CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S ‘Saltimbanco’ comes to the Sprint Center this week. The show is Cirque’s longest running tour.
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Veteran Cirque show stays strong
By: Kurt Kloeblen, Staff writer
Cirque Du Soleil’s avant-garde circus act has firmly stamped its presence on the pop culture scene.
Another Cirque Du Soleil tour comes to town this week when Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Saltimbanco’ plays today through Sunday at the Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd. Call 931-3330 or visit sprintcenter.com for ticket information.
Michael Ocampo is Saltimbanco’s acrobatics coach and has been a part of Cirque du Soleil since 1993. Ocampo performed in the show, Cirque’s longest-running show, from 1993 to 1998 and has been the acrobatics coach for the show since 2004.
Ocampo said since Saltimbanco has been around for a while, crowds will see more traditional circus acts with Cirque flair.
“One thing people notice is the lack of technology you would see in some of our permanent shows,” he said. “In those other shows, the stage is moving and things are flying. Here, if they need a piece of equipment on stage, they pick up and take it on stage. It’s closer to traditional circuses. We use traditional disciplines.”
Ocampo said most of the performers come from acrobatic backgrounds, including some who have been world champions.
“All of them come from a high level of sports,” he said. “Some have been world champions or in huge competitions, the Olympics. They also have many years of expertise, anywhere from six to 20 years.”
New performers come into the show each year and go through a training regimen in Montreal before they are sent out with the touring act.
Ocampo said most performers are used to the rigors their bodies must go through on a daily basis.
“It’s the same as someone who’s in a high level of gymnastics,” he said. “They come from that area, so they become used to the amount of training and acrobatics. They’ve been doing that their whole life.”
During shows Ocampo often goes over performances with the performers. He also works the safety wire for some acts, playing the safety man on the other end of the wire should someone fall.
Ocampo said he recently had the chance to sit in the crowd and watch the show and get new perspective on the production.
“It reminded me of why I like this show so much,” he said. “It reminded me of the first time I ever saw the show in Toronto. I was just sitting on the edge of my seat with my jaw open. I watched last week and I remembered that.”
Ocampo said Cirque du Soleil has created a series of shows that combine aspects of many types of performances.
“What Cirque tries to do today is combine traditional circus elements with modern-day theater, choreography, live singers, lighting, design, costumes,” he said. “We try to make it something you haven’t seen before. In that sense it’s a unique experience.”
As a performer and coach, Ocampo said he cannot choose one standout act or favorite part of the show.
“There really is something for everyone,” he said.
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Another Cirque Du Soleil tour comes to town this week when Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Saltimbanco’ plays today through Sunday at the Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd. Call 931-3330 or visit sprintcenter.com for ticket information.
Michael Ocampo is Saltimbanco’s acrobatics coach and has been a part of Cirque du Soleil since 1993. Ocampo performed in the show, Cirque’s longest-running show, from 1993 to 1998 and has been the acrobatics coach for the show since 2004.
Ocampo said since Saltimbanco has been around for a while, crowds will see more traditional circus acts with Cirque flair.
“One thing people notice is the lack of technology you would see in some of our permanent shows,” he said. “In those other shows, the stage is moving and things are flying. Here, if they need a piece of equipment on stage, they pick up and take it on stage. It’s closer to traditional circuses. We use traditional disciplines.”
Ocampo said most of the performers come from acrobatic backgrounds, including some who have been world champions.
“All of them come from a high level of sports,” he said. “Some have been world champions or in huge competitions, the Olympics. They also have many years of expertise, anywhere from six to 20 years.”
New performers come into the show each year and go through a training regimen in Montreal before they are sent out with the touring act.
Ocampo said most performers are used to the rigors their bodies must go through on a daily basis.
“It’s the same as someone who’s in a high level of gymnastics,” he said. “They come from that area, so they become used to the amount of training and acrobatics. They’ve been doing that their whole life.”
During shows Ocampo often goes over performances with the performers. He also works the safety wire for some acts, playing the safety man on the other end of the wire should someone fall.
Ocampo said he recently had the chance to sit in the crowd and watch the show and get new perspective on the production.
“It reminded me of why I like this show so much,” he said. “It reminded me of the first time I ever saw the show in Toronto. I was just sitting on the edge of my seat with my jaw open. I watched last week and I remembered that.”
Ocampo said Cirque du Soleil has created a series of shows that combine aspects of many types of performances.
“What Cirque tries to do today is combine traditional circus elements with modern-day theater, choreography, live singers, lighting, design, costumes,” he said. “We try to make it something you haven’t seen before. In that sense it’s a unique experience.”
As a performer and coach, Ocampo said he cannot choose one standout act or favorite part of the show.
“There really is something for everyone,” he said.