Have you ever thought about all of the moving parts and all the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make a magical show like Cirque du Soleil’s BAZZAR work?
Last week, I got to meet Luana Ouverney Simonson, the Head of Wardrobe for Cirque du Soleil who is in town with BAZZAR, the Big Top production which will be at the zMax Dragstrip at Charlotte Motor Speedway until January 14th. She’s a big part of why the show is so colorful and magic, and somehow she is making it all work, in addition to being a traveling mom.
Not only is she Head of Wardrobe for Cirque du Soleil, she is an author (The Eco-Savvy Traveler Guidebook ), a wife (to Tom), and a MOM (to Benjamin who is 2 years and 9 months old!) And, as if that wasn’t enough – Luana broke her foot two months ago: surgery + 13 screws later – so she’s also kind of bionic. I loved getting a chance to know her and how she manages her mind-boggling schedule.
Q. How long have you been working with Cirque Du Soleil?
I started as a local in Brazil (I’m from Rio De Janeiro) in 2010. I interviewed and got a job with Cirque du Soleil, worked for a month, and then joined the tour three months later. I toured with Cirque du Soleil all over the world for five years.
Q. How did you meet your husband, Tom?
I was in Florida working on Cirque du Soleil Ovu. We met via Tinder! After meeting him, I decided to take a year sabbatical to see if we could make it work.
Q. Fast forward a few years. . . what is it like traveling with a toddler?
In a world where 70% of people do not like their jobs, Benjamin gets to be raised in an environment where we, collectively, love what we do. I love that Benjamin gets to see that. He has gotten to travel to some amazing places and see amazing things already.”
Q. What is it like to work full time, while raising a toddler and traveling from city to city?
When my husband and I made the decision to go on the road with Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR, the original plan was to travel for two to three years. In the beginning, Tom came along to support me, professionally, and to help raise Benjamin – like a stay-at-home/traveling dad. He did that for a while and then Cirque du Soleil offered him a job. We have both been working full time for 18 months now. This can be a big challenge, but we make it work.
Q. How do you make it work?
I have to do a lot of research for the show – and I have to do research, from a mom perspective, for each city we go to. So, it’s kind of like an extension of my job. I work with agencies on finding childcare as well as finding daycares that will allow us to use them short-term. There are two other moms touring with BAZZAR so we try to share babysitters, etc. Right now, I am fortunate to have my parents with us. They joined us in Texas in November and have traveled with us to Charlotte. We got to spend Thanksgiving together and we will get to spend Christmas together as well.
Q. What does a typical day look like on tour?
I get up around 6 a.m. I go to the gym and then I come home and we all have breakfast together. Then, we try to go to a park or find something to do, locally, as a family. Because I am the head of the wardrobe department, it does give me some flexibility. I have to do a lot of paperwork – which I can do from home. It’s not as flexible for my husband. His work hours are set. I have to be at the event space four to six hours prior to the show to make sure costumes are ready, shoes are painted, etc. I do have two assistants who are very helpful.
Q. What is your favorite part of the job?
I like to problem solve and I am very adaptable. You have to be when on tour. While I didn’t design the costumes for BAZZAR, I did work hand in hand with the designer. I helped to make his creative vision practical. I combine creativity with experience to ensure each costume designed has the aesthetics, functionality and longevity needed.
I like to get to know the artists to ensure that the vision the designer has for the costume actually works for the performer. Sometimes, we have to change things up to fit personalities as well as to fit what the artist needs to do their job. Maybe a particular fabric is more sustainable or will last longer.
Q. How many costumes are you working with?
Each artist has 2-3 pieces themselves – so we are traveling with over 200 pieces of costume. We also travel with our own “laundry mat” because each costume is washed following each show. In general, though, the shows themselves are meant to bring a joyful experience to the audience, and I love contributing to joy!
New perspective
Over the years, Cirque du Soleil has been known as the modern day twist on the circus (sans animals). Cirque’s performers lean into their incredible athleticism to showcase their amazing dance and acrobatic talents to tell a story and entertain the audience.
After interviewing Luana prior to the show, I watched it with a renewed sense of awe and appreciation. With every act I thought about what it took to actually get to that point and it changed the way I saw each one. I highly recommend seeing things from a different lens as there is always something new to feel and discover.
I highly recommend going to see this colorful and entertaining show that is great for all ages, young and old. Cirque du Soleil takes it back to the “roots” with this show. Bringing back the magic of the original street artists to the stage. Complete with live music! It is truly a show that you don’t want to miss.
