Cirque Du Soleil's Luzia is a one-of-a-kind experience described as "a surrealist escape to an imaginary Mexico," with its blend of visuals, acrobatics, and water effects that represent themes such as culture and nature. Yet, the true magic behind the show is its performers, such as Olivia Aepli and Terrance Robinson, who have put in hard work to make their dreams come true with Cirque Du Soleil.
Olivia, an Ohio native, has been a gymnast since she was three and a fan of Cirque Du Soleil since she was ten. Growing up training in gymnastics, Olivia decided to pursue her dream by submitting a demo reel on Cirque Du Soleil's casting site. Not long after, Olivia's dream was becoming her reality as she was selected to go to a 6-month training program in Montreal, where she learned the art of "swing to swing." Now cast in Luzia as one of the "Running Women," a monarch butterfly who leads the clown in the show, Olivia lives her dream every night performing swing to swing, hoop diving, and pole dance.
Terrance, who was born in St. Louis and now resides in Atlanta, has always been a street acrobat, inspired by The Ringling Brothers' shows whenever his mom had tickets. Already traveling and performing while training at a circus school in Quebec City, Terrance's childhood friends told him about an opening for a hoop diver in Cirque Du Soleil Luzia. He auditioned and was soon cast in the show.
Both performers resonate with the poetic themes of the show, which are enhanced by the element of water, adding an emotional layer and unique beauty to the production. "It's great to be able to bring different characters to life on stage and to see the work we put in to make the public happy," says Terrance. For both Olivia and Terrance, performing and travelling with their friends all over the world, including Spain and Australia, only adds to an already magical experience. "The whole thing is magical and I'm living my dream," says Olivia.
The hope each night for Olivia and Terrance is to create a moment of escape for audiences into Luzia, where they can leave their worries behind and leave with a smile. Together, they invite everyone to experience the world of Luzia for themselves.