QUARTER NOTE
From the Big Top to a (Slightly) S David Freedman, IP3
Hi folks! I was recently asked by Phyllis Harmon to begin working on a column for Voices Magazine and was deli
various ways in which seemingly common (or sometimes not so common) subject matter can be used to create bett
other topics I will cover include how to come up with themes for your meeting, discovering which speech topic
interviewing other Toastmasters like yourselves who have had unique experiences in their lives that contributed Cory and I met last year when we went to prison David Freedman: When did you first join Cirque together. Yes, you heard that right. We met while du Soleil? at prison. (No, not IN prison.) As part of our contest season that leads up to the District Speech Cory Sylvester: My first show was in 2006. Evaluation and Toastmasters International Speech Contests, Clubs in the prison system are DF: What were some of your favorite experiences included in the contests.
of working in the circus?
While the inmates aren’t allowed to progress further due to their incarceration, it still CS: It was a dream job for me and some of the best encourages them to develop a greater sense of moments were when a kid or young adult would say competitive spirit and drive while continuing to to me that they were so inspired by what I did that focus on increasing their communication and they wanted to do the same. I was inspired by seeing leadership skills.
the same show, and I built my life around running
I met Cory Sylvester at the Columbia River with that inspiration. I was there to give back the Correctional Institution. I was there volunteering inspiration I’ d received. as a Judge while Cory was competing in the Evaluation portion of the contest, which he won. DF: Where did your touring schedule take you? As it turns out, a great deal of Cory’s background included working in Cirque du Soleil. Intrigued, CS: I had the privilege to play in 48 different I wanted to know more about what inspired him countries—Western Europe, Scandinavia, Eastern to work in the circus and how being a performer Europe, Russia, Asia, Middle East, South America, helped him when he decided to transition into and North America. becoming a public speaker. Please welcome to the stage Cory Sylvester!
48
ONE COMMUNITY
DF: What were the reasons you finally left?
