Cirque du Soleil: Where Dreams Become Reality

The Culture + Entertainment District will be Calgary’s next great city neighbourhood, the next chapter in downtown life, and an engine of development and tourism in a dynamic, evolving city.

The C+E will become – and has always been – a place of inspiring people and big ideas. As the Master Plan continues to evolve from a vision on paper to a multi-dimensional reality, The C+E Blog will periodically feature guest writers and thought-leaders— experts in the fields of placemaking, community-building and development to highlight how The C+E is shaping Calgary’s future.

Guest writer and Cirque du Soleil performer, Cedric Belisle, shares how his dream of running away to join the circus became a reality and invites you to join him under The Big Top to experience the magic and wonder of KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil.

By Cedric Belisle, Artist & Performer, Cirque du Soleil

I saw my first Cirque du Soleil show on TV when I was 10 years old and I was blown away. This is what I wanted to do when I grow up! The show was ALEGRIA… it created a dream to perform! A dream that would become a reality years later. Before joining Cirque du Soleil, I was a competitive trampolinist and collected many great memories while competing such as winning the bronze medal at the Indo Pacific Championships, and a member of the 2007 Junior World Championship Canadian team. I had a goal and in 2009 I took part in an audition for Cirque du Soleil. Two weeks later, I received THE call that would take me one step closer to my dream. I was running away with the circus setting the ground to a new exciting adventure.

It will be my first time visiting and performing in Calgary and I can’t wait to perform under the Big Top in front of you guys. I am SO excited for all of you to experience the zany yet thrilling KOOZA which is coming to The Culture + Entertainment District on Stampede Park from August 25 through October 8, 2023. I have been told how amazing and supportive the Calgary audiences are so I can’t wait to experience this myself.

KOOZA is a combination of thrilling acrobatics and a great trio of clowns sure to make you… laugh. The show is an homage to traditional circus with a Cirque du Soleil twist. The story follows the Innocent, my role in the show, into a journey of self-discovery. The Innocent is transported into a strange world lead by a mysterious character: The Trickster. This zany world includes some of the most exhilarating acrobatics in Cirque du Soleil like the double highwire, the Wheel of death, and more intimate moments such as the high energy tissue act and even romance in the duo unicycle act. The story is told through the eyes of the Innocent and can relate with everyone.

Being part of Cirque du Soleil allowed me to travel in many cities and countries around the world. It’s a fun lifestyle with no strict routine! We typically have performances from Wednesday through Sunday which gives everyone the chance to explore the cities where we are on Monday and Tuesday. I have never been to Calgary, but I am eager to see what the city has to offer. I like to settle in and discover a city like a local so finding the local gems is something I am looking forward to. We are staying downtown which will make it easy to walk to 4th Street or 17th Avenue to explore the art scene and boutiques or enjoying the scenery around Elbow River.

Life at KOOZA is so much fun! While there is a show happening on stage, there is something special going on in the artistic tent. The artists will come to the site at different times and will apply their own make-up. A process that can take up to 2-hours depending on the artist. When we first arrive at Cirque du Soleil, learning how to do our makeup is included in our training schedule. We get to learn with one of the makeup artists and at the end we are given a step by step. I know all my steps by heart now. It will take me 30-45 minutes to get into my character. During the second half of the show, I join the Teeterboard team on the blue mat to play volleyball. This is their way of relaxing and warming up before jumping on stage for the final act.

It is never easy to pick one favorite moment in KOOZA but I must say that the opening still gives me chills after so many years. At that time, the artist comes on stage to a beautiful live score for the reveal of the Bataclan. This particular moment is a reminder of how lucky I am to be able to fulfill my dream every day. With almost 15 years with Cirque du Soleil, I feel everyday like I have the coolest job in the world.

I am really looking forward to sharing my on-stage experience and our show, KOOZA, to everyone in Calgary. The Culture + Entertainment District has a lot to offer so come along to experience KOOZA with your friends and family. This nail-biting show will keep you at the edge of your seat and will be a show you will remember for a very long time. Don’t be shy, we love to hear your applause, screams and laughs.

I hope to see you under the Big Top at Stampede Park and can’t wait to discover Calgary!

KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil runs August 25 to October 8, 2023 under the Big Top at Stampede Park.

Find more information on the show and get your tickets here.

Cedric Belisle, Full Bio

Cedric was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario and grew up playing competitive soccer and competing in trampoline. At 10 years old, he saw Cirque Du Soleil on television, and from that moment on he dreamed of performing for the company. Before joining Cirque, Cedric was a competitive trampolinist. He was part of the Canadian Junior team from 2006-2007, where he won the bronze medal at the Indo Pacific Championships in South Africa, and a member of the 2007 Junior World Championship Canadian team. In 2009, he decided to further his career by pursuing Cirque du Soleil and joined the cast of Wintuk. Since that time he has been a part of the cast for KOOZA and Varekai. While on tour Cedric completed his Bachelor’s degree with honors in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and is currently thinking of pursuing his studies in Sports Management and Marketing.

Subscribe to The C+E newsletter so you don’t miss an update.