Nelson Smyles, Cirque du Soleil performer, is experiencing the "pinch me" phase of his burgeoning career. Constantly soaring through the air and dazzling audiences, Smyles is currently starring as the storytelling clown and hoop diver in the renowned touring show LUZIA. This vibrant performance embodies Mexican culture and provides the audience with stunning acrobatics and rich storytelling.
Hailing from Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Smyles' fascination with the circus began during his childhood years, where he aspired to be part of such captivating performances. His acrobatics career took off after he began training in gymnastics at just four years old, transitioning to springboard and platform dives at age ten. After finishing high school, he moved to Melbourne to attend the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), where he specialized in hoop-diving, clowning, and group acrobatics. It was there he discovered his passion for parkour, committing countless hours to perfecting the art of jumping and tumbling through the urban landscapes.
Towards the end of his studies, Smyles took the leap by sending over his demo video to Cirque du Soleil, leading to him signing with their LUZIA show, just eleven weeks before he was set to graduate. "It's so much fun," noted Smyles about his touring life. "The hoop-diving crew is as thick as thieves, and we inspire each other to do well. And being the clown, that's truly a dream come true. I think I've done 700 shows as the clown now; he is the storyteller in LUZIA and is on stage by himself for 45 minutes each show.”
LUZIA showcases breathtaking acts and visual splendor, featuring stunning aerialists, jugglers tossing seven pins at breakneck speed, and hoop divers performing on gigantic treadmills to heighten the excitement. A notable Cirque du Soleil first, the show integrates rain to complement the artistry and acrobatics, challenging performers like rolling Cyr wheel artists and aerialists suspended high above to engage with the elements. This summer, Australian audiences witnessed LUZIA breaking ticket sale records, with over 120,000 seats filled during its Brisbane performance and now under the Big Top at Sydney's Entertainment Quarter.
The final performance for Sydney is on February 9, after which the show will head to New York to continue its international acclaim. Since 1984, Cirque du Soleil has captivated over 400 million spectators across the world with its blend of dreams and reality, now employing over 4,000 individuals, including 1,200 artists from 80 different nations.
For Smyles, rigorous training and injury prevention are synonymous with his profession. He shared, "Parkour and free-running training taught me how not to injure myself... I am very good at falling without hurting myself." This level of dedication is not to suggest the work is easy, as he added, "It can take a long time to master a skill.”.
Smyles credits much of his artistic ability and resilience to his parents. His mother, Leanne Prussing, is a talented painter, and his father, Myles West, is a former world-champion ballroom dancer. This artistic background has significantly influenced Smyles throughout his career. "They're both artistically inclined. My dad has danced around the world, even at the Royal Albert Hall. They've had my back the whole way through,” he expressed.
When home in Australia, Smyles resides in Newcastle. It serves as central ground to connect with his family; his father resides locally, and it’s conveniently close to his mother, who still lives in Port Macquarie. Family plays an indispensable role amid the hectic lifestyle of touring artists. He acknowledges the cast of LUZIA as family too. "They are absolute rocks for me, especially during homesickness when we’re overseas. It creates such a solid community to be part of," he said, showcasing the bonds built among those within Cirque du Soleil.
With his incredible talent, supportive community, and unique exposure to international performances, Nelson Smyles embodies the essence of Cirque du Soleil's magic, thrilling audiences across the globe and solidifying his place as one of its standout performers.