Acrobats fly high over
the stage in ‘Corteo’

Erin Washington

Cirque du Soleil is more than just a circus company. It is not only a showcase of high quality entertainment but has great job security and community arts integration programs as well. Their latest touring show, “Corteo,” is at Suffolk Downs until Oct. 15. The show proves that Cirque has come a long way in 22 years.

Cirque was founded in Quebec by Guy Laliberté in 1984. It was based on street performance and circus arts, a legacy reflected in early shows like “We Reinvent the Circus.” Now there are six resident shows in Las Vegas and Orlando, six touring shows and one arena show. “Corteo” seems to go back to the roots of the company, as many of the major characters are clowns.

At the same time, “Corteo” shows how far Cirque has come through intriguing theatrics and music that is as emotionally touching as ever. The curtains that frame the stage, for example, were hand-painted by Jean Rabasse, and the Grandiose Angel costumes weigh 50 pounds and cost $35,000.

Also of note is the increased diversity among the artists. One in particular probably wouldn’t have called himself an artist a few years ago.

Jamar Young, a 22-year-old gymnast from Lubbock, Texas, used to have stage fright. He competed nationally and internationally until two years ago, when he was invited to a Cirque training session called a formation. Cirque then asked him to become part of “Corteo,” which was just beginning creation. At that point, his fear of being on stage didn’t stop him. “I was excited about formation,” he said.

For him, working with Cirque is like “entering a new world of unknown and just trying to figure out and find your place. It’s the kind of experience that, in not knowing, makes it more exciting.”

In “Corteo,” he performs in an aerial act called “Paradise” that’s like the flying trapeze without a trapeze. Four strong men stand on three platforms and swing male and female acrobats across to each other. There is a long trampoline underneath, which Young and others use to bounce back up to the catchers. It looks much more amazing than any words could describe.

Because Cirque alters ordinary circus acts, making them unique and therefore uncharted territory in terms of safety, they have developed a system of creation that involves a close interaction between artists, coaches and directors. For “Corteo,” Young said, “the creation was nine months and I was there from the beginning.” Everything is trial and error, which gives the artists more credit in creating the acts.

Several Cirque artists also appear at various other points in the show. Young helps set up the final act of “Corteo,” called “Tournik,” when the cast’s diversity is most apparent. Aside from Young and the Loyal Whistler, Sean Lomax, there are three acrobats in this last act that add color to the performance: Kanukai “Kaj” Jackson of the United Kingdom, Fredric Umali of San Jose, Calif. and Omar Cortes of Spain. The latter is recognizable in the “Bouncing Beds” act by a bushy Afro, but his hair is pulled back for “Tournik.” The addition of one of Cirque’s few female jugglers, Elena Teslenko of Russia, makes “Corteo” one of the most diverse shows yet. If Cirque aims to attract audiences from all walks of life, this could be the way to go.

Being away from home for a long period of time can be stressful, but Young doesn’t mind so much.

“I enjoy traveling. At the end of the year I’ll be close to home,” he said, commenting that he’ll get to see his family and friends when “Corteo” goes to Atlanta in December and Dallas in February.

What’s it like to work with Cirque du Soleil? “It’s a fun company,” Young said. “It’s really, really big but once you find your way around it’s really helpful. They’ll help you to find other work and train you in it.”

Someday, when Young is done performing, he wants to own a gym and coach gymnastics. But in the meantime, he is pleased to keep learning and growing as an athlete and artist. “I would like to push myself, learn as much as I can and see as much as I can of the world while I’m still with Cirque.”

For tickets to Corteo, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Above: Eight acrobats take part in “Tournik” showing their strength and technical skills, while performing giant swings and other circus skills on the horizontal bars. This portion of the performance showcases the diverse cast. (photos © Cirque du Soleil, Inc.) Below: Jamar Young, a former gymnast, performs in the aerial trapeze act called “Paradise” in “Corteo.”