CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE is set to bring the magic of the holiday season to Wharton Center and GLAMoms had the opportunity to chat with Tawnya Sauer, the CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE Company Manager.
Tawnya is lovely and funny and an entertainer! She tells more about this Broadway inspired production filled with holiday songs and music that showcases the circus arts. And she explains the need for attention to detail, follow up and follow through to assure the show will go on! Tawnya, along with a cast and crew of 35 will be at Wharton Center December 18, 19 and 20. There are still some tickets available, before getting tickets, hear more from Tawnya about what to expect when the show comes to town!
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms Tawnya! Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to tell us about CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE!
In a couple of sentences, would you describe your job?
I am the company manager and oversee all the cast and crew of CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE. I make sure that all of the details are in place so that we have a successful tour from the moment we start rehearsals to the moment of our last show on December 31.
What skills and/or training is necessary for a person in your position?
My background is in event management with 20 years of event management experience. That includes everything from small events to weddings to large trade shows and I feel those skill sets apply really well. Also some sort of production experience is also very important. If you are a circus person the primary meat and bones of our show is circus acts. So understanding all of those things would make you well rounded for being able to a job like this and to enjoy a job like this.
We must ask… are you a circus person then?
I am. I am based in Arizona and do aerial hoop. I teach and train and perform there. I am also touring with different productions as the company manager too.
What is your profession’s greatest challenge?
I think just keeping all of the details straight. You have to have good systems in place because at any given moment I am talking to 10 different cities about the shows we are doing in just a couple of weeks. Keeping up the pace with all of those details, taking good notes and following up and that is definitely the hardest part. Everything is important – from making sure the cast and crew are fed, to making sure the bus picks us up on time, to making sure that we have our hotel rooms – all of those little details and logistics are going to allow us to be successful and provide an amazing show for families.
There is a production manager who handles all of the production details such as the load in, getting set up and working with the local crews.
I sometimes describe my job as an administrative assistant who is also a manager. It is definitely a lot of paperwork, planning, following up and lots of details. Also it is important that people feel like they are being taken care of and are feeling healthy, good and keeping up with the pace and enjoying themselves.
How long is the CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE tour?
It is 7 weeks of travel and we have been together for 8 weeks by the last show.
Is this an annual production with new performers and crew each year?
It is my first year with CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE and some people come and go. Throughout the year I do similar things for other companies too.
I like it and I will probably do it again next year!
How many cities will you visit over the course of the tour?
60 cities over the 7 touring weeks.
It is a lot. And it is not just our tour. We have three tours on the road at the same time for a total of 60 cities.
How do you travel?
Mostly by bus and we do have some flights here and there for longer distances. The bus driver is the same driver the whole time and they become part of our family too.
How many performers and crew make up one touring production?
In mine, all in, I have 35 made up of 26 performers, 6 crew members and 3 management including myself
How many costumes are seen on stage during CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE?
So many. I am not even sure exactly because they have so many changes. The costumes are one of my favorite things about this show. They are so extravagant and so over the top. If you saw someone walking around the street wearing one you would be concerned. But in the show, they look so amazing.
Some of the performers have 2, 3, 4, even 5 changes depending on which acts they are in. I am taking a wild guess 20-40 different costumes, if not more.
How long will you be in East Lansing at Wharton Center?
We will be there for three nights. December 18, 19 and 20.
When you visit a town, or tour stop, do you seek out anything locally?
Oh yes! Especially since it is during the holidays! A lot of our cast and crew are going to holiday things like going to little pop up markets, going ice skating and seeing Christmas tree lights. It is also a lot of fun and we try our best to get a taste of the local culture so we go to the local coffee shop and local restaurants instead of trying a chain we may know. That is part of the fun of being on tour!
Wharton Center is right on Michigan State University’s campus and there, you will be in the middle of it all!
How fun!
You mentioned a moment ago you are an aerialist?
I am, when I am at home, not when I am traveling.
I perform locally in Arizona. Mostly corporate stuff but I also do event management and produce different circus shows.
How did you begin?
About 15 years ago I just thought it looked cool. I tried to find somewhere locally to try it and like any sort of physical movement people get addicted to it once you start (like CrossFit and Yoga)
Also as an adult, how often do you ever go upside down? Like never. So when you start doing this as an adult you want to do it all the time.
Were you a daredevil as a child?
Oh, no, no, no. I was very much a type A, careful personality.
That is why I feel it is approachable by everybody. If I had kids, I would take my kids to circus classes. It is so fun and so empowering.
Do you do aerial yoga?
I have. That is hard and it is a workout.
Who should plan to see CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE?
Everyone! It is great for all ages.
How long is the show?
About 2 hours and there is an intermission.
What do your sister’s kids think of what you do?
They think I’m so cool! Both for the performing, and touring and managing the show.
My oldest niece and nephew have tried it aerial, and like it, but are very far from performing.
What would you say to kids who plan to go?
How exciting! I usually say it has a little bit of everything for everybody but for a kid, it is a little hard. They are going to see things they have never seen before and it’s hard to imagine. So it is hard to get them excited about it. There are some reference points, such as, there are a lot of people in the air, there will be great music they know and some of their favorite holiday songs.
I hear kids who see the show immediately ask their parents how do people do that and also hear them ask how they can start doing it!
If people would like to know more about CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE where should they look?
Visit our website cirquedreams.com. It has all of our tour dates, a little bit about us and also auditions if some of those kids grow up and want to join us!
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Tawnya, thank you! We hope you enjoy your visit to the Greater Lansing area and see some of what the area has to offer! CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE sounds like a festive mix of aerial acts, acrobatics, seasonal music favorites and more! Not to mention a PERFECT performance the week before Christmas. We are counting down the days to see CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE!
