How Can I Turn Circus Into a Job: Big Show Opportunity
Last week you got to read all about how I was SO CLOSE to being able to work for Cirque Du Soleil. My dreams had been completely shattered and I felt like I was not athletic, or graceful, or talented. I really put myself down, and for no reason, since me not being hired ultimately came down to my look. Still, as a former gymnast, I was taught that I had to be the best, or I wasn’t good enough. It’s such a horrible way of thinking, and it’s why I detest competitions, but alas, it’s what had been ingrained in me for so long. I was in a funk for a while, but eventually I decided that enough was enough! I decided to change my attitude and move forward. I was still training and working all the gigs and theme park shows, but I decided not to be embarrassed anymore and convinced myself that I was still good. I’m glad I changed my attitude, or I would’ve never made myself mentally available to audition for anything else.
One day, I was scrolling through facebook, and I saw that one of my friends had reposted a link for a Las Vegas show that was looking for aerialists. I didn’t think too much about it, but I mentioned it to my good friend Nik (who is now my husband!) and he encouraged me to at least submit my demo video. I found the email for the casting director and sent a link with my demo reel, thinking I would never hear anything back. I was wrong! The next day I received a reply saying they had watched my video and loved it, and would like to see me do some more specific conditioning and choreography. I was so surprised, but I had already started the process and I figured it couldn’t hurt to continue to put myself out there. Lucky for me, Nik had a great camera, so we decided to go to open gym that night to film most of what they needed. The last thing they needed was a swim test. Little did I know when I first emailed, but the show was a water show and swimming would be involved. I’ve never really liked water much. I can swim just fine, but when I was a kid, my mom signed me up for swimming lessons, and I got cold in the water, and the teacher wouldn’t let me get out of the pool. My mom tried to take me back to classes, but I refused to get in the water because I knew I would get cold again. I think my dislike of water came from that. Anyway, I had a community pool where I was living at the time, so we filmed my swim test the following morning and sent everything in. Again I didn’t know what to expect, but I was proud of myself for trying. A few days went by and I didn’t hear anything. I was discouraged because I had gotten a reply after the first email so quickly, so I convinced myself I didn’t care if I didn’t hear back.
I had submitted everything on a Tuesday, and it was on Friday that I got a call from an unknown number from LAS VEGAS! It was the casting director. She was letting me know that they liked my audition video and they wanted to fly me out to Vegas the following Friday for an in-house audition. She told me it was the final step in the audition process, and that I had to let her know soon. I couldn’t believe it! I was shaking from nervousness and excitement. I had to get a couple of work shifts covered, but I knew that if I didn’t take this opportunity, I would always regret it.
The next day I called her back and told her I would be available to travel to Vegas to audition. The following week, leading up to Friday, was one of the worst weeks of my life! I was so anxious that I could barely function. Of course, we all know now that it was worth it, but I had no idea at the time!
Wow, this story is turning out much longer than I expected, but I’m having so much fun telling it! I will continue next week with the in-house audition!