Have you ever dreamed about joining the circus?
Well you no longer have to run away from home – there’s a modern way to get a job under the ‘big top’ – and that is to go to circus school.
In Calgary, it’s called Flip Factory. Tyler Ayres is the school’s artistic director and a third generation performer.
“Starting with my grandmother, who originally trained with the Moscow circus, and then my mom and dad met in Cirque du Soleil in a show called La Nouba. And then later one of my sister’s and I were in Cirque du Soleil,” recalls Ayres.
Productions like Cirque du Soleil are constantly looking for talented performers – circus ‘naturals’, according to Ayres.
“We call it stage face – it’s that presence if they can own the stage and step forward,” said Ayres.
“It’s looking into their eyes and being able to engage the audience, which I learned at a young age with my parents, being able to engage the audience and share your gift with them.”
“Anybody can throw some make up on and do a triple back flip.”
Ava Cochlan has had the circus bug for as long as she can remember.
“When I was four I went to see Alegria with my parents, and that was the day I decided that was what I wanted to do . I said mom, that’s where I am going and ever since then that’s just been the dream,” said Cochlan.
Sean Heisler says he wouldn’t hesitate to put his real job on hold, if it meant joining Cirque du Soleil.
“100 per cent – there is only a certain period of time in your life when you can consider circus as part of your life and for me its an incredible passion and a great way to perform and inspire,”said Heisler.
So far, no one from the school has broken through yet. But Cochlan is only 15, and Cirque doesn’t hire anyone under the age of 18.
“I feel I am very close. I know there is always room for improvement and I think I could always do better – but in my heart I think I am almost there,” said Cochlan.
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