Experience the Holiday Spirit with Cirque du Soleil in New York

If you’re aiming to dive into the festive spirit in New York, attending Cirque du Soleil’s holiday show, “Twas the Night Before…” at Madison Square Garden is a fantastic way to celebrate.

This production is inspired by the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement-Clarke Moore. It showcases 26 artists from a pool of 1,200 elite acrobats, all of whom undergo intense training to master the breathtaking and daring feats featured in the show.

When I was invited to audition for the MSG Theater Company, my initial reaction was, well, not exactly optimistic—I hadn’t done gymnastics since elementary school.

Despite that, watching clips of the performers in action, something clicked. As I somersaulted in my mind—improbably light, like I typically do when browsing Netflix—I thought, “Why not give this a shot?”

James Hadley, the show’s writer and director, noted my enthusiasm but pointed out that my lack of athleticism isn’t exactly the norm for someone aspiring to be a part of Cirque. I would need to learn various acrobatic skills, like tumbling and flipping over surfaces. Naturally, I felt a bit overwhelmed at the thought.

My Audition Day

The morning of the audition, I felt both excited and nervously uncertain about what lay ahead.

“The strength and trust they have in each other is truly remarkable,” Hadley told me.

As I entered Madison Square Garden through a performer entrance—and already feeling like a star—I found a backstage dressing room filled with costumes. There, I met Asia Medini, a roller-skating acrobat who performs several times a week alongside her brother Dylan. Asia kindly showed me how to apply the bright makeup that can be seen from the back rows of the theater, a process that usually takes about 45 minutes.

After putting the final touches on my glittery look, I stepped onto the stage and faced the vast audience of 5,600 seats, wondering if the experienced performers ever felt nervous before their routines.

“For those who are nervous, I tell them to just focus on the performance; that usually brings more excitement,” Hadley advised.

Act 1: The Hoops

My first challenge involved crawling through two stacked gold hoops and rolling onto a foam mat below, performed by the “reindeer” acrobats who leap through them one by one.

Nicolas Nieto Teusa, one of the performers, demonstrated how to warm up and then taught me the art of the somersault. Taking a deep breath, I rolled forward and landed softly. The mat was indeed softer than I imagined!

He encouraged me to be bold and “pretend it’s not there” as I jumped through the hoops, which made me laugh out loud. Surprisingly, I managed to get through after a few fumbles.

Act 2: The Straps

Next, I was introduced to Roman Tomanov, a seasoned circus performer who dazzles audiences from high above using aerial straps.

The cotton straps hang from the ceiling, allowing performers to soar anywhere from just a few inches to an impressive 25 feet in the air. While trying to mimic his moves, I quickly found that holding my weight above my head was no simple feat. I started spinning uncontrollably, but honestly, it felt exhilarating.

With Tomanov’s guidance, I even managed a flip—at least I think it was a flip, though perhaps not quite like a seasoned performer.

Act 3: Roller Skating

Then came the roller skating segment, where I was filled with newfound confidence. After all, I had some basic skills from childhood! But, as it turned out, roller skates felt entirely different from what I was used to.

Steadying myself required quite the effort; I had to guide myself to the stage’s center while my ego seemed to lag behind, struggling to keep up. Dylan Medini spun me around in a fun routine, but I came away feeling a bit disoriented compared to their polished choreography.

“Picture doing a high-speed spin, then seamlessly going back into the music,” Asia explained. Yeah, I could definitely imagine that—but achieving it was another story.

When I finally exited the stage, my spirits were high despite a few stumbles. I had thrown myself into the challenge with Cirque du Soleil and lived to tell the tale.

Reflection

This severely uncoordinated writer clearly won’t be joining Cirque du Soleil anytime soon. Still, I caught a glimpse of the incredible talent and dedication required to be part of this organization.

“Being a Cirque du Soleil artist demands exceptional strength, flexibility, and discipline,” Tomanov noted. “Behind every stunning performance is years of hard work and constant improvement.” I think I found my limits during the audition!

Hadley mentioned that the show offers a contemporary twist on Moore’s classic, allowing audiences a fresh perspective on beloved Christmas tales.

And, as much as I’d love to soar through the air, thankfully, I won’t be attempting that anytime soon!

Cirque du Soleil’s limited holiday production, ‘Twas the Night Before…, runs until December 28 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.