Windsor Native Ocampo Leads Cirque du Soleil to the Palace January 22 to 24, 2016
Experience Pandora Like You’ve Never Seen it Before Through Toruk – The Fight Flight!
While local area residents have a lot to be proud of through sports, arts and culture, many may not be aware of one individual in particular, Michael Ocampo, head coach for Cirque du Soleil.
Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Michael Ocampo has been working with Cirque du Soleil since 1993. He began his career with the company as a tumbler performing the Fast Track number in Alegria, then later joined the cast of Saltimbanco. After his performance career, Michael became a coach at Cirque du Soleil’s International Headquarters in Montreal and for the touring show, Quidam. He later became the Head Coach for Saltimbanco, Dralion, and Varekai.
Before joining Cirque du Soleil, Michael competed internationally with the Canadian Tumbling Team and attended the World Championships in 1991 and 1993. He has a B.A. in English from Athabasca University as well as certificates in Massage Therapy, Personal Training through NASM, Pilates and Yoga. Michael is also an avid runner.
As a former Cirque du Soleil artist, Michael loves having the opportunity to assist current artists not only in their professional lives, but also through the transition to life in the arts following a career in performance.
Catch TORUK – The First Flight this weekend at the Palace of Auburn Hills (January 22-24). The show is a live immersive multimedia spectacle that brings to the stage the breathtaking world of James Cameron’s AVATAR like you have never seen it before!
Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron’s imaginary world and “makes the bond” between two kindred artistic visions that capture the imagination.
This live immersive experience also bears the distinct signature of directors and multimedia innovators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. It is a living ode to the Na’vi’s symbiotic coexistence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things.
Narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller” and populated by unforgettable characters, TORUK – The First Flight is a mythical tale set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film AVATAR, and before any humans ever set foot on Pandora.
When a natural catastrophe threatens to destroy the sacred Tree of Souls, Ralu and Entu, two Omaticaya boys on the brink of adulthood, fearlessly decide to take matters into their own hands. Upon learning that Toruk can help them save the Tree of Souls, they set out, together with their newfound friend Tsyal, on a quest high up in the Floating Mountains to find the mighty red and orange predator that rules the Pandoran sky. Prophecy is fulfilled when a pure soul rises among the clans to ride Toruk for the first time and save the Na’vi from a terrible fate.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, please visit cirquedusoleil.com/toruk