The Art & Technology of Cirque du Soleil

From its beginnings 30 years ago as a group of 20 street performers, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 countries. It has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in more than 40 countries on 6 continents.

Tonight our moderator, Will Travis, President of Sid Lee USA, will give the audience a glimpse into the technical “magic” driving their imaginative and daring programs. He’ll be joined by Cirque’s Director of Creation, Welby Altidor, and its Technical Director, Matthew Whelan.

They will also walk us through a case study to better illustrate their process—Michael Jackson ONE, a heartfelt tribute to the work, innovative spirit, and legacy of Michael Jackson in performance at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Technical elements of the show include a GPS tracking system equipped with sensors, 5,412 seat speakers, 26 projectors and 11 TV monitors, and a 40-ft-wide, 30-ft-high LED wall made up of 8 separate columns.

Cirque du Soleil’s mission is to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses, and evoke the emotions of people around the world. This is a rare look inside an imaginative organization that successfully blends daring artistry with cutting-edge technology.

We are very pleased that KQED Radio will be onsite taping the evening’s program for broadcast on Saturday, April 26 at 2pm.

This event is part of the Museum's acclaimed Revolutionaries speaker series, featuring renowned innovators, business and technology leaders, and authors in enthralling, educational conversations often with leading journalists. Our audiences gain insight into the remarkable process of innovation, its risks and rewards, and failure that led to ultimate success.