Katherine O'Dwyer KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil Interview

KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendour and fragility, presented in a colourful mélange that emphasises bold slapstick humour.

'KOOZA is about human connection and the world of duality, good and bad," says the show's writer and director David Shiner. 'The tone is fun and funny, light and open. The show doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's very much about ideas, too. As it evolves, we are exploring concepts such as fear, identity, recognition and power."

The show starts with the Trickster bursting onto the scene like a jack-in-the-box in front of The Innocent, and that's just the first of many surprises to come. The Innocent's journey brings him into contact with a panoply of comic characters such as the King, the Trickster, the Heimloss, the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.

Between strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, KOOZA explores themes of identity, recognition and power. The show is set in an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprises, thrills, chills, audacity and total involvement.

The name KOOZA is inspired by the Sanskrit word 'koza," which means 'box," 'chest" or 'treasure," and was chosen because one of the underlying concepts of the production is the idea of a 'circus in a box."

KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil

Sydney – Now playing until November 13 2016, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Brisbane - From November 24 2016, Skygate Brisbane Airport (near DFO)
Melbourne - From January 20 2017, Flemington Racecourse
Perth - From April 13 2017, Belmont Park Racecourse, Victoria Park Drive (off Farmer Freeway), Burswood
Tickets at www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza

Interview with Katherine O'Dwyer, Production Coordinator Purchasing

Katherine joined KOOZA, Cirque du Soleil in October, 2010 as Tour Accountant. She became Production Coordinator Purchasing in 2012 and has travelled through Japan, Europe, Canada, USA and South America.

Before joining Cirque du Soleil, Katherine worked all facets of the Australian Music & Entertainment Industry from small club events through to large outdoor festivals for 9 years. Over those 9 years, she worked with Entertainment companies such as Soundwave as Office, Event Manager / Tour Coordinator, Michael Chuga Entertainment as Melbourne Office Manager / Accounting and Tour administration, Destroy All Lines as Marketing and Promotion Manager/ Office Manager and Premiere Artists.

Katherine enjoys going to concerts, scuba diving, exploring cities and wine.


Question: How would you describe KOOZA?

Katherine O'Dwyer: KOOZA is Cirque du Soleil's show which combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowns.


Question: What have you enjoyed about this particular Cirque du Soleil show?

Katherine O'Dwyer: When I see the show it's captivating from start to finish; I've been with the show six years and I still gasp, laugh and clap like crazy whenever I see it.


Question: What is involved in your role as KOOZA's Production Coordinator Purchasing?

Katherine O'Dwyer: As a Production Coordinator Purchasing I work with the site team in every department to organise everything they might need for the show to operate or to build a structure. And, when we have our transfers I organise all the logistics for forklifts, diesel that runs the show and office units that we work out of every day. It's a lot of planning ahead to make sure we can run and operate smoothly in a happy environment.


Question: So there is no such thing as a typical day with KOOZA, for you?
Katherine O'Dwyer: Pretty much (laughs) it is always changing – I do everything from understanding how a forklift works to how generators work to ensure everything is operating with the team and the specialists that we have here. I also have to make sure everything is delivered, on time including staying on top of a long list of orders.


Question: How many Cirque du Soleil shows have you toured with?

Katherine O'Dwyer: I've only ever toured with KOOZA and I've toured with this show for six years.


Question: What inspired you to apply for a job with Cirque du Soleil?

Katherine O'Dwyer: Basically before Cirque du Soleil I worked in the entertainment industry and I wanted to find a way to explore the world within the entertainment side of things; with the background that I had, I dreamed big and applied online for Cirque du Soleil and here I am!


Question: Where has your role with Cirque du Soleil taken you?

Katherine O'Dwyer: I have been to Japan, all over Europe, all over South America and to Australia; I think all up Cirque du Soleil has taken me to 48 countries. It's been quite busy as I've had to do my job in many different languages; I know how to say the word forklift in seven different languages.


Question: What's the best part of your role with Cirque du Soleil?

Katherine O'Dwyer: The best part of my job is the people that I work with as they're so inspiring, on a daily basis, so you never get bored. Plus, I face challenges, every day, with things that are outside of my comfort zone which includes researching how to figure out things that change daily to create solutions whether that's how to fix something in such little time and then finding parts in a German market or Russian market – I have to make sure the show doesn't stop. It can be quiet difficult, it has it's days.

Question: What's next, for you?

Katherine O'Dwyer: For me, the plan is to stay with KOOZA and we're heading to Asia which will be challenging in itself because we are taking the show, independently, without a promoter. I'll learn a few more ways to say the word forklift!


Interview by Brooke Hunter