I recently had the opportunity to speak with Claudine Rivard, Company Manager at Cirque’s show Quidam. Now showing at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, it will be at the 1st Bank Center through Sunday, November 12. Tickets are still available. $35 for Adults, $28 for children, Family four-packs start at $110. The show will then travel to Loveland – Nov 14-18, 2012.

The show can be a bit dark in places – but overall it is light and fun with more kids elements than many other Cirque shows. My daughter was confused by trying to follow the storyline. But, both of my kids were awed and amazed at the fantastic physical artistry and amazed and what the people could do. They loved the fact that when we saw them practice – they were just real people – but they look VERY different with makeup and costumes on.

Gretchen (G): What do the performers to right before the show?

Claudine (C): They warm up on the blue carpet right behind the stage. When they are not on stage some of them read or knit.

G: What do they eat?

C: We set up our own catering. We try to accommodate the different tastes. They like steak and shrimp (made lots of ways). Our chef travels with us.

G: How many people are on tour?

C: There are 95 staff members – of which 52 are artists. They represent over 19 countries. We proudly display each country’s flag back stage.

G: What was your career path?

C: I was a Psychologist by trade and studies. When I was looking for a job a friend of mine told me about Cirque. You have to like what you do. I love what I do and have been with Cirque for over 10 years.

G: Do many of the performers have young families at home?

C: Life on the road can be really difficult. They work for 10 weeks and then get 2 weeks off. 10 on. Two off. Many of them go home to visit families during their weeks off – but not many of them have kids on the touring shows. The Cirque shows that stay in one location like the one’s in Vegas are the ones that have families. Only two on this show have kids.

G: (After showing me the amazing costume room – where there are up to 4 changes for each character and backups of each of those costumes – which includes shoes…) Wow, with that many costumes on tour with you – what is it like to do laundry?

C: We do 8 loads of laundry – washing AND ironing each costume for each show. When there are two shows in one day that is 16 loads! We bring our own washers and dryers along on the tour.

G: So their costumes are laundered and pressed for them – what about make-up?

C: Each of the artist does their own make-up. Usually they learn how to do it themselves in just a few times. It takes them at least an  hour to put on their make-up.

Thanks for coming. Enjoy the show!

Don’t want to miss any of Mile High Mamas’ contests and events? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you can forward these great deals to your friends.

You can also follow me on Twitter (GeeWhy93).  If I find a great deal during the week, I’ll tweet it out.