a baton in may of her scenes, practice is essential - even after performing in the show for 11 years. "If I can trust myself," she explains, "I feel more free on the stage. It makes my performance better."
For other performers, it is important to connect the mind with the body through various exercises. "I do skipping rope and I do all sorts of juggling," said capoeira artist Gabryel Nogueira da Silva. With as complex of a production as KÀ, it's also important to connect with other members of the cast. "When there's other people warming up in the same room as me, I try to play with them. I think that's my main goal of the ritual. It is to be connected to the other people that are around me so we can deliver the final result together."
One of the audience's favorite acts, which features the Wheel of Death, takes immense preparation and focus for it's star performers, the Alegría brothers, Francisco and Sabu.
"My brother and I, we are not attached to any safety because you have to be free to be able to really perform. Anything can happen in blink of an eye," said Francisco. So the brothers often play football, or soccer, with each other and other cast members in order to get their adrenaline running. "Every movement is like the wheel," said Sabu. "You run and sometimes, you need to react quickly."
Dan Hong Li, a Chinese opera artist, approaches her warm-up very differently. For her, the important goal is to become calm and focused. Her main ritual involves breathing exercises in the training room before a performance. "Tai Chi gives me a clear mind and positive energy," she explained. Entering into character is also an important step. "When I do my makeup, I just totally, completely relax and focus. I think it's very important."
The cast of KÀ perform the show ten times a week, and even on their days off, they spend many hours conditioning their bodies, eating a focused diet, and concentrating on their routine. It is a lot of hard work, which some of the performers have been doing all of their lives.
Francisco and Sabu Alegría have been in the business for nearly 30 years, and know that staying on top of their craft and remaining dedicated to their work is paramount to safety. "When you want to do something, you have to take it seriously. If you really want to learn," said Francisco, "You have to be disciplined."
Executive Producer: Laura Ling
Producer: Paige Keipper (Hansen)
Cinematographers: Matthew Piniol, Spencer Snider
Editor: Jordan Dertinger
![16x9 | Getting into Cirque Du Soleil [Audition Documentary]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BLouxprAHtQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I love how multicultural Cirque du Soleil is. There are people from both sexes, many nationalities, sexual orientation, religion, and races working and living in harmony, respecting one another. The whole world should be like this.
***** Too bad the rest of the world don't follow
That is honestly what keeps me in circus. You are literally encouraged to be unique and different, while in "regular" schools and work places, you are discouraged to be this way.
Cirque du Soleil is absolutely incredible. Saw one of their shows a few years back. The performances are truly superhuman. This is what circus should be! Not caged animals walking in circles!
i know that cirque doesn't want to share too much footage of shows which is fine, but it would be so cool if they did a show/doco on the training and creation of shows....i would eat that up if it was on netflix. it's regrettable that these amazing performers don't get name recognition from the audience most of the time...i'd love to know about the people behind the masks
Oh my god i love cirque so much i have tutorials of makeup looks from different shows i hope to work for them one day!
J.R FX MUA
good luck with your dream!! i'll check out ur channel ;)
the company behind cirque is massive tho M LT
There was a show called The Fire Within a loong time ago (maybe 2002) that followed a few performers during the creation and production of Varekai. It was great!
thanks! i'll look it up
I have watched this particular show twice now - KA. Mesmerizing each and every time. Surprised me that the baton twirler said people think her craft is easy.. She is AMAZING... cannot look away at her grace and talent. It is hard to stand out in a show so well done, but I love her part so much! I have watched others perform "the wheel of death" type stunts, but not with the emotion by these guys. Could be the lighting, the music, the characters, but they had the entire audience on the edge of their seats. Amazing show!
I was planning a trip and read some reviews of the show and many 1-3 star reviews all said that baton twirling was not a Cirque-level performance. I saw a clip of the performance on youtube and thought it was beautifully performed. There will always be naysayers that are quick to judge the ability of others.
I've seen KA 4x. The wheel of death, seen it with silent audience = hum drum, seen it with applauding/whooping audience ENERGETIC. The performers can hear you.
Every segment has elements that will wow you. Leaving you in awe, wondering how does anyone even come up with that. Just when you start to catch your breath . . . KA takes it away again.
Noriko Takahashi, baton performance, she moves so fluidly and fast by the time you realize what she just did, she is on to another part. Short vids like this allow at least to pause and rewind to catch a bit of her art.
There really isn't an adequate adjective to describe the show. Must be seen, and you still may not believe.
As a stilt walker and a human being, I admire these performers so much.
Alex Gruenenfelder as a fellow stilt walker, I agree
Alex Gruenenfelder
As a person who doesn't take any risk, I'm highly impressed.
As a person who would like to kick the stilts out from under both of the stilt walkers on this comment thread while you are walking on them, I also admire these performers!
Lance Risher
😂
Alex Gruenenfelder
Stilts are just fun to walk on them
Happy New Year to all at Cirque!!!! I've watched you on Public TV back in the 80's and now on the internet and you never cease to amaze me. You just get better and better. I wish I were part of you......... Keep up the good work. Don A.
One performer died performing in Ka. She fell 90 feet into an open pit.
loved this interview!! she had so many nice questions, not just the typical boring questions
Saw the show last night. Words can not describe this show. Everything is perfect! It’s so beautiful and amazing!
One of your best works seeker
I remember watching an HR person from Cirque speak at an AHRI event I was attending in Melbourne years ago and being fascinated by this side of it all. I have yet to see one of their shows but cannot wait until I do ;)
I've been looking for interviews of cirque performers specially the ka casts and finally I see this. I wanna watch any cirque show again!
I absolutely loved this video and really want to see the cirque again!
I saw this a couple of month ago and it was amazing! 100% worth going to.
Ibrahim Zaidi
how much is the ticket?
meanwhile i fall down while getting down the stairs.. great performers though...
I've seen KA 4x . . . so far. The only Cirque show I've ever seen. The batons wow!
The wheel of death, how dangerous? I've seen missteps/slips . . . thankfully no falls.
During the curtain call I get hoarse from trying to show my appreciation as each performer steps forward.
Sometimes I cannot contain my appreciation and let out during performance
Thank you to all KA performers, technicians and behind the scene artists.
KA, tickets seem costly $. But afterwards you will say it was worth it, absolutely!
That was the most terrifying soccer game😂
Cirque du Soleil definetly is the best circus in the world
That's completely magical and surreal
IM GONNA CRY THEY'RE FUCKING AMAZING. SO UNDERRATED. KUDOS TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.
Thanks for watching everyone! The Cirque performers are so awe-inspiring. Every show just blows me away. It was so eye-opening to learn about their daily rituals that help them get in the zone and ready to hit the stage. I'd love to hear your suggestions for people we can feature on this series. Whose ritual are you curious about? --Laura
Much respect to these people, i saw Circue De Soleil Alegria, It was absolutely breathtaking..
Cuando era niña vi la película trapecio. Se apreciar la cautivante emosion que se apodera de nuestro espíritu y que a veces quisiéramos haber podido ser uno de ustedes. Con toda mi admiración. Bendiciones para todas las compañias del Circo del Sol que Dios esté siempre con ustedes.
Great video!
They are simply awesome ! Love their performance and music. I have seen KA four times already. Absolutely love it !
I watched KA recently and it's so phenomenal to watch that
Great work.
I saw that show when I went to Las Vegas. It is amazing!
What an amazing world to live in
I have been to 3 different shows and these performers are bar none the best in the world at what they do!!!!!
Such talent!
Love love love love. This made me appreciate them even more than I already do.
Saw them tonight Tallahassee fl 2020 First time ever. At some point you start saying to yourself their just not human.WOW!
Anybody knows the title and/or the artist of the songs in this video? are amazing. Thanks. Very great and inspirational document
This is amazing
They are absolutely brilliant. Things like this make me remember how incredible people can be.
Most amazing show ive ever seen
this really makes me want to see it wow
This is very good. Look to a real tv program. Greetz from Holland.
Was this originally filmed with interview audio and then (maybe due to Cirque Du Soleil) was re-uploaded or edited with music playing over the actual interviews? I can heard weird scrambly sounds under the music and the footage seems incomplete and unsatisfying with just the music and no actual conversations. Confused over here.
Anyone know the name of the guy in green with flute?
I went to see kà and it was amazing
They really are super human ❤
Emma Rose Smith honestly its just a crazy amount of training, the only real diffrence is that we enforce the mindset of doing something over and over and over failing over and over and over
Cirque is amazing.
They are very cool
I know a lot of people want all of the shows to be on dvds and streaming services, (This is just a theory) But I think that if they did that, it would take away some of the revenue from the live shows, because everyone would just be able to see them from home.
They have a dvd of ka from 2005 I think, and they have an ost cd too.
Lovee this
Gabryel es tan bello!
imagine the breakouts they get from that makeup
They do... they’re still human beings! And being THAT fit with that amount of stress daily can really mess up your hormones and body... but their make-up hides it... (except some people with beautiful skin like those who spoke here)
Unfortunately, this was the production where are performer lost their life.
make up can change a older woman into a 20yr old wow
I can’t believe those guys weren’t attached to safety harnesses. It’s insane!
I got physically tired watching them.
George Rukhaia how tho like you just get energy from doing that kind of stuff
Terrifying job!
My channel!!
What about writing the truth
Emily Schwellenbach what about the truth? Yes there is defenitly more too it but they arent lying, its amazing to be on stage
I love how they are minorities! I wanna see it now
smoshersful what minorities??? You mean international? Lol cirque is based in Canada and people from all over the world are part of it. Just because white people are not in it doesn't mean they are minorities. In fact white people are minorities in other countries if you didn't know lol
I wonder what the 28 folks that thumb down this video have in common?
Gabryel is so hot!!!
first
Dan hong li looks like Ricegums mother
First line of the film is wrong already. Although Kaa is beautiful, it’s of the weakest of the shows