RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
As Cirque du Soleil brings its newest big top creation, Echo, to North Texas, Fabrice Lemire has found his way into the world of Cirque as the show’s artistic director.
But he’s also found something more: The former dancer/choreographer has evolved naturally into his role beyond serving the show’s integrity and the well-being of the cast.
The position itself is already one of massive responsibility.
“The job absorbs everything you may know about the artistic role for another dance or theater company, in which you are responsible for the quality of the product, the quality on stage, the evolution of the show as well as the quality of your performance,” Lemire explained.
He also feels a parental responsibility to his performers as well. First, he leaves the role of the person who created the show and hits the road with the cast and crew. But on the road, he finds that he helps support this “child” and lets it fly with each show.
“It’s like being an adoptive father,” he said.
Cirque du Soleil’s Echo opened on Thursday and runs through May 3 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie.
Lemire began as a dancer, but early in his career, his focus shifted. He was far more interested in creation and collaboration. Mixed with injuries from dance, he opted to move beyond the dance world. In 2005, he crossed paths with Cirque du Soleil and was ultimately offered a job.
Ironically, the position he was hired for didn’t quite exist.
“I had to fly myself to Montreal for a couple of interviews with two shows that were in the middle of creation,” he recalled.
He made an impression though: “They wanted someone who could attend to the show’s quality. That person told me, ‘I don’t know what it is, but I have a job for you.’ And that’s the way it started.”
Echo’s story follows an inquisitive young woman named Future as she wanders into a fantasy world that explores humanity’s sacred bond with animals and nature. When she encounters a mysterious Cube, she learns how her actions have the power to shape this world by coming together to create the world we all want to live in.
Well, that sounds relatable.
With tales of journeys and self-discovery, Cirque du Soleil shows can resonate deeply due to their narrative focus with themes that are similar to those central to the queer experience. Lemire agrees completely with viewing Echo through that lens.
“We as gay people can see, and we interpret it the way we want to see it and want to be emotionally transported,” Lemire, who is openly bisexual, said of the show’s power. “The driving force on stage for us is the character of Future. Yes, it’s portrayed by a young woman, but it could be any gender. Absolutely anyone can be there, and then that thread is holding your hand.”
Lemire’s own journey with Echo is coming to an end — but not his journey with Cirque. A dual American-French citizen based in Tucson, Az., he is already looking for his next challenge.
“I think it’s unfair for me to be in the same show for long. Then you become … you stop pushing the way you should because you think that they heard it and they don’t want to move with it, or simply just to become you accept the status quo,” he said. “I’m always on the lookout for what could be my next chapter.”
For tickets visit CirqueDuSoleil.com.