The Afghan Mobile Mini Circus for Children (MMCC) is a traveling educational entertainment group in Afghanistan. MMCC accepts children aged 5–17 to learn juggling, unicycling, acrobatics, singing, comedy, theatre, and magic tricks. The organization’s goal is to spread joy and bring laughter back to the children of the war-torn country.
The Diversify The Stage community rolled out their DTS Inclusion Initiative on November 30th, 2021. Goal of this initiative is to make room for women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and others who traditionally have faced trouble breaking into the entertainment industry and especially into the music touring industry.
This past June, concert touring veteran Lance “KC” Jackson celebrated 44 consecutive years in the live entertainment industry. The many artists KC has worked with include Luther Vandross, Boyz II Men, New Kids On The Block, Justin Bieber, and he is currently on the road as Production Stage Manager for Earth, Wind and Fire with Santana on the Miraculous Supernatural Tour. In this interview that he gave for PLSN (Projection Lights & Staging News) he tells us about his fascinating touring career.
Beginning of June this year, at the NAMM Show in California, Roadies of Color United (ROCU) hosted the Promoting Diversity Within the Industry panel. ROCU have been active in the music industry since 2009. Founded by Lance “K.C.” Jackson and William “Bill” Reeves, this organization continuously promotes diversity and equality for music industry professionals working backstage.
Being an ascendent of the founder of Swiss Circus Monti, Guido Muntwyler, Mario Muntwyler has grown up within the circus. He is both a performer and an administrator, enjoys both roles, and is passionate about circus life. In our interview, he gives us insights into the workings and tour life of Circus Monti.
Taishu Engeki is a genre of popular theatre in Japan. It is often described as “light theatre” and compared to forms such as musical theatre and revues. Taishu Engeki is a very special form of Japanese theatre which seeks closeness to the audience and presents itself in a light-hearted manner. However, Taishu Engeki is also a constantly evolving art form which bends both gender and genre.
The opera Sleepless is based on a book by Norwegian author Jon Fosse. It was adapted for the opera by Hungarian composer Peter Eötvös and director Kornél Mundruczó. The astounding Sleepless does not only offer an intriguing and rather unusual set design. The opera is also a thought-provoking modern take on the classical story of Maria and Joseph. In it, a heavily pregnant woman and her partner are refugees seeking shelter in an unwelcoming foreign land.
Aimee Poulin is the artistic producer at the Toronto-based Crane Creations Theatre Company. They love to create plays which make people think. Plays which encourage discussion in a way film and TV cannot. In this second part of our interview, Aimee speaks about the current projects of Crane Creations. The importance of thought and debate. The difficulties of being able to make a living in theatre in Canada. And about how artists can shape society with their visions and creativity.
Aimee Poulin is the artistic producer at the Toronto-based Crane Creations Theatre Company. They love to create plays which make people think. Plays which encourage discussion in a way film and TV cannot. In this first part of our interview, Aimee speaks about her life and career in entertainment. Her passion for working meaningfully in our industry. And her vision for a theatre experience which engages deeply with its audiences whilst aiming to be accessible for all.
The origin of modern circus has been attributed to Philip Astley. He was an Englishman and former cavalry Sergeant-Major turned showman who set up the first modern amphitheatre for the display of horse-riding tricks in Lambeth, London, on 4 April 1768. Astley did not invent trick horse riding. Nor was he the first to introduce acts such as acrobats and clowns to the English public. But he was the first individual to create a space where all these acts were brought together to perform a show.
Looking more closely into socially engaged circus, and into Clowns in particular, there is one person who stands out. Many of you might be aware of him due to Robin Williams portraying him in a Hollywood movie in 1998: Patch Adams. A man who is best known for his work as a medical doctor and a clown. He is also a social activist who has devoted forty years to changing health care.
Ludovico Einaudi is an Italian pianist and composer. He began his career as a classical composer. Later, he incorporated other styles and genres such as pop, rock, folk, and world music. However, no label can truly describe the magical sensitivity and energy of his compositions. Einaudi is truly unique and, in my humble opinion, attending one of his concerts is a life changing experience.
Coldplay have launched their Kinetic Energy Tour as a means of incorporating sustainability into music and entertainment, and pledging their devotion to being more green and eco-friendly on their new Music Of The Spheres World Tour in 2022. How does it work? The band have long been fans of innovative methods of working, as recognised […]
Michelle Eve Wuthrich worked as an acrobat for some of the greatest circus shows on the globe. Her skillset is so versatile that for a while she worked as a house troupe member for the aquatic show The House of Dancing Water in Macau. There she did everything from dance choreographies to aerial to high diving. Then, about 4 years ago, Michelle decided to leave the world onstage. Now she is building an outdoor adventure business together with her husband in Guatemala. In this interview, Michelle tells us about her new home, her motivations and vision.
So you’re thinking of working in the UAE but don’t know whether it’s right for you? It can be hard to get a clear picture of what it’s really like before you go. This is partly because there are laws against criticising the government and people don’t want to say anything that could possibly be interpreted as negative. You might also find conflicting advice as laws can change very quickly and there are some confusing grey areas. Most sources in English about life in the UAE are written by well-off, ex-pat women and travel bloggers, and your experience as an event professional will have little in common with them (sorry!). Plus going for a few months, as is common in live events, is different from being a long-term resident.
Msoke and I met many years ago when he was still known as Namusoke and had just begun making a name for himself as a musician in Switzerland. Never giving up on his dreams, Msoke evolved ever more over the years, as a man, a person, and as the great musician he is today.
I’ve been on the road for the better part of a decade, so I’ll easily admit that I’m biased in favor of tour life, but it’s fascinating to hear what other people think my work is like. Mostly they see the glamour of a life that some only dream of being paid to travel across the country or even the world. They’re less enamored when they hear what my work schedule actually entails and that I’m not some carefree nomad having adventures and playing pretend every night. Still, I bet most would give it a go if they ever got the chance.
We are regularly publishing interviews and updates around the group Roadies of Color United (R.O.C.U.). An international, professional association which is based in the USA. Today, we are happy to share the news that R.O.C.U. are being recognized on the 2021 Pollstar Impact 50 List as ‘Transcending Confines.’ Read more here about what Pollstar has to say about R.O.C.U.
Touring entertainment productions travel millions of miles every year. The trucks moving much of the equipment for these productions burn diesel fuel, emitting thousands of tons of carbon dioxide, a leading contributor to the climate crisis. However, touring green is still possible if you take these steps.
Don’t let your dream of touring or working in the USA become a nightmare! Do your homework, plan well in advance and follow these essential tips to success.
Bruce Reiter is a sound engineer who also works as a tour manager and production manager. For the last eleven years he has worked for the Heavy Metal band Five Finger Death Punch. Bruce shares his experiences in an industry he loves with us. He speaks about staying healthy on tour. About the importance of kindness in the music industry. About how we can learn from each other. And about how we have a responsibility to speak up if we see or hear things which are discriminating. Stand up for each other.
E’lyse Murray is the owner and manager of the boutique entertainment agency Elyse Group 7. This is another article in a series in which we highlight members of Roadies of Color United (R. O. C. U.). E’lyse Murray has more than three decades of experience in the music entertainment industry, in producing events, and in artist administration. In this interview she tells us about her work, her passion, and about not giving up no matter what obstacles you may find on your way.
Daychia Sledge is a successful audio engineer. She has experience as a recording engineer in the studio, as a live sound engineer, and as a sound engineer for television. As part of an interview series with members of Roadies Of Color United (R. O. C. U.), this story in three parts focuses on Daychia. She tells us about her life and how amazing circumstances, great timing, hard work, grit, focus, and determination aided her in making her dreams come true. This is the last part pf Daychia’s inspiring career odyssey: Part 3.
Daychia Sledge is a successful audio engineer. She has experience as a recording engineer in the studio, as a live sound engineer, and as a sound engineer for television. As part of an interview series with members of Roadies Of Color United (R. O. C. U.), this story in three parts focuses on Daychia. She tells us about her life and how amazing circumstances, great timing, hard work, grit, focus, and determination aided her in making her dreams come true. This is Part 2 of 3.
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