On September 12, 2013 I had the pleasure of going to see Suzie Gagnon speak in a class auditorium. Gagnon has been an artist on tour with Cirque du Soleil for 17 years. She is currently stationed in Brazil performing in eight to twelve shows a week. As a member of the team she is expected to develop connections, communicate, maintain synergy, show consistency, be trusting, and trustworthy. Gagnon focused her speech on the behind the scene action of her life on tour.
Cirque du Soleil was founded in 1984 when a group of entrepreneurs wanted to reinvent circus arts and create a new experience for the public. The creators set out to invoke, provoke and evoke the imagination. Originally Cirque du Soleil was an unstructured bohemian dream, which strove to capture and channel the bohemian spirit. Today there are 5,000 employees worldwide, 100 various occupations, more than 50 nationalities, and 25 different languages spoken. The show has come a very long way since its original untouched dream.
The creative process is the driving force behind everything that happens in Cirque du Soleil. Much inspiration for the shows is drawn from cultural diversity. Emphasis is placed on marginalized youth and the fight against poverty. The one vision of the show is to include youth related issues in the international agenda.
Suzie Gagnon’s mission in life is to “give magic to the people”. Gagnon’s life revolves around defying the laws of gravity. She has a passion for traveling, culture, and creating. Gagnon set her eyes on a dream to be apart of Cirque du Soleil, and she has not stopped since. She was an inspiring speaker, and gave hope to the audience to strive for “impossible” dreams.