Running Away with Cirque du Soleil1

Abstract

Cirque du Soleil (CdS) entertainment group is a Canadian-based company that creates diverse theatrical circus experiences. On top of producing world-renowned shows, CdS also produces a large variety of entertainment forms such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, theme parks, concerts, and special events. The stage management operations of a show can be divided into two main parts, the preparation that takes place during the first half of day, followed by running two shows at night. Perception and perspective come into play often when things don’t go as planned. Running a perfect CdS show is not a challenge—the challenge comes in the contingency moments, and in the constant state of mental preparedness the peoples must be in to deal with potential issues. As stage managers, they should know a little bit about a lot of things, but in a time of crisis or contingency, it becomes necessary that the peoples rely on the ones who know more about the “broken thing”.