12 Sep Julien Panel of Cirque du Soleil
Julien Panel, Cirque du Soleil’s Head of Casting and Advisor – Resident Shows, talks about some of the things he looks for when evaluating talent.
Julien Panel shares casting insights
We have the great privilege of welcoming Julien Panel back for the second year in a row as a Circus Star USA judge. Julien is Head of Casting and Advisor – Resident Shows for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. As a former Cirque du Soleil performer and high-level artistic gymnast, Julien has a keen eye for talent. We asked him a few questions about what he looks for when evaluating performers.
Q: When casting performers, what do you look for technically, artistically, strength and flexibility-wise?
Julien Panel: Great quality of movement and precision of execution is key. Unicity and very good physical fitness is also a very important factor.
Q: What experience or skills do you like to see in a performer’s background?
Julien Panel: Whatever background the performer is from, experience is important but not a deal breaker. Stage presence is one of the most important things we look for, no matter what the discipline performed is.
Q: What is the single most important factor in your decision?
Julien Panel: The “wow” factor.
Q: What are some big no-nos and pet peeves at auditions?
Julien Panel: Lack of control, trying a new skill for the first time at an audition is big no-no.
Q: What’s your advice for up-and-coming performers who aspire to work with you?
Julien Panel: Be unique. Be different. Be yourself.
Stage presence is one of the most important things we look for, no matter what the discipline performed is.
Julien Panel, Head of Casting and Advisor – Resident Shows, Cirque du Soleil
Can you find Julien on the Cirque du Soleil casting team wall?
A look behind-the-scenes with Cirque du Soleil Casting!
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