By Tiffany Thornton

Cirque du Soleil has been enchanting audiences around the globe for decades with its show-stopping performances. The core of Cirque has always been about exploring creativity and wonderment through artistry, acrobatics, costumes, and imagination.

The company’s latest show, Kooza, opens in Vancouver later this month. In the world of Kooza, a lovable yet lonely clown named The Innocent searches for meaning as he journeys through a whimsical kingdom, encountering curious characters along the way. The production combines circus traditions with the art of clowning, along with, of course, incredible acrobatic feats. We caught up with a few members of the cast before opening night under the big top at Concord Pacific Place.

Wei Liang Lin, diabolos performer

How did you end up being a part of Cirque du Soleil? 

Cirque du Soleil was my dream. In 2018, I went to France and won a juggling competition. After that, Cirque du Soleil casting was looking for me. In Taiwan we have to go to the army. So I said, “I can’t go.” At that moment, I was in university. I thought, “What should I do?” So I quit university and went [straight] to the army; I didn’t want to miss the next chance with Cirque. After the army I went to Germany for a performance, and once again Cirque contacted me; they asked me to join the show Quidam in 2012. I was so happy!

Aruna Bataa, hula hoop performer:

You were born in Mongolia and grew up in Brazil in a third-generation circus family. What was that like? 

Yes: my grandpa, my dad, and me were all in the circus. My mom joined the circus, too, when she fell in love with my dad. She was not from a circus environment; she joined at the age of 37. She gave up her job and started following my dad in the circus. My dad and my grandpa, they were like strongmen—they did highwire. Very multitalented men! 

Did you always know that you wanted to be a performer? 

When I was 12 I won an award for the best contortionist in Brazil. When I was four or five, my dad would take me to the circus. I fell in love with contortion—I thought that’s what I wanted to do. I always knew I wanted to become a circus performer, and hula hoops became a secondary passion. When you grow up in a circus environment like I did traveling around, you want to learn many things. You have many options like the trapeze, trampoline, highwire, and more. 

Was it difficult to transition from contortion to hula hoops?

It was difficult to change, because it takes a lot of coordination for hula hoops. With contortion it's a lot of hand balance, and it’s my comfort zone—but hula is fun because you get out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and find the passion. I felt like I had another spark inside. It was fading away with contortion and now it’s fresh. It’s helping me grow my presence as a person, and as an artist. I started working with Kooza in January. It’s a personal connection that I have. It’s the most traditional circus in Cirque du Soleil. At Cirque, we not only have third-generation circus families, but we also have fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-generation families. Kooza feels so special for me. It’s the environment I grew up with. Back to my childhood again. 

Joey Vice, The Trickster

Is it true that when you were younger, you watched the Cirque du Soleil shows on TV? 

I always dreamed of being part of the circus. Not just the performance, but behind the scenes: hair, makeup, lighting. I’ve always loved the production that goes into it—every detail! I’ve always imagined being part of Cirque. I trained every single day as a kid. I trained myself with no formal training. I learned acrobatics, and all the tricks I do I taught myself. 

Were your friends and family surprised when you landed one of the main roles as The Trickster? 

It was unexpected because I am 19. I auditioned for one role in a Cirque show when I was not even 18, and I didn’t get it. The next year I was training and focusing on myself. Then out of nowhere, I got an email and it happened like that! I joined Cirque du Soleil three weeks later.

Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza plays at Concord Pacific Place from October 21 to December 31.