Cirque du Soleil will return to UBS Arena this week with its newly revisited high-energy and high-acrobatic production OVO.
An exciting Cirque du Soleil experience, OVO is a colorful intrusion into a new day in the life of insects; a non-stop riot of energy and movement. Through show-stopping acrobatics highlighting the unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species, OVO explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy. For its relaunch in 2022, three new acts and new characters were incorporated into the joyful OVO colony to delight audiences of all ages.
Cirque du Soleil often employs former Olympians to star in their productions, including in this week’s show, OVO. OVO has two former Olympians currently performing with the show. – Olga Shcherbatykh (representing Ukraine in 2004) and Nansy Damianova (representing Canada in 2008),. Both competed in artistic gymnastics before joining OVO. We had a chance to speak with Damianova last week. Here is what she had to say.
Christy Hinko: Tell me about your path leading up to the Olympics. Did you always know the Olympics and Cirque du Soleil were things that you wanted to do professionally?
Nansy Damianova: I’ve always dreamt about going to the Olympics since I was nine years old. Some gymnasts from my club in Montreal, Canada had gone to the Sydney Olympics in 2000, which planted the seed in my head.
I loved gymnastics so much that it got me through the hard times to achieve my dreams. In 2008, I represented Canada at the Beijing Olympics in Artistic Gymnastics. I’ve always loved Cirque du Soleil shows but I never thought that I could become an artist on their stage. What they did was so mesmerizing that I couldn’t imagine being one of them. As I graduated from the University of Utah, I got a call from the Cirque du Soleil casting asking if I’d be interested in trying out Aerial Cradle. I was both scared and excited, as I wasn’t sure if I could transition into a cradle flyer
CH: Tell me about your Olympics experience.
ND: I was 17 years old at the time, and we only had two female gymnasts spots for the Olympics that year. We had a very long year of qualifications to determine who would be chosen to represent Canada so when I arrived at the Olympics, I was still very focused, and I didn’t realize I was in the Olympics until I walked out at the closing ceremonies. It was an amazing two and a half weeks being in the athletes’ village, where there is a 24/7 cafeteria with everything you can imagine. And you get to meet all the other athletes, such as Michael Phelps, and other big names. Being in the village was something special as you were surrounded by Olympians only. It was incredible.
CH: In what ways are training for the Olympics and Cirque shows similar? Any differences?
ND: It’s very different because Olympic-level training demands at least 30 hours of training per week. At 17, I was also a full-time student so it was a very full schedule. Also, in gymnastics, you are surrounded by a team of coaches who tell you what to eat, when to sleep, how to take care of your body, etc. At Cirque du Soleil, we are all professionals who practice their discipline. We need to be able to perform almost every day, compared to gymnastics where you plan to peak in certain competitions, which can be only four times a year. Plus, at Cirque du Soleil, we travel full-time and change city or country every week.
CH: What is the best part of performing with Cirque du Soleil?
ND: Being in front of a crowd and doing something that I love. And seeing people appreciate and enjoy our shows while in action. During our performance, we have moments where we have time to look into the crowd and see (and hear.) people’s reactions, which gives us goosebumps. The traveling part is also one of my favorites as it allows me to see many places I never thought I’d be able to visit. I’ve been to more than 50 countries while on the road with Cirque du Soleil which I’m very grateful for.
Damianova was born in France, to Bulgarian parents, and then raised in Montreal, Canada. Her parents were athletes in the Bulgarian national team–her father in taekwondo and her mother in rowing–and they made her join a gymnastics club when she was nine.
She continued training and started participating in international competitions. She won a bronze medal at the Pan-American Games in 2006 in asymmetric bars. Her hard work finally led her to the Beijing Olympics game in 2008 where she could fulfill her dreams to be part of the world competition.
Damianova continued to compete and won three silver medals in asymmetric bars, floor exercises and vaulting at the 2009 Gymnix World Cup. She wanted to continue to train as a gymnast and joined the University of Utah to be with their gymnastics team.
In 2015, she joined OVO as a flyer artist in the aerial cradle act. She will perform in OVO as a scarab.
OVO will perform at the UBS Arena from Aug. 15 through 18. Visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/ovo for more information.
