Comes Back to Calgary du Soleil’s KOOZA returns to YYC after more than a decade.

coming to Calgary as part of the Cirque du Soleil troupe.

“I am enjoying the time I am getting to travel across Canada,” says Belisle. “Being in my home country, it is very special for me to perform in all these different cities. Stopping by in Calgary is a moment I have been looking forward to for a long time.”

Particularly special for Belisle was having the opportunity to perform KOOZA in his home town of Ottawa; which is where he first discovered his passion for performance, and knew he wanted to one-day work at Cirque du Soleil.

“My first introduction to Cirque was when I was 10 years old,” says Belisle. “It was a Saturday morning, and I was trying to look for cartoons. I actually landed on Cirque du Soleil’s ALEGRIA. I looked at my parents in that moment and I told them, ‘Mom, Dad, that’s exactly what I want to do when I grow up.’”

Belisle’s parents supported his dream, spending long hours driving him to and from gymnastics training. Eventually, Belisle would go on to become a competitive trampolinist; joining the Canadian junior team from 2006 to 2007, where he won the bronze medal at the Indo Pacific Championships in South Africa. In 2009, Belisle retired from competing to focus on his original goal: performing with Cirque du Soleil.

He wouldn’t have to wait long for his dream to come true. At age 19, he auditioned for Cirque. Two weeks later, he learned the good news.

“I still remember waiting at home for that phone call and receiving it, and just running into my parents’ arms and jumping and celebrating with them,” says Belisle. “It was truly a moment that I will never forget.”

After his initial start as a power track performer and understudy for the role of Jamie in WINTUK, Belisle joined the cast of KOOZA as part of the house-troupe and understudy for The Innocent. Leaving KOOZA in 2015, Belisle toured with the cast of VAREKAI. Two years later, he returned to KOOZA and took over the role of The Innocent from Stephane Landry.

“He’s the one who really created the character,” says Belisle. “So, when I came in —

Continued on next page with character work, you never want to copy someone else’s work. You want to bring your own touch.”

Belisle’s take on The Innocent draws heavily upon his own history and life experiences. “The Innocent really, really wants to make his kite fly,” he explains. “And that was just like me when I was a child, dreaming of making it onto the Cirque du Soleil stage. I apply those same feelings to my character; the feeling of me lying in bed at night dreaming of stepping out onto that stage.”

“I was also on the show when Cedric started as The Innocent,” says Valdez, whose career with Cirque began in 2008 as a stage manager. “I’m very proud of him for how he has developed that character and how he keeps it fresh from show to show.”

As artistic director, Valdez is passionate about ensuring the 52 artists under her direction present their authentic selves and “keep the spark alive” while performing the same show night after night. “I work really closely with the artists; exploring their ideas and making sure that we keep things relevant and exciting,” she notes.

Indeed, since 2007 KOOZA has been performed for more than 8 million spectators in more than 20 countries around the world.

“I have seen KOOZA hundreds of times and I will continue to do so,” adds Valdez. “The show has got everything. It’s got a rollercoaster of emotions; you really get to be awed and inspired and go on this journey with The Innocent. It’s a nice break from reality.”

Belisle adds that there’s nothing like the energy of KOOZA. “It’s a beautiful show. There’s something for everybody in it; kids, grownups, everyone will be mesmerized,” he says. “I’m excited to see everyone out there and perform for you guys.”

KOOZA will be showing in Calgary from Aug. 25 to Oct. 8, 2023. Tickets are available online at cirquedusoleil.com/shows.