Chinese acrobats tumble into Wheaton
There will be hoop diving, somersaults on the Russian bar, single-hand balancing, martial arts and a demonstration by a contortionist.
And that's all before intermission.
The National Acrobats of China will stage a single performance Saturday at Wheaton College's Edman Chapel as part of the company's debut tour through the United States.
The show is one of nine events in the 2008-09 Wheaton College Artist Series.
"We have a commitment to the fine arts. That's really where we focus," said Dave Reifsnyder, the college's promotion manager. "This kind of event is incredibly family focused."
In a translated e-mail message sent through the troupe's management company, Columbia Arts Management, one of the troupe's two directors, Yao Jianguo, responded to questions about the group.
Here are some excerpts:
Q. How do you train to become an acrobat?
A. In the People's Republic of China, there are more than 50 to 70 official and state-owned acrobatic troupes in different provinces. Each troupe has its own artists and trainees of different ages. They are trained for four to five years, during which up to a third of the trainees may give up.
The training includes hand stands, different somersaults and tumbling, juggling (hands and feet), balancing and aerial talent.
Q. Which feats are the most demanding, the most exhilarating, the most impressive to the audience?
A. The Icarian Group (boys juggle, do somersaults and tumbling) hasn't been seen in America. Our hoop-diving act is also very strong and will make you breathless.
The Single Hand Standing act is the one you must see. Ye Mingzhu, 15, is the angel of our company. She will conquer your eyes with her incredible skills and strength of balancing by one hand on her performing platform. She gained two years of experience with Cirque du Soleil in 2006 and 2007.
Most of the acts that the audience will watch this time are the international and national circus or acrobatic festivals' golden winners.
Q. How do you synchronize with each other?
A. Each acrobatic act was choreographed by the director or veteran acrobatic artists who edited the act with specially made or rearranged music according to the timing of different movements.
Q. How do you stay physically fit?
A. It's very important for the acrobats to keep in good shape. But it's often a big challenge for them because they are young people. You can't keep a good shape by only practicing and training. With that, you will have to control your eating demands. They have to refuse the lures of various delicious food products and sacrifice some of the food liberties that other young people enjoy in their daily life.
Q. What are your impressions of U.S. audiences?
A. The company of National Acrobats of China just completed its tour in California with 14 full-house shows and we received a warm reaction from the audience.
If you go
What: Performance by National Acrobats of China
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
Where: Wheaton College's Edman Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton
Tickets: $31-$48 for adults, $21-$41 for students and seniors
Info: (630) 752-5010 or wheaton.edu