He arrived in the U.S. in October 2019, an aerial hoops artist whose act requires him to spin like a top, high above the stage. "Kids if you want to come to Cirque, you still have to come to school," she said with a laugh. In conclusion, we think that cirque du Soleil can face the possible challenges of the future by being innovative and creative and by maintaining its acknowledgement of ethical perspective and reaffirming its ethical brand?s values and its positive image. Definitely, Cirque du Soleil has challenged the assumptions of the industry (between traditional circus and this one) and thats remarkable. Las Vegas might be charbroiling now, but at Ski Lodge in The Cosmopolitan, every day is a snow day. These projects can be divided in three parts depending on the actions. www.cirquedusoleil.com. Loukas Kosmidis, a dancer on the Michael Jackson Tour, was talking with friends when he landed on a novel idea. "We don't want to lose the muscle we have to do a good show," he said. Many eventually got help through the federal governments temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. Jonelle DeBlanc, 41, joined O in December as a wardrobe supervisor handling the shows elaborate costumes: The outfits are luscious, layered and mind-blowing in their beautiful richness. Mostly, though, they were just bored. In the last aspect, the founder of the Le Cirque du Solei, Guy Lalibert?, has his own foundation called ONE DROP. The founder was Guy Lalibert? Hulett, 38, a Montana native who plays a James Bond character in Zumanity, called the dialogue an inside joke. That doesnt stop Cirque artists from guessing. People were upset., As news of the pandemic worsened, Lauzon and fellow O performers came perilously close to both the audience and one another. Bosses confirmed their fears: Beginning that day, March 15, the companys six resident shows would switch off their stage lights. The list is long.. its gone. And nobody still knows.. They were all going dark, joined eventually by the entire Strip. We believe that if they keep working as today?s they will be able to overcome all the difficult situations that may appear in the future because it has several competitive advantages that differentiate it from its competitors: the talent of its workers; the creativity, originality and high quality of its shows and its social responsible conviction. That's not to say there's no competition or stress, but the competition is between friends and colleagues and the stress mostly comes from internally wanting to be perfect, not externally. Were seeing little changes, facial expressions and how hes discovering his voice, Kosmidis said. "We are in the artistic tent, the tent right behind the stage," said Marjon Van Grunsven, artistic director for OVO. They gave advice, passed on news of employment prospects and showed off pictures of children, including snapshots of Lauzons 3-year-old daughter, Maia. In that way the company provides good work conditions by no discrimination, good salary packets, respecting the individual opinions and recognizing the work of the individual. Checks were soon sent to 21 artists from Canada, Brazil, Ethiopia, France, Ukraine, Russia and Mongolia. Backstage at the circus may sound like a recipe for chaos; but while the inside of the tents on that side is definitely a working area, it's not a zone of mayhem. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto, Inline skater Marco De Santi, formerly wiith "The Beatles Love" show, practices at the Las Vegas Circus Center in June. Cities of operations: 271, http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/home.aspx#/en/home/about.aspx, http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/about/global-citizenship/default.aspx, http://www.workforce.com/section/hr-management/feature/cirque-du-soleils-balancing-act/index.html, http://static01.cirquedusoleil.com/en/~/media/press/PDF/cds/cirque-du-soleil-at-glance.pdf. They have something for everyone and serve 300 meals a day. Many even left their makeup and costumes in their dressing rooms. Were just as valuable as other professions and we deserve to go back to work.. Cirque stayed with its plea that it was a safety issues but settled with the performer to implement a companywide training on discrimination a specials training program for HIV positive employees. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto, Bill May, who performed as a synchronized swimmer for 15 years with "O" by Cirque du Soleil before the shutdown, trains at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in June. Competing, it's all stress and if you screw up that one competition you could be out for the rest of the season," she says. The first one would be a drop of revenues because circus spectacles can be seen as a luxury good that is only affordable as an extra. On the one hand we have the innovation. They have been able to create a show full of magic and emotions through their performances such as acrobatics or juggling, thanks to the courage and efforts of all members of the company. Here are some ways Vegas continues its historic affiliation with The King, which is sure to be a hot topic with the June 24 release of Baz Luhrmanns Elvis biopic. I have buddies who run large equipment and they all laugh at me, he said. Don't miss the big stories. Now co-owner of a company called Show Talent Productions, she expected a handful of acrobats, but once word spread, everyone wanted in. Its as if Pablo Picasso and Tim Burton teamed up to start their own modern fantasy show, inspiring avid fan clubs worldwide. Cirque du soleil inspired me the magic of the circus. But amid the personal trauma, a sense of community has been forged. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto, Elema Sanders practices on aerial straps attached to an out-of-service fire truck at the home of Angelina Puzanova and William Halett during the shutdown. In my opinion, I think people today are satisfied by products and services that are different. But its her eclectic colleagues she misses most. 1. Cirque had other performers who were also HIV positive but they stated that in the case of this performer, the stakes were too high to take a risk. In the daylong shoot, artists played cameo roles spinning, jumping, dancing, just having fun to music that featured the adapted lyrics of the 2016 song Work From Home by the R&B group Fifth Harmony. Over four decades, the spectacle has evolved into the worlds largest contemporary circus, which has visited 300 cities on every continent but Antarctica, before a collective audience of 180 million eager viewers. June 1, 2011 / 10:57 PM My job was the first to go down, while theyre still working. As the weeks passed, Lauzon watched as a dozen struggling colleagues returned to their home nations. asked WCCO-TV Reporter Jason DeRusha. They'll walk into the tent, visit the gift stands and concession, and find their spot to watch the spectacle unfold on stage from their seats in front. I felt like wasted space.. We believe that one of the most important challenges that Cirque du Soleil has to face is to be loyal to its global citizenship principles which are based on establishing arts, business and social initiatives that can contribute to making a better world. Official website: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com, Number of employees: 4000 "I've got to be on the road," said Steve Armstrong, wardrobe supervisor. A winding path along the Peccole Ranch Trail is more than just a verdant swath for walking pets, exercising, or enjoying the considerable shade beneath the leafy canopies. Though shes a burgeoning culinary star, the Top Chef fan favorite still deflects attention like a tennis pro returning serve even from some family members. Altemeyers P-1 visa status is just as unsettling: Already living paycheck to paycheck before the shutdown, hes not entitled to unemployment and cant work for anyone other than Cirque. For many performers, Cirque represents their second or third career after the Olympics or the National Ballet, said R.J. Owens, a comedian who portrays Bebe Francois in Cirques Mystere. They have a built-in training ethic. There's also an on-site school for a couple performers (who are 15 or 16-years-old) and the children of other performers and crew members. The most central is a warm-up area, with mats for the performers to warm-up and train on. It was built to obstruct the view of other casinos. In conclusion, we really trust on Cirque?s du Soleil ethical projects because its global citizenship principles are based on the conviction that arts, business and social initiatives can, together, contribute to making a better world. and be social responsible in contributing to a better world. So, for all of this I have chosen this company and because it inspires me a great overcomes power. Once his contract ends, he has 30 days to leave the U.S. This is the most uncertain time in my life, he said. Nobody knew then. The three-minute video starts with two men arriving at an industrial site. I was really beginning to struggle, Altemeyer said. And because O is an aquatic show, they all get wet.. The values for me are "continuous effort that can reach planned targets and other". Early on, she contacted Altemeyer, who first passed on financial help, insisting that others were in more dire need. / CBS Minnesota. So therefore, Cirque du Soleil has implemented a ?coaching system? "We have cooks that travel with us, it's a team of four cooks," said Lecuyer. Even if Cirque returned, would a reorganized company kill off less-popular shows, ending the artistic dreams of countless artists? In order to achieve its purpose, inspite of making any cash, merchandise or sponsorship donations, it has created several ehtical projects that are considered as a step forward to a change in making business. Have you had the chance to see the Cirque du Soleil? So long away from the stage, the Cirque cast misses the camaraderie of people they have come to consider family. Some 750 artists working directly for Cirque immediately lost their income. Another ethical issue the company is addressing is the HR practices. Copyright 2019 Las Vegas Review-Journal, Inc. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service, Shutdown brings perilous turns for Cirque performers, Elema Sanders practices on aerial straps attached to an out-of-service fire truck at the home of Angelina Puzanova and William Halett in Las Vegas. Just off the costume department is the shoe tent; it's dedicated to repairing and rebuilding shoes from the ground up. That is why Cirque du Soleil is involved in global issues like the fight against poverty in nearly eighty communities, in over twenty countries on five continents. The walk from the warm-up/training/dressing area to the area directly backstage is surprisingly small, with just a short hallway. Many of the performers have been with the show since the beginning, but they're not just dialing it in. For the same reason I think they have been so successful around the world, the combination of these elements that make this company an example in showbiz. It's also a very international place backstage. First published on June 1, 2011 / 10:57 PM. The backstage area is actually relativelysmall for such a big performance (there are 53 performers and a total 133 members onthe team)broken up into a few different spaces. Im ready.. Most of us here at Cirque are lucky enough to have access to government help during this difficult time, the site reads. Also included in the local job cuts was the 50-member Blue Man Group. The cooks are from all around the world, just like the performers. Once we were let go, we got no communication from the company, said Bill May, a 41-year-old synchronized swimmer for O, who as a competitive swimmer won 14 U.S. national titles and nearly 20 international titles. The second one is that in crisis times people wants to forget all their problems and in that sense, Cirque du Soleil can provide them the possibility to dream and to be involved in a magic world in where problems are not present for a while. The 40-year-old acrobat joined O last year on a restricted P-1 visa, hired to catch flying trapeze artists like Lauzon. In other words, the simple fact of being able to make money by offering people something unique and responsible and that these people will love what you do is motivating. Should they pursue alternative careers? ", Sign in or register for your free account, An inside look backstage at one of Cirque du Soleil's most famous shows, Everyone loves cherry blossom season in Vancouver (PHOTOS), Behind the scenes with the Vancouver Canadians: Dusting off Nat Bailey Stadium for the new season (PHOTOS), This massive Lower Mainland flower festival is back this spring. Even though the costumes are created in Montreal, the wear-and-tear that happens over time means repairs are needed on the road, and they need to fit perfectly. That inspires me to this company are their values, already their workers are the main actors and representing these values. Moreover there are employees within the company from fifty nationalities who speak twenty five different languages so that it gives a multicultural dimension to the business and also a better understanding of the world. They enjoy the extra time with family, trying new routines that have nothing to do with Cirque. On the other hand, another thing that inspires me to this company is the values. We have choose Cirque du Soleil because is a company that ?makes us dream? Cirque du Soleil is a company which was launched in 1984 in order to give response to Quebec?s citizens who wanted to celebrate the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier?s discovery of Canada. Jih, 38, hanging upside down from a practice contraption, disagreed. We knew viewers and cast could be affected, she said. Therefore, depending on the consequences of the economic crisis Cirque du Soleil will be required to establish one strategy or another one but without forgetting its main core competences: ?make people dream? "But it's nice to know they trust me, and that's what I take on stage with me.". The questions were endless: How would they survive? The move marooned some 1,300 Cirque performers and support cast who hail from across the world an ensemble of singers, musicians, character actors, clowns, aerialists, trampoline and trapeze artists, synchronized swimmers and divers, as well as a support platoon of wardrobe consultants, carpenters and electricians. He said the company offered a one-time payment of $2,000 to 70 foreign-born artists without legal status who did not immediately qualify for unemployment insurance. Luba Kazantseva and Loukas Kosmidis are doting on their infant son Theodoros, who at less than a year old already can balance on his fathers outstretched hand. Many of the 600 show technicians including riggers and carpenters employed by MGM Resorts International were provided an extra two weeks pay. The video was included on a Go Fund Me page that helped raise money for struggling colleagues, but that wasnt all. For nearly three monthsthis spring a huge blue tent will sit on the shore of False Creek. This originality of making business has caught our attention to analyse its main aspects. Perhaps no one felt more isolated than Lucas Altemeyer, a 31-year-old Brazilian who was among 40 performers hired last year when Cirque expanded O to seven days a week. The first fusion restaurants born in the 70s sometimes served up more confusion than anything else. Maybe their services are focused on a more adult audience, but neither is excluded young audiences. Cirque focuses on these performers? Cirque du Soleil aerialist Caroline Lauzon still shudders over the springtime meeting as she would a tense performance mishap, the moment her life dangled precariously during a complicated onstage maneuver gone awry. The last one is the merchandising of products related with its shows. If they don't train that daily, it's like not putting oil in the car to keep rolling," she said. Annual revenue: C$ 850 million In this way, they help these performers post-Cirque future. There are almost 100 different costumes in the show, with more than 530 different pieces. Like us on Facebook. Still, many fans in Las Vegas and elsewhere dont consider them strangers. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto, Loukas Kosmidis, a dancer who performed on the Michael Jackson Tour, with his wife, Luba Kazantseva, who was an aerialist in "Mystere," and son Theodoros at Sunset Park in Las Vegas. Basically all workers are like a big family, so all are respected. Workplace Theyre not going to let their bodies go to waste.. At first, Lauzon kept in touch with colleagues via a private chat room. He called Cirque performer friends Angelina Puzanova and her husband, William Hulett, who ran Show Talent Productions. Im not going to risk going home to Brazil. But also this circus has successfully reinvented the circus. "It's such a different environment compared to competing. Whether I like about this company is that no workers could not do anything and so the care and let them investigate new show for that to surprise their customers. Theyre Las Vegans.. It's a place of work, but for a very specialized job. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it came from a disaster.. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The warm-up zone is a common area for members of the troupe. "It's really unique; Cirque Du Soleil really takes care of us," says Sydney Brown, one of the Canadian performers, who specializes in the powertrack. Lohse and fellow Love acrobat Tristan Jih have a bet over when theyll be back. I came to see these guys, he said, pointing to two aerialists practicing a spinning high-wire act, standing near a sign that read, Unattended children will be sold to the circus., I spend more time with these guys than I do my own family, he added. Each is handmade, and they have the materials to recreate them on scene with just the basic materials. The Las Vegas performers knew their city would be next. Some interactions, she said, broke her heart. The back tent also has small private areas, and a common space with a couch and TVs, which can be used to relax or review video. But my, how things have changed. Trapeze Las Vegas owners Stephen and Lisa Cote donated their studio so O aerialists could practice. As we have seen it is not only a profitable circus offering high quality performances that makes us dream, it is considering ethical aspects because it truly believes in the possibility of making a better world. Not only O, but Ka at the MGM Grand, Love at The Mirage, Mystere at Treasure Island, Zumanity at New York-New York and Michael Jackson One at Mandalay Bay. One of the main purposes is to encourage and promote the potential of young people that is living in bad situations of marginality and exclusion. I mean, the opportunity to live a unique experience in the world of entertainment, specifically in the circus. I mean, its really inspiring being able to offer a unique experience to people developing it as a business. Its environmental policy is addressed to deal with air quality and climate change, waste management and hazardous waste disposal and water management. The second one is the organization of private gathering and public events like Expo Zaragoza 2008. Furthermore, as mentioned in the study, they have workers from all over the world, with different cultures, and despite these differences, they are like a large family. They have 3 headquarters in the world (Amsterdam, Montreal and Las Vegas) which handles the overall HR activities. Companywide, 3,500 people lost their jobs. Also, due to the fact that Cirque du Soleil is in all parts of the countries, it is hard to have a centralized management system due to the fact that every country has its own rules and legislation. Were looking on the bright side instead of stressing ourselves out.. Even though you could see it coming, its still a shock. she says. I understand how people can feel adrift, he said. Just two things that define these two concepts are innovation and values. This is my dream. Were performers. At my very first show, I felt like I was colorblind, suddenly emerging in this world of Technicolor, like Dorothy landing in Oz, he said. 4. The actual crisis situation that is present worldwide can result in two different consequences. I miss those people., One evening in late June, Hungarian-born veteran circus performer Jozsef Tokar arrived at a private practice at a gym called Trapeze Las Vegas, his right arm and shoulder wrapped in a sling from a show mishap. On Wednesday, Lecuyer spent an hour on stage training to back up the main character. who had been part of a theatre troupe from Baie-Saint-Paul, a village located at east of Quebec City. Cirque du Soleil, or Circus of the Sun, is a live performance phenomenon started in 1984 in the provincial Quebec city of Baie-Saint-Paul with the antics of two quirky street performers. And theyre doing what they can to help. In Las Vegas, Cirques six shows played to 9,500 people a day, becoming one of the Strips biggest performance draws. How a couple of young Las Vegas grocery store workers met and helped break dance music in America. Every year, an amount equivalent to 1% of Cirque du Soleil earnings is given various cultural and social action programs managed by Cirque, as well as to the One Drop Foundation. During that time, tens of thousands of fans will go and see a performance of Alegria, one of the most famous Cirque du Soleil shows. In June, the Strips pre-eminent production company filed for bankruptcy, in part because of losses from coronavirus-related shutdowns, a move that left its future in question. By continuing to browse or by clicking I Accept Cookies you agree to the storing of first-party and third-party cookies on your device and consent to the disclosure of your personal information to our third party service providers or advertising partners to optimize your experience, analyze traffic and personalize content. Sunday 5 June 2011, by Denise Edwards, Married to fellow Cirque performer Marco De Santi, who is a skater in the The Beatles Love show, and with a young daughter to support, Lauzon was wracked with anxiety. Its a challenge in the beginning to spin that fast, he said. In this part, Cirque du Soleil has established several projects for the society. Environment "We're running a lot, doing a lot of flips, trying to amaze everyone.". Your guess is as good as mine, Nickel said. Some of the male performers have spent their mornings in the Twin Cities hitting the golf courses. Gray McCarty, 30, a member of the Hardcore Cirque Fans social media site, contributed to fundraising efforts and emailed company officials imploring them to do more for struggling artists. They couldnt know then that the shutdown would drag on for months. The company has had an imporant internationalization and nowadays it performs around the world being successful wherever they go, a proof of that is that approximately fifteen million people will see its shows in 2011. "I started gymnastics when I was 1.5 years old and when I was looking at my contract I saw Acro Poleand actually had to ask 'What is this?'" 2. invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world.? "You're amazed by the crazy acrobatic skills, right? Still, many Cirque performers felt abandoned. And were not sure if there will be a new owner, or when.. I wanted her to have her dream of living in the U.S. for just a few more hours.. The performers of the circus are one of the most important parts of the show and due to the fact that performers don not have a steady job in entertainment, they can be here today and gone by the next tour. We feel that Le Cirque du Soleil its a really ethical company because there are many aspects that demonstrate it. Many artists now practice under the stars, not the stage lights. With little contact or guidance from bosses, theyd been set adrift, forced to rely on colleagues for encouragement and information. The term we use in Canada is temporary layoff, Cirque du Soleil Vice President Matt Nickel said. Therefore, Cirque du Soleil has decentralized its management system which every country has its own rules and regulations. Cirque Du Soleil is in town for nearly a month. "We sometimes speak 11 languages a day," says publicist Francis Jalbert. Wednesday night was the 769th performance of OVO. "It can be! Much like the blossoms that burst forth on the branch only to flutter away weeks later, the traditional Japanese sweet known as ichigo daifuku is an ethereal bite available only in the spring and summertime. Others hang out in their apartments, rented for the three weeks the show runs. The work environment has a great influence on employees quality of life, family lives and health, and that is why Cirque du Soleil seeks to establish an open, secure, creative and welcoming setting for its employees. One of the ethical issues this company is facing and was facing was a discriminatory lawsuit with one of the performers in the circus who tested HIV positive and who was laid off due to the fact of the dangers of the job performing (high risk of injury) and possibly infecting others while on the job. Puzanova is a third-generation member of a famous Russian circus family who won a Gold Clown at the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo. Undoubtedly what inspires me most about this company is its value proposition. Lauzon has a real estate license to fall back on. I worked 10 years for this chance, Silva said. Moreover, it has to take into account economic crisis. But the floor-catcher in O, wasnt going to stay away. for which they help these performers follow their dreams after they are done with their tours. And is that Cirque du Soleil has managed like any audience who likes fun, art and fantasy. There are some married couples working on the show, according to Van Grunsven. There is a constant effort and common respect among all workers because they are the main actors and represent these values. He has to keep track of 2,500 different pieces of costume. Please enter valid email address to continue. 3. Business partners and suppliers Were all in a holding pattern.. Brazilian Marcos Silva also got help. Brown, who's been with the show since August 2021, says the vibe of the area backstage is much more relaxed than competitive gymnastics, which she'd done for years before. There are 160 people traveling with the show, but only 56 of them are performers. Days later, as he packed to return to Brazil, he already was planning his next move. Apart from that, Cirque du Soleil has to face the challenge of continuing with international expansion while offering its creators the freedom to dream the wildest dreams and make them come true as well as maintaining its social programs. http://www.workforce.com/section/hr-management/feature/cirque-du-soleils-balancing-act/index.html There is a trampoline in the artistic tent to practice on as well as weights and a gym for the performers to stay in shape. Wed swim to islands and along the coast. It wasnt intended to inspire imitators and ultimately change the face of the Strip. It was all going well, and then poof! Thats easy to forget.. Im going to need help soon.. http://static01.cirquedusoleil.com/en/~/media/press/PDF/cds/cirque-du-soleil-at-glance.pdf He heard the news early one morning and sat alone in his living room, absorbing the blow while his wife, Monize, slept in the other room. They couldnt know then that the shutdown would drag on for months, stranding countless performers far from their native countries, prompting many to exist off savings as their resources dwindled.