Cirque Dreams Contest Winner Announced As 8 Year Old Gymnast From Bellevue

DREAMS COME TRUE... CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION and Seattle Theatre Group (STG) have teamed up to make one aspiring local gymnasts' dream come true. On Sunday, May 2, Seattle contestants auditioned to "Run Away with Cirque Dreams" at an open casting call at Gameworks in downtown Seattle. Today it is announced that 8-year old Saffi Watson of Bellevue, Washington has been chosen to perform on stage with CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION when the show plays at STG's Moore Theatre in Seattle, Washington, May 20 - 23, 2010.

Saffi is about to experience her first professional showbiz role. CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION will mark her theatrical debut in a highly entertaining Broadway-style production. Saffi will train, rehearse and be staged in a custom designed costume appearing alongside Cirque Dreams ensemble of some of the best athletes, gymnasts and artists in the world including "So You Think You Can Dance" phenomenon, Robert Muraine. Additionally, Saffi will receive 6 complimentary tickets to the show to share the experience with others.

"Saffi's gymnastic skills have enabled us to create a special role for her in the show," said Broadway producer and Cirque Dreams creator Neil Goldberg. "Her performance will captivate audiences at STG's Moore Theatre as it did our creative team when he auditioned at Gameworks in downtown Seattle. It's just passing the dream forward." Goldberg added, "I too was once that dreamer who imagined one day being part of a professional Broadway experience...now it's Saffi's break."

Saffi Watson, is an 8 year-old gymnast from Bellevue, Washington. She is a second grade student at Puesta del Sol Elementary, where she enrolled in Spanish emersion classes. Saffi studies rhythmic gymnastics at Sound Ballet Theatre under the direction Tiana Grow, former choreographer for the Ukrainian Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympics. She has also studied contortion with Vita Radionova of Teatro ZinZanni. Saffi has been a featured performer for the past 2 years in SANCA's Moisture Festival.

Climb aboard the all new CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION journey, from the creators of Broadway's groundbreaking hit and only show of its kind to ever perform on Broadway, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy. "Full of streetsmart stunts and acrobatic invention" raves the Columbus Dispatch, and proclaimed, "A Dalí-esque cacophony of sound, light and movement", by the Tampa Tribune, CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION will ignite Seattle when it performs at STG's Moore Theatre beginning May 20 - 23 for 6 performances only. Tickets are on sale now.

CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION blends world renowned imagination, critically acclaimed theatrical innovation and breathtaking presentation into a story that illuminates a city of everyday people, workers and pedestrians, into feats of disbelief. Marvel as 27 world-class artists illuminate objects, balance on wires, leap structures and redefine flight with entertaining variety, comedy and extraordinary occurrences that reinvent everyday life. Urban acrobatics, dazzling choreography and brilliant illusions are ignited by special effects performed to a stylish original score of jazz, salsa, ballroom, pop and trendy beats from the streets. CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION outshines its brand notoriety as hailed "Dazzling! A reason to stand up and cheer" by the New York Daily Newsand "The grandest circus spectacle east of Vegas" by New York Magazine.

Created and directed by Neil Goldberg, CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION is the latest brainchild of Goldberg's theatrical imagination and the Cirque Dreams brand of entertainment, creators of international performance, touring and Broadway sensations Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Cirque Dreams Pandemonia, Cirque Dreams Coobrila, Cirque Ingenieux and the first show of its kind at sea...Cirque Dreams & Dinner on board the new NCL EPIC. Over 50 million fans worldwide have attended a Cirque Dreams show in the past decade.

CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION is the company's 14th production since originating in 1993. "The Cirque Dreams brand of quality, originality and value combined with Broadway theatrics and international circus artistry continues to transcend imagination and appeal to audiences of all ages" says Goldberg. Critics and audiences alike have praised Cirque Dreams shows as "A whiz-bang family friendly spectacle" (LA Times), "Pure talent on a stage" (New Yorker) and "Executed to perfection." (Chicago Sun Times). The New York Daily Newsproclaims "There have only been a handful of shows that have generated an exclamation point as assertive as the ones created and directed by Neil Goldberg."

CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION comes to Seattle Theatre Group's Moore Theatre May 20 - 23, 2010 for six performances only. Tickets are affordably priced from $19.50 - $50.00 and may be purchased via phone 1-877-784-4849, in person at the Moore Theatre Box Office or online at www.stgpresents.org. Groups of 10 or more may call 1.866.798.7469 for a discount.

About STG
STG is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

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