Zacada Circus School takes acrobatic art to new heights
Joanne McDonald
Published on
Jul 04, 2008
Kosta Zakharenko and Christine Cadeau have thrown open the window to the possibilities of acrobatic art with the first professional production of the Zacada Circus School.
The two former Cirque du Soleil performers choreographed a celebration of joy and passion that was pure magic onstage June 22 at the Dofasco Centre for the Arts in Hamilton.
The production Point of View, A Diffferent Perspective into the World of Circus was born from their shared experiences traveling the world in the circus arts. For their students at the Stoney Creek-based school, it was a chance to live their dreams as they performed with professionals who travelled from Kiev, Ukraine for the show.
"Travelling the world exposed us to many different cultures and allowed us to see many beautiful places. It changed our view of the world," said Grimsby resident Cadeau who opened the circus school last year with her husband Zakharenko.
Agility, precision, rhythm, music, lights, costumes, humour and mystique provided a colourful palette for the production. "We really wanted to introduce who we are and what we do," Cadeau said. "We're the first circus school in the area and people don't know how far you can go with the art of it."
The circus school started building the Zacada Show Team last fall after auditioning young performers and athletes. It showcases local youth including contortionist Quinten Melo of Grimsby.
"Quentin was born to be on the stage. Everything we taught him he does 10 times over on stage. He's a natural performer," Cadeau said. Other local show team performers include Lauren Lupal, Katlynn Sverko and LeeAnn Sverko of Smithville; Alyssa Kovac and Eilea Sleep of Grimsby; Stephanie Waite and Holly Walsh of Beamsville; and Alan Phung of Niagara Falls.
"We were really proud and happy to see them on stage," Cadeau said. It can be hard to persevere through the rigours of training. The reward came with the delight of the audience and the chance for students to work with the professionals. There are also growing opportunities and avenues for the art of sports acrobatics. "Sports acrobatics is not very well known," said Cadeau.
Zacada has just turned one and owners Zakharenko and Cadeau felt it was important to maintain the quality of the Cirque du Soleil and their vision for the school by staging the production to show the students what is possible and keep them inspired.
It came together with input from choreographers Sergiy Shvydkyy, Roshan Amendra and Julia Garlisi.
It was a challenging endeavour and Cadeau credited General Stage Manager Amy Wilton for much of the success. "Amy made it come together with lighting and orchestrating the cues for each number," Cadeau said.
Joining the show from Kiev, Ukraine were Yuriy Ovsyannikov, world junior and European champion and acrobatic duo Dmitri and Olga Klimenko; from Toronto, professional juggler Edward Skwirsky, Tatyana Grabarnik, aerial performer, and Abstract Breaking Systems breakdancers, Roshan Amendra, Troy Feldman and Wellesley Robertson; and from Hamilton, singer/composer Rosanna Riverso, Jordan Moir, world champion freestyle footbag player and juggler, Jonathan Morin performing on the cyr wheel and musician, actor and comedian Aubrey Boothman.
The time-honoured and rich heritage of acrobatic art is gaining new life through the Stoney Creek-based school, the first of its kind in the area.
The school offers professional training as well as recreational classes for all ages. Auditions for the Zacada Show Team will be held in July and August. There are also summer camps for children ages six to 12. Zacada Circus School is located at 687 Barton St. in Stoney Creek. For more information call 905-643-0013 or visit www.zacadacircus.com.