“…[T]en thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert – in anything.” Daniel Levitin
* I had the incredible honor of having Arthur (an Outlier in his field) fact check this article. Since his comments meant so much to me I left them in blue, so you could gain more of his perspective, too!
The creativity of Cirque du Soleil is impossible to commit to paper. It defies description.
Couple that with attending a Cirque evening with the most creative person I’ve ever known, my nephew, Arthur Davis III, and I could write a book about it.
Arthur was inducted into the Gymnastics Hall of Fame last year (as his Aunt I’m entitled to brag a little) . I’ve included a clip from America’s Got Talent where he performed with his partner, Shenea. Their skill level is unparalleled in the acrogymnast’s world.
We joined Arthur at a Cirque premier and crawled into his head for a bird’s eye view of what HE was thinking while watching the show. He has worked with Cirque in the past and is currently moving into the arena of choreography and artistic direction.
My dear friend peppered him with multiple questions. He loved the fact that she showed an unbridled interest in his perspective and he willingly educated us on the art of the performance.
He explained which acts were most difficult and why. For example, the unicyclist who not only held a trusting partner on his shoulders (who weighed at least 100 pounds) as he pedaled in circles. While cycling he began to twirl her around and around his body as if she were a limp noodle. The act is extremely difficult, much more so than it looks. It is the job of a good creative director to choose acts that ‘wow’ the audience, and entertain them. This act was an interesting choice, because it is very difficult, but does not leave the audience with this appreciation.*
Arthur went through the years of training and the dedication to their art that the performers endure to stay at the top of their game. One girl who laid on the floor, put her legs over her head and proceeded to walk them around her entire body. Arthur had worked with her during a show when she was no more than 12 years old—ten years ago. I didn’t think her act was humanly possible!
He pointed out the different countries the cast members came from: Russia, China, Canada, to name a few. Their backgrounds included the circus, gymnasts, comedians, magicians, clowns and actors.
As a choreographer, the transitioning between acts was of unique interest to him. He made this comment during intermission, and I looked at the second half of the show with a different perspective on where the directors chose to center your focus. For example, you are watching an “unwilling” participant being pulled from the audience while the next act is being set up.
He talked about how difficult life on the road of a traveling show is. There is constant change … never having the luxury of having permanent home, as the show moves locations every three months).
A friend queried about how often people were hurt. Arthur explained that following a series of accidents across the board in different Cirque shows, the audience complaints of being scared and worried were rumored to have added to the implementation of the safety net on the tightrope act.
The Wheel of Death Act is one of the most electrifying acts, as it does the job of completely wowing the audience by actually seeming harder than it is. Not that it is easy or without risk, by any means. This is one of my favorite acts, because it is so effective in it’s entertainment value and creation of disbelief.
It comes near the end of the show and there are times when you are literally holding your breath while you watch these two guys go in circles on gigantic wheels.
The palms of my hands were wet throughout this act. At one point I grabbed the friend beside me, thinking that the actor on top was stumbling and about to fall to his death! While it is a little on the dark side, here’s a video of that act.
The evening reminded me of the book “Outliers: The Story of Success” where Malcom Gladwell studied the successful people in all walks of life. He defines outlier as “A place that lay outside everyday experience, where normal rules did not apply.”
This was truly one of those experiences. It taught me to sit back, relax and enjoy the creative experience as viewed through an Outlier’s eyes.
How often have you taken the opportunity to look at the world through someone else’s perspective? What has it taught you? I’d love to hear one of your experiences of “crawling into someone’s head” and the insight you gleaned from it. Please share your experience in the comment section below.
To Our Massive Success,
Dar
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:27 am
Darlene, what a wonderful insight into the mind of creative and skilled people. The vid of your nephew’s gig is outstanding too. Wow, how do they ever perfect all those moves. Thanks.
Stew Shaw´s last blog ..Using and Abusing Power On The Internet
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:14 am
Oh my oh my Dar!
We’ve (oldest dd and I) wanted to go see Cirque for so long now.
Will have to just make a point of it this year. I think there’s a permanent show in Orlando.
Oh wow – I’m excited to be reminded how much I’d like to do that!
Thanks mucho!!
Andrea
Andrea Goodsaid´s last blog ..Baby Boomers, Online Marketing & Email (Nightmares)
March 3rd, 2010 at 7:54 am
Your nephew is truly your claim to fame! WOW! Very impressive! I’ve lived a sheltered life here in Alaska! Never new these things even existed! Thank you for sharing! Next time I go down to the states I know what is on the top of my to do list!!
Linda G Cox´s last blog ..USE ENCOURAGING WORDS With Your Kids
March 4th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Hi Dar,
Thanks so much for the insight. The ten thousand hours of practice required for expertise really struck a chord with me. I tend to give up too soon. And look how much the practice pays off, the acts are simply breathtakingly stunning.
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March 4th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Darlene,
Very cool videos and post! I can see where he gets all his talent from. His Aunt!! Even though he is in the limelight on stage, you are our shining light on the internet!
Having great talented people like yourself and your nephew in this world make everyday a pleasure!
Thanks for sharing and you should be very proud of yourself also!
Dave and Dawn
Dave and Dawn´s last blog ..Do You Know Where You Are Going?
March 5th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Thanks Dar for sharing some thoughts from Arthur’s world. I’m in awe watching him and his partner on t.v. and proud to say “that’s my cousin”
I enjoy your thoughts and am looking forward to seeing you next month.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Woo Hoo! I’m looking forward to it to, Cousin. Love you!
March 5th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Wow alright Darlene. I felt tears welling just to imagine how proud you must feel when you’re watching your nephew perform. Very cool. I agree it’s very mind opening to view things from anothers perspective. Another form of growth
Thanks for sharing. Cheers Toni
March 7th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Hi Darlene
You must be so incredibly proud and what an awesome idea taking us into someone’s head for the journey. I worked in theatre lighting for 15 years and i have yet to see a Cirque du Soleil show. That’s it next time they’re in town i am there! I have been lucky enough to travel overseas a lot and i just love listening to the locals tell me their stories. I go on a journey in tehir head and its always riveting and makes me realise how many different lives and experiences there are out there.
Fascinating post Darlene
Cheers,
Matt
Matt Jones´s last blog ..5 Steps To Realising Your Goal: Part 5
March 8th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Wow, Darlene,
So interesting! He should do a documentary! You have every right to brag about your nephew!
My daughter is a theater major and a dancer. I always love hearing about the behind the scenes issues and what it takes to bring a production to its final form.
For me, the most interesting form of seeing through the eyes of another is listening to young children and asking them questions about the world. Their perspective is always magnificent and usually pretty funny!
Thanks for bring us such a unique experience!
Nancy
“Mentor Mama”
March 9th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Wow Darlene,
I don’t know where to start with this post. First of all you have a truely amazingly talented nephew and what a great video of the wheel of death.
I haven’t seen the cirque du soleil but I have seen the wheel of death performed before and my heart was in my mouth throughout.
I think it is truely inspirational what can be achieved by practice, dedication, team work, trust, strength and bravery. This to me just epitomizes what hardwork can achieve.
A wonderful post, thank you so much for sharing this today.
Yours in discovery,
Beth Hewitt
Beth Hewitt´s last blog ..Pruning your Life
March 9th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Hey Darlene…great stuff! You know this makes me think about how so many of us are not living in that place of the outliers…”where normal rules do not apply.” We all feel the desire of our souls searching for that place where we have the freedom to fly and truly be ourselves and defy the odds.
I think we all have been given that potential…but how many of us truly “go for it” to find that place where we truly feel like we are fulfilling what we were made for?
Just some thoughts…thanks for the post…awesome stuff!
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March 9th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Hi Darlene,
Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing this great experience with us all. Your nephew is an amazing performer and you should be proud to share him with the rest of the world. We can all learn some lessons from the dedication, commitment, and do what ever it takes focus on achieve their goals, vision, and dreams that comes from such amazing people. We all have it in us. We were created for greatness. It is up to us to let it all out and be revealed to the rest of the world.
I have not thought about getting into the head of another person, but now that you have mentioned it, I will definitely try it out.
I do however look at things from other peoples perspective when I am interacting with them in such a way that I can offer the best value to them in what I am communicating and sharing.
Thanks again for the great post.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed