Artistic director found jubilation with 'Alegria '

Brooke Webb does not come from a circus background. She was not trained from childhood to juggle, walk the tightrope or swing from the trapeze, and she laughs at the idea of becoming a contortionist.

That lack of experience, however, makes her perfect for Cirque du Soleil.

Ms. Webb is the artistic director of Alegria , one of 19 Cirque du Soleil productions, and one of two developed for arenas. The touring production opens a five-day, eight-performance run Wednesday at James Brown Arena.

Ms. Webb's background is in theater. She said that although her experience with traditional stage productions is far from the physical fantasies spun by Cirque troupes, the goals are similar.

"The beauty of performance," she said in a recent telephone interview. "It's a goal that's always the same. It's always about challenging the audience and is really what has grounded me in this."

Still, the idea of running away and joining the Cirque was intimidating. Cirque du Soleil has high standards and attracts international-caliber performers, athletes and artisans. Alegria employs 55 performers from 17 countries.

"It's funny, because it really does have its own dynamic," she said, her accent revealing her Australian roots. "And because of that, there is no live performance like it."

Alegria was developed in 1994 as a touring big-top show. Ms. Webb said restaging the production for arenas has brought renewed vigor.

"We stripped it all the way down, took it back into rehearsal," she said. "We had to bring the old and new and bring them together."

The content of a performance is often dictated by particular performer skills, Ms. Webb said.

"We have a Cirque standard," she said. "There is a level of skill every performer must bring in. But there are also always the extra things they want to show. It's the artists that keep it fresh, both for themselves and the audience."

The success of Cirque du Soleil depends on performances contrary to traditional theatrical thought, Ms. Webb said.

"Our goal is to draw the audience into what we are doing instead of projecting ourselves onto them," she said. "That's the secret."

Contact Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.