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Guided by top experts in specialties like High Wire, Fire Dancing, Hand Balancing, Flying Trapeze, Chinese Poles, Aerial Silks, and the Wheel of Death, the stars will have eight weeks to train and perfect their acts. Then, in a stunning and magical circus environment, they will showcase their amazing skills for America. To perform at their best, they will have to go beyond anything they have done before, pushing their bodies and minds to the limits. The stars will be joined on stage by the experts who trained them to create rich, multi-dimensional acts. Viewers can expect jaw-dropping performances and inspirational stories as the competition unfolds.
"Celebrity Circus" will follow the entire journey from the star's first terrifying climb up the high wire ladder to the last nerve-wracking rehearsal. Then our celebrities will put it all on the line, performing in our studio "big top" in front of a live audience. After each performance the competitors will face our judges, experts from the circus world, who will pull no punches in their assessment of the acts. But in the end, it's up to America's votes to determine who will be the winner of "Celebrity Circus."
With stunning visuals, dramatic stories, and breathtaking stunts, "Celebrity Circus" brings the incredible world of the Big Top into America's living rooms.
Celebrity Circus is produced by Endemol USA, the Emmy Award-winning company behind "Deal or No Deal," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Big Brother," and "Fear Factor." Matt Kunitz ("Fear Factor") and Rick Ringbakk ("The Amazing Race") serve as executive producers.
Detailed description of circus acts:
Tight Wire
The tight wire involves the art of maintaining balance. A contestant will walk along a tensioned wire between two points, either using a balancing tool (umbrella, fan, balance pole, etc.) or "freehand," using only one's body to maintain balance. This act will fall either into one of two categories: dance/movement or object manipulation.
Fire Knives
The fire knives act involves manipulation of objects on fire. These objects will usually have one or more bundles of wicking, which are soaked in fuel and ignited. The contestants will either perform juggling or baton twirling with the objects. Additionally, there is an affinity between fire dancing and rhythmic gymnastics and this will usually be performed to music.
Flying Cube
This act involves a large titanium cube that is spun and tossed in a dazzling display of coordination and skill, with the contestant performing gymnastic techniques around, within and through the cube.
Spanish Web
This is one of the most traditional circus classics involving the tradition of rope climbing. This act encompasses a mix of strength, beauty and flexibility. The contestant will climb to the ceiling only held by a firm grip on the rope.
Russian Swing
This act is also known as the human catapult. It is a fixed swing that will launch a contestant to distances over 60 feet. This is very similar to what stunt men use in explosion scenes for film and television.
Wheel of Death
This act involves a large rotating apparatus on which performers carry out synchronized acrobatic stunts. The "wheel" is actually a large beam with hooped tracks at either end, within which the contestants can stand. The apparatus rotates as the performers run around on either the inside or outside of the hoops. Contestants will also do balancing type stunts when the wheel is stationary.
Trapeze Bungee
This traditional bungee act is taken high above ground while the contestant uses the trapeze and bungee cord to dazzle the crows and float from move to move.
Tissue
In this act, the performer climbs up a piece of suspended fabric, usually 20-35 feet high. The contestant will then use the fabric to wrap, suspend, fall, swing and spiral his body in and out of various positions. Aerial acts, such as this one, are a display of athleticism and flexibility.
Hammock
A hammock is arranged and hung from the stage to create a basket to contain the performer. The hammock shows a silhouette of his figure as he creates a beautiful aerial dance for the audience.
Chinese Poles
Performers in this act will use three large poles to climb, twist, flip and turn, displaying strength and tremendous focus. A traditional part of the circus, this act is fast paced, full of energy and incorporated into the cirque styles of today.
Flying Trapeze
This act involves a performer, or "flyer," who grabs the trapeze bar and jumps off a high platform, or pedestal board, so gravity creates a swing. The performer will then often release the bar and is caught by another performer, the "catcher," who hangs by his knees on another trapeze or cradle, which can be either stationary or also swinging.
German Wheel
This act takes place within a giant wheel controlled solely by the performer's ability to physically manipulate and command the imposing structure. This is a test of physical strength and dexterity combined with exquisite showmanship to create a very industrial-cirque performance.
Photo Credit: NBC Universal
