Cirque vida is excited to bring a new evening length cabaret filled with jaw-dropping acrobats, aerialists and contortionists. A thrilling spectacle offering a new take on traditional circus.
Join us at the new RADIO/EAST for this one night only outdoor cabaret.
Create. Perform. Repeat.
CirqueVida is a contemporary circus company rooted in ensemble circus, acrobatics, and dance; it aims to tell meaningful human stories using the virtuosity of gravity-defying circus. Cirque Vida brings small cast shows to the Austin area, focusing on narrative stories that celebrate life in all its fascinating and intricate manifestations. Cirque Vida hopes to expand the visibility of circus arts through annual full-length theater shows, artistic collaboration, and youth outreach.
Under the direction of Mexican American founder Xochitl Sosa, Cirque Vida brings a unique and much-needed LatinX lens to this art form. With a commitment to more diversity in the circus arts, Cirque Vida hopes to aid in social discourse within the genre. The duality of her bicultural LatinX upbringing floods over into her work. Cirque Vida invites the audience into this world of duality, exploring the intimacy of human vulnerability with the strength and daring of circus, acrobatics, and a spectrum of other technical movement disciplines. Focusing on narrative storytelling that examines the connection and dynamic energy of ensemble choreography, in juxtaposition with the isolated individual story, creates the rhythms of Cirque Vida’s shows. This narrative approach, and Xochitl’s integrative style, is the perfect vehicle for people to explore the stories of others. Circus invites people to imagine a world quite different from their own. Through this approach, we hope to bring awareness of social issues and allow for transformation, adaptation, and empathy as bridges for the divides between us.
Circus has come a long way from the traditional tented circus. Contemporary circus developed in the late 20th century and has continued to evolve. Now the leading type of circus worldwide, it is surrounded by communities of researchers, academics, and accredited schools. Contemporary circus is much more story- and character-based than traditional ones; it often incorporates non-traditional circus skills such as various dance styles, musical variety, and a central theme. It usually connects the audience to the performers through a more intimate setting and aesthetic, drawing on current societal trends.
CirqueVida is thrilled to bring this art form to Central Texas.
It is commonly said within the circus community that “circus is for everyone.” This is true in that circus arts have been used as a medium to teach kids individual wellness and to develop self-esteem through physical and emotional confidence. One of circus arts’ most significant attributes is that it creates drive and autonomy. Circus is physically and mentally demanding but also fun and playful. This duality pushes kids to keep growing, exploring, and learning. We believe that circus arts teach us to be better humans.
Cirque Vida wants to pass along the torch of circus arts to youth. Through both educational opportunities and free presentations. We hope to make circus arts accessible to kids who might not have regular access to art.
With our roots firmly planted in Austin, TX, Cirque Vida will catalyze the arts community with local seasonal full-length shows and unique collaborative projects. We strive to be dependable work for local artists. One of our goals at Cirque Vida is to increase circus arts’ visibility, viability, and accessibility locally and nationwide.
We want to enrich peoples lives
Our success depends on the strength of our team. Circus in The USA has widely underrepresented artists of color CirqueVida strives to create shows that enable people to tell their stories and change the narrative.
Born in Oakland, CA, Xochitl Sosa grew up sandwiched between the bay area's urban culture and the redwoods' fertile soils. Growing up with a Mexican father and a white mother, duality has been a constant in Xochitl’s life. Exposure to circus arts at a young age gave Xochitl a purpose. Opening opportunities, circus arts taught her how to balance life and direct her duality into art. These experiences that shaped her upbringing construct the narrative of her choreography. Specializing in aerial dance, she has been a highlighted artist and coach in the circus community since 2007. Her original work has won such praise as an Isadora Duncan Award. She has worked as an artist, most notably with Cirque du Soleil, Acrobatic Conundrum, and Zaccho Dance Theater.
Xochitl recognizes circus arts as a limitless vehicle for storytelling. Its intensity and risk call for trust, communication, vulnerability, and presence. As Founder and Artistic Director of Cirque Vida, a new contemporary circus company, Xochitl innovatively merges disciplines to highlight human experiences. Recognizing the need for diverse narratives, Xochitl is committed to collaborating and creating space for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists to bring their stories to the stage.
Celeste Bliss is an aerialist, mother, massage therapist, and arts manager originally from Austin, Texas. She received her circus training at the New England Center for Circus Arts and the Québec Circus School, specializing in duo trapeze. Celeste is intrigued by the intersection of varying artistic disciplines and mediums. Her circus practice is focused on exploring pathways and transitions on her apparatus.
During the pandemic, Celeste studied arts management at the University of Massachusetts. She has worked for multiple arts organizations in the North East as an administrator and producer (she is currently working for Machine de Cirque in Québec City).
As the managing director of Cirque Vida, Celeste is motivated and inspired to help realize the company's artistic vision, always prioritizing the quality and integrity of the art.
Innovate. Evolve. Perform.
To create innovative art, we must look beyond the parameters established by the art form. Circus is ever-changing and evolving: dance, athleticism, daring, storytelling, and humor. It can exist in a tent, on stage, or a street corner. Cirque Vida wants to emphasize the boundlessness of circus arts through collaboration. We want to expand and integrate with Austin's already thriving arts scene. This collaboration is not only artistically fulfilling but can also help bring recognition to contemporary circus arts.
We are open to new collaborations. If you are interested in working with us, please contact us.
.Cirque Vida’s cabaret series offers evening length performances with a rotating cast of artists. Our seasonal shows at different venues around the Austin area, are a great way to spend a weekend evening enjoying tasty cocktails and mesmerizing circus shows with alternating world class performers and themes. Stay updated on our upcoming performances by following us on social media or signing up for our mailing list.
Cirque Vida's first full-length show, “Ventanas,” premiered August 2023. We are currently working on rebooted this show for 2024 and will announce dates and location by early 2024. Cirque Vida invites you to glimpse into our lives through the dim light of a window. Using a combination of dynamic circus, dance, and acrobatics, our cast explores the complexities of our closest relationships — and familiarity with day-to-day routines. As relationships develop and lives intersect, we will pull the curtains back and share our most private moments of laughter, pain, and vulnerability with you. Join us for a 75 min show centering around the quirky characters of an apartment building.
I grew up in a small apartment building. The building was cheaply made with thin walls and no overhead lights. The neighbors I regularly interacted with were like characters in a book, each apartment with its storyline. I share a special bond with the kids I grew up with. Smells and voices wafted effortlessly through the walls and the floorboards. This building gave me glimpses into other people’s worlds. Divided only by thin walls, ‘Ventanas’ follows the story of an apartment building and its inhabitants as their lives flow and intersect.
— Xochitl Sosa
Thomas is a versatile movement artist. With a background in breakdance, parkour, martial arts, dance, and acting; He studied Theater and Dance at Keene State in New Hampshire. Thomas has toured internationally as a dancer in Pilobolus’s Shadowland as well as performed physical theatre in the off Broadway production of The Saintliness of Margery Kemp. He is also the other 1/2 of The Accidental Acrobats, an acrobatic comedy show that tours nationally at festivals and special events.
Thomas loves to create movement that is both powerful and fluid. He aims to embody the elements in his movement expression and is very excited to bring his energy to the cast of Cirque Vida.
Leila Noone is a versatile movement artist, nationally ranked gymnast, four-time American Ninja Warrior, competitive ballroom dancer, and circus performer. She spent many years doing community theater and has traveled worldwide to perform with different circus companies. She is 1/2 of The Accidental Acrobats and loves to fly with her aerial show Unspun Tales.
Leila loves to explore what it means to be a human through playful, curious, quirky, humorous, & acrobatic character development and improvised movement. She is incredibly thankful for creative collaboration, storytelling, and the opportunity to evolve over and over again as a human and artist-athlete.
Born in Oakland, CA, Josh has a Shaolin Black belt in Kung Fu. He has advanced Parkour, Rock climbing, gymnastics, and cliff jumping training. Josh has qualified as a national finalist on American Ninja Warrior. Josh has completed his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas in San Antonio. Currently, Josh is working towards his certification in sky diving.
Josh connects with the color red. He is free-spirited, honorable, and a warrior. Besides his athletic accomplishments, Josh owns The Jungle Movement Academy in Austin, TX. He passes along his passion for movement and play to the next generation. The Jungle emphasizes creating a space for everyone where anyone can feel like a superhero.
Celeste Bliss is an aerialist originally from Austin, Texas. She attended the New England Center for Circus Arts and the Québec Circus School, specializing in duo trapeze. Celeste is intrigued by the intersection of varying artistic disciplines and mediums. Her circus practice is focused on exploring pathways and transitions on her apparatus.
BethanyRose Boutwell is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah. Her younger years were spent exploring the wilderness until Paula Abdul's workout tapes introduced her to dance movement. Trained in many movement styles, her primary focus is in contemporary movement, aerial and partner acrobatics. Previously, she led the way as head choreographer for circus production companies Aeris Aerial Arts and 90&9 Non-profit. She toured nationally and internationally as a performing artist with DIAVOLO | Architecture in motion. Today, Bethany is a movement educator, training for her first ultra-marathon, and is now part of Cirque Vida.
Give. Participate. Repeat.
CirqueVida is grateful for the generous support of:
See: skycandyautsin.com
See: fracturedatlas.org
Providing us with our digital presence.
We want to hear from you
If you also want to hear from us, signup for our newsletter!