Cirque le Masque: Noël

Dec. 17 - 28, 2014
in Patchogue
 
   
Playbill Coming Soon...
 

The Company

GEORGE CORONAS and MILES ASHTON HAY (Risley Act)
GEORGE CORONAS and MILES ASHTON HAY are 8th generation circus performers, and together they perform the act known as Risley. Risley is the art of foot juggling people instead of props, and it is one of the oldest and most difficult circus disciplines around. Because the act requires so much strength and trust between partners, and requires training from such a young age, Risley is historically performed as a family act between brothers, or father and son. George and Miles are not related, and therefore, they are unique to performing Risley, as they are the only non-family members to ever accomplish this act. George & Miles have been practicing Risley together since 2010, and have traveled the world together performing in many different Cirque shows, as NBA Halftime entertainment, at variety dinner shows, and have had guest appearances on late night television. Together their goal is to be one of the best Risley acts around, and to have many years of success and accomplishments.
LINDSAY CULBERT-OLDS (Aerial and Trapeze Artist)
Lindsay discovered her obsession with being upside down in gymnastics, and fell in love with the circus at Circus Smirkus Summer Camp. Lindsay later toured with the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour 2006-2009, training at NECCA in Brattleboro, VT during the year. Lindsay attended the National Circus School in Montreal, QC, and graduated spring 2014 with a major in fixed duo trapeze and a minor in aerial straps. @Lco91 www.KLtrapeze.com
CHRIS DELGADO( (German Wheel)
CHRIS DELGADO has been teaching and performing German Wheel for over six years. Having coached and entertained across the US and internationally, he is thrilled to now be living, teaching and performing in NY. After graduating from University, he attended Dell Arte International School of Physical Theater, and then made his way to Chicago where he was fortunate enough to train with the world renowned, Wolfgang Bientzle. He immediately fell in love with the German Wheel and hasn’t stopped rolling since. For more info about him or to sign up for your own wheel class, check out his website at, TheWheelDelgado.com
MARIO DIAMOND (Mime/Santa Claus)
MARIO DIAMOND was born in 1958 in Louiseville, Canada, where he discovered mime while studying literature in college. In 1976 Mario was on stage for the first time. Thirty-two years later he has performed the mime in Europe, Asia, South and North America, over 8000 shows, played in television shows, movies and TV commercials. His audience is from kids to mature people from everywhere on planet earth.
FRANK DIAZ and ISMET DUARTE(Hand to Hand Balance)
FRANK DIAZ and ISMET DUARTE are thrilled to work with this production of Cirque Le Masque Noel. They have performed their hand to hand act all over the world and are both proficient in multiple circus disciplines.
KIA-MELINDA EASTMAN (Aerial and Trapeze Artist)
Kia-Melinda’s gymnastics and dance background led her to circus at the age of seven. Her love for the art drove her to Circus Smirkus, where at 12 years old, she was accepted into their Big Top Tour. Kia toured with Circus Smirkus for six summers and trained throughout the years at NECCA in Brattleboro VT. She then attended the National Circus School in Montreal QC, majoring in duo trapeze and minoring in rope. @kme915 www.kltrapeze.com
MAXIMILIANO and EMILIANO FUSCO (Jugglers)
MAXIMILIANO and EMILIANO FUSCO (Jugglers) come from a long family line of entertainers, as fifth-generation circus performers. Their father was an Argentineanrenowned gaucho, their mother a contortionist. They have cousins in Cirque, a sister in Circus Circus in Las Vegas, and Maximiliano is a Guinness Book record holder for juggling five clubs for 57 minutes straight. When they are not performing up to three shows a day, the brothers practice upwards of eight hours per day. The Fusco Brothers were actually born in the circus and began their entertainment career as part of their mother and father’s act. The twins began juggling as something to pass time, but soon proved their skill and talent to be the some of the greatest jugglers on earth! Emiliano and Maximiliano have a unique advantage being twins. They often spin in unison without planning or signals, simply acting on their own impulses. It’s no wonder few jugglers in the world are capable of doing the tricks the Fusco Brothers perform.
LAURA HALEY (Dancer)
LAURA HALEY received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Performance from Hofstra University, and is currently teaching and choreographing for studios and productions around the country. She has toured nationally and internationally throughout Europe, South America, and Asia for four years with Cirque Le Masque’s “Carnivale.” She is now performing as part of The Hoopla Girls, a duo aerial team out of NYC that recently performed with Steve Aoki in Life In Color, as well as in MuseIam, and at private events. Along with performing, Laura choreographed Cirque Legacy’s show entitled, “City Life”, which premiered in Miami, and went on to tour the US.
NICOLE LUND (Moira)
NICOLE LUND is a Minnesota native who moved to NYC with the sole purpose of experiencing the excitement of the Big Apple. She began dancing with Cirque le Masque in 2005 and has performed throughout the US, Mexico, Grand Cayman and Greece. Since then, she has completed her Masters in Public Health and is currently working as a Registered Dietitian in Manhattan, where she resides with her cat Simba. She is delighted to have the opportunity to perform again with the talented cast and crew of Cirque le Masque.
ANATOLI MIAGKOSTOUPOV (Cube Juggler)
ANATOLI MIAGKOSTOUPOV began his career as a performer in a Duo Juggling Act. After finishing as a student at the Kiev Circus School (Ukraine), he performed with The Moscow Circus, several European circuses, twelve production shows in Las Vegas and appeared on some of the best TV programs around the world. Anatoli has received numerous prestigious Circus Awards with his well-known juggling act, including the Gold medal at the International Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow in Paris, France; The Golden Lion prize at the International Festival Wuqiao, in China; First Place at the Moscow Circus Festival; Best Act of the Year in Italy (performing at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II); and he received the coveted Government of Russia Lenin Komsomol Prize.
GEDIMINAS PAVLOVICIUS (Rolla Bolla)
GEDIMINAS PAVLOVICIUS nicknamed “Geddy”, originally from the Baltic state of Lithuania, came to the United States at the age of nine. He began his training for Rolla Bolla, at the tender age of eleven, under the direction of his parents Alex and Audrion. Geddy is the second generation of circus performers and even has a family comedy-contortion act. Through counsel from his parents, Geddy has gone on to achieve many things including third place in the world in the Monte Carlo Competition of 2005 and performing in Cirque du Soleil “Wintuk”. Geddy currently resides in Las Vegas and has done so for the last ten years. Along with working within his craft, Geddy also has an interest in auto mechanics and plans to open his own shop in the future.
ISABEL POWER (Dancer)
ISABEL POWER is originally from Vero Beach, Florida, and is thrilled to be performing her first show with Cirque le Masque! She has a BA in Dance Performance from the Conservatory at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, from which she graduated in 2010 at the age of 20 after spending her final semester studying abroad in Paris. Since then, she has performed professionally at Universal Studios Orlando, as a showgirl at Jubilee! at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and around the globe as a dancer with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Currently based in NYC, Isabel has been exploring the local dance world along with choreographing and setting pieces at a studio in Rye Brook, NY. She looks forward to her next ship contract beginning in spring 2015.
ELISABETH RAINER (Dancer)
ELISABETH RAINER is a New York based dancer and teacher. A graduate of the Gallatin School of New York University, Elisabeth has danced with several New York based companies and toured both nationally and internationally with Cirque Le Masque. She has taught dance, yoga, and academics throughout the US as well as in Colombia, Mexico, and India. Elisabeth is proud to work with Artists Striving to End Poverty, a nonprofit that brings performing and visual arts to underserved youth throughout the US and abroad.
ROKARDY RODRIGUEZ (Cane Balance)
ROKARDY RODRIGUEZ was born in Havana, Cuba, and at the age of 17, he attended the National Circus School of Cuba where he fell in love with hand balancing. He has since become one of the most talented and well known Cuban circus artists in the world. In 2001 Rokardy was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix at the Festival de Massy in France. He has performed with circuses all over the world, and in 2002 he joined Cirque du Soleil’s production of La Nuba. Rokardy can currently be seen in their production of Viva Elvis in Las Vegas.
BIANCA SALTAFORMAGGIO (Choreographer/ Rehearsal Director)
BIANCA SALTAFORMAGGIO has been working with Cirque Le Masque as a dancer since 2008 and is thrilled to be joining the team again. Past credits include The Music Man, Evita, Stepp Stewart’s Show N’ Tell, and numerous performances with Kinetic Dance Theatre. Merry Christmas everyone!
LARISSA SHERMAN (Hula Hoops)
LARISSA SHERMAN is a premiere Hula Hoop artist who has entertained audiences all over the world. Some career highlights include performing at the Grammy Awards; the opening of the Lion King on Broadway, the long running Las Vegas production of Jubilee and in the Victora’s Secrets Aerial Angels Live Fashion TV Special. Larissa is thrilled to be back with the cast of Cirque Le Masque!
WEEGO (Character/Grinch)
WEEGO is an original. He is self-trained in costume and make up design, dance, movement, mime, and stage performance. He has performed his world of comedy and drama touring with Cirque le Masque, and numerous productions on the Las Vegas Strip. Weego has also performed his cabaret act in nightclubs from Las Vegas to New York City. He was a medalist with the company at The Festival International of the Circus Arts, in Romania, and entertained audiences at The Indonesia Circus Festival, in Jakarta. (Oh, and a he graces a recent cover of a FITNESS magazine.) Smile, scream, and dance!
SAMANTHA WITT (Dancer/Dance Captain)
SAMANTHA WITT is very excited to be performing with Cirque Le Masque this holiday season. She attended The University of the Arts where she received a BFA in Dance Performance. In addition to being a dancer and dance instructor, Samantha is also a professional hula hoop artist, aerialist, and is a member of The Hoopla Girls. She has toured nationally and internationally with Cirque Le Masque and has also performed with Cirque Legacy, Life in Color, Cirque du Jour, The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Skyz the Limit, Phoenix Entertainment, and Modern Gypsies Productions. Samantha has also hula hooped on The Dr. Oz Show and is an instructor at Aerial Arts NYC.
MIA CARESS (Production Stage Manager)
MIA CARESS began her career as a professional dancer, working with various shows all across the U.S., Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. She has been working with Cirque Le Masque since 1999 and has moved from the role of a dancer to the role of Production Manager. Mia comes from four generations of circus performers, and feels most at home surrounded by circus folks. When she is not working with Cirque Le Masque, she is a New York based actress and host appearing in hundreds of commercials, (eg: Rite Aid, Bassett Furniture/HGTV, NY Rangers ‘Rangerstown’); as a host, (Exercise TV, HSN, AOL); and in television series, (What Would You Do, Autopsy, Person of Interest). She’s thrilled to be back at the Patchogue Theater with this production.
JEFF STATON (Rigger)
JEFF STATON was a rigger at Universal Studios, and then for Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystere” before joining Cirque Le Masque. He is very happy to be back in Patchogue with this production of “Noel”.
JESSE IRWIN (Assistant Stage Manager)
JESSE IRWIN studied theatre at Gannon University and Stella Adler Conservatory. He currently is the Production Stage Manager for Access Broadway. Jess is thrilled to be working on another show with his longtime friends at Cirque Le Masque.
BRIAN LOESCH (Lighting Designer)
BRIAN LOESCH is proud to be part of the Gateway Family for his seventeenth season. Gateway Playhouse lighting design credits include: Beauty And The Beast (2013), Sweeney Todd (2011), A Christmas Carol (2006 & 2010), Avenue Q, Sophisticated Ladies, Forbidden Broadway (2008), Forbidden Broadway Holiday Edition (2011), The Full Monty, A Holiday Spectacular On Ice (2004 & 2009), South Pacific, Footloose, Jesus Christ Superstar, Kiss Me Kate, Holiday Hop, Cirque La Masque - Noel, Urinetown, Mooseltoe (2007 & 2008), Cabaret and numerous children’s theatre productions including Peter Pan (2004) and Jungle Book (2005). Brian graduated with a Degree in Technical Theatre from Suffolk County Community College. Other design credits include Language of Angels (Henry Street Experimental Theatre, NYC), Paraffin Touch (World Premiere at Suffolk County Community College), The Man Who Would Be King (World Premiere at the Antrim Playhouse), and Kiss Me Kate (Cape Fear Regional Theatre). National Tour credits include George M! (2003 Candlewood Int./ Mainstage Productions), Titanic (2004 Candlewood Int.), A Holiday Spectacular On Ice (2004 A Gateway / Candlewood Production), Mame (2005-06 Candlewood Int.), Camelot (2006-07 Candlewood Int.), and the 2007 and 2008 productions of Mooseltoe (Semmelman Productions).