Each night that he performs with Cirque Dreams Holidaze, dancer Austin James is amazed by the circus acts he helps bring to life on stage through dance.
“There is one act that features hand balancing 30 feet in the air with no nets. They have so much confidence in what they are doing,” says James who performs with five other dancers throughout the show. “It’s awesome to see that.”
The whimsical family holiday theatrical event, which plays Altria Theater November 29 and 30th, combines a Broadway-style production with accomplished contemporary circus acts. The show’s original music score enhances the show’s lighthearted approach to the season with new twists on seasonal favorites such as “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Carol of the Bells.”
The cast features world-class performers who interact with an array of aerial circus acts, everything from sleight-of-hand jugglers to acrobats, in conjunction with a cavalcade of dancers, singers, penguins, toy soldiers and reindeer that bring magical dreams to life.
A Sacramento, Calif. native, James got interested in the world of dance in high school. His talent was obvious to a choreographer that singled him out for a spot in a dance company when James was a senior.
Currently in his third year at California State University, Fullerton, James, 20, is majoring in communications and public relations, skills he feels will help him with the business element of dance. At the same time, he has been dancing with the Mather Dance Company’s Bridge program, a stepping stone into the industry.
Securing the Cirque Dreams Holidaze tour was a huge step in his career. “I was thrilled,” says James. “We started rehearsing for the show on November 1.”
During rehearsals and touring, he’s been spending a lot of his time getting to know his fellow dancers and the up-to-10 circus acts in the show.
“It’s so amazing to get to see and work with different people from different backgrounds and hear their stories,” he says. “Talking about how they fell in love with their craft is truly amazing.”
He admits there are some language barriers since the acts hail from around the world but for the most part, “everyone has a good sense of English,” he says.
During the tour, the show will perform shows in over 60 cities and James has been thrilled with the nightly response from the audience.
“Audiences are super interactive,” he says. “They have a really good time.”
Tickets are available at Altria Theater Box Office, www.BroadwayInRichmond.com, or by phone at 1-800-514-3849(ETIX).
