KĄ, THREE YEARS LATER

It has been about a year since the creative team led by Robert Lepage let go of the reins, and KĄ officially debuted at the MGM Grand. The stage was set as an incredible team of over 300 technicians, performers and support staff embarked upon an adventurous journey to push back the boundaries of technology and human skill.

Everyone on KĄ would agree that this first year was one of tremendous learning. And one thing is for certain: It has been a wonderful and challenging experience.

How would you summarize your experience with KĄ so far?

Eric Heppell

KĄ Artistic Coordinator

With four Cirque du Soleil productions in Las Vegas , we had to once again re-invent ourselves. For KĄ we went in completely new directions, from the actual apparatuses and performances to the technical implications that the new disciplines (e.g. Pillars, Climb, and Battlefield) involved. Also, the format of the show is completely different. Instead of having 5 to 7 disciplines, there are about 12 different disciplines and about 20 different scenes, with the same number of transitions.

This is all carried out with the same number of performers as in a traditional Cirque show. As a result, our artists have to go through many more costume changes, and even make-up changes. With the added stress and mental fatigue that this brings, we had to come up with efficient systems to manage the workload in the performances, training sessions, staging work and other obligations that a typical Cirque performer has to meet. Quite frankly, we are continually refining our methods.

Dave Churchill

KĄ Technical Director

The fact that we are able to make this show happen twice a night, five days a week, is nothing short of amazing. There were plenty of times that many people felt we were attempting the impossible—and we now do the impossible ten times a week! For every performance, more than 100 technicians follow a very precise choreography of moves and cues, which the audience never sees.

Yet there is still healthy respect in this theatre for things that can happen. Responding to an incident is no substitute for planning, and the entire crew spends a lot of time trying to think ahead about potential problems, to define our various "what-if" strategies, and to implement them in fact before they are required in practice. This dedication has allowed us to get through some very difficult situations with no one ever knowing there was a problem.

A year has taught us that we sure can pull off some impressive feats when we have to, and that each day leads us a step closer to making the impossible a daily habit.

Jeanette Farmer

Lighting Director

The Electrics Department, which handles lighting, projection and building power, has found this year to be both challenging and rewarding. We have had to learn how to take care of Cirque's biggest lighting rig to date, the most complicated networked computer-control system yet, and our one-of-a-kind projection system.

We have enjoyed improving the system, fine-tuning our artistic contribution to the show and getting to know each other and the artists a little more. We look forward to another fun and challenging year and to sharing our passion with a new audience every night.

Eric Wood

Assistant Head of Wardrobe

Our job is to maintain the look of the costumes while implementing requirements related to rigging, harnesses and quick changes. And we are constantly discovering new ways to increase the longevity of the costumes and ensure ease of maintenance while continuing to be sensitive to the needs of the artists.

One of the biggest challenges we faced this year was creating wardrobes for all of the principal characters' understudies. The size and magnitude of KĄ ensures that there is never a boring day for the staff of 30 in the Wardrobe Department!

Jennifer Haight

KĄ Artist ( USA )

My experience playing the Twin Sister character in KĄ has been exciting, fun and wonderful. I have had the chance to learn new skills and meet interesting people from around the world. Having a role that is so demanding, both physically and mentally, has taught me to be very focused, responsible and malleable. I love performing and being a part of the KĄ cast. My only wish is to stay on for many years to come.

Marylčne Hickok

KĄ Artist ( Canada )

Coming from La Nouba, one of my challenges as a KĄ artist was to learn how to work with and around the technical set. Because the theatre is so big, I had to learn to play "bigger" and more clearly to capture the audience's attention while telling a story. KĄ pushed me as an artist and my vision of a circus show. As much as anything, it's a story of trust and friendship among the cast.

Derek Jones

KĄ Musician ( USA )

It has been one of the most exciting and challenging years of my life. Cirque contacted me on Thanksgiving Day in 2004 to see if I was available to play bass on their newest show—opening the next day! I showed my wife the e-mail and we both smiled, knowing our lives were about to change. A week and a half later I arrived at the KĄ Theatre. The hardest part was leaving my wife and daughter behind in Nashville for four months and then relocating them (plus two cats) to Las Vegas.

Being a part of Cirque du Soleil is a dream come true for us and everyone has been so supportive. Playing bass on the greatest show on earth is icing on the cake.

Reinaldo Noguti

KĄ Artist ( Brazil )

After one year of performances, I still see KĄ as a challenge. Being part of the creation and experiencing the show every night is like raising a child. Each day you see something new or look for small details that make a big difference to the show as a whole. I am still learning and enjoying KĄ. Maybe it is a dream.

Matt Salcedo

KĄ Artist ( USA )

This year has been a fun and crazy ride. I learned a lot about how Cirque works, and the technical aspects are absolutely amazing, from the big props to the riggers. KĄ has the best vibe of people and I can't wait for more craziness.

Cuong Thoong

KĄ Artist ( UK )

It's been like a roller coaster ride! Full of ups and downs, and the year has gone by so fast. It's been a difficult and stressful experience but that's expected when you create a new show. However, I enjoy performing and I'm happy and proud to be a part of KĄ. I have learned a lot and have met great people from around the world among the cast, but most of all, my experience with KĄ has been fun.