For more than a decade, Walt Disney World ® has been entertaining audiences with one of the most visually stunning acrobatic shows in Central Florida. And on Dec. 23 Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba in Downtown Disney ® will celebrate its 14th anniversary the same way it did when it opened - with incredible gymnastics, unbelievable feats of strength and routines you have to see to believe. But we can’t celebrate the show’s milestone without paying tribute to the performers who make it so entertaining.

La Nouba gets its name from the French phrase “faire la nouba,” which means to party or to live it up. It is a world where dreams and reality collide as the urban (urbanites) and circus (Cirques) worlds meet on stage. And in doing so, the audience watches as dazzling choreography, whimsical characters and unbelievable acrobatics take over the stage for one imaginative show that’ll have you saying, how do they do that?”

The production’s talented performers come from 14 different countries spanning five continents, including performers from as far away as Russia, China and Australia. Each of the performers has spent the majority of their lives perfecting their gymnastics and/or acrobatic talents in order to be a part of the show. But even after being chosen from a successful audition the performers still have a long road ahead to prove they have what it takes to be a part of La Nouba. The performers receive a three-month training contract, which takes them to Cirque du Soleil's headquarters in Montreal for a more thorough evaluation of their skills. After the three-month training period, the company's directors make the decision to keep them or not.

But that’s just the start of their hard work. In order to maintain their strength, La Nouba performers spend the majority of each day training and practicing their skills and routines. They are responsible for their own training regimen, which can include lots of strength training or practicing routines over and over again.

When they aren’t performing or training, La Nouba’s performers usually spend their time in the “Green Room,” which is filled with books, board games, TV’s, phones and computers. The room also reminds the performers of their incredible impact on their audiences with walls covered in with photos, letters and drawings from fans across the globe, al praising them for their acts.

For a chance to celebrate La Nouba’s 14th anniversary in Downtown Disney ® and to marvel at the extraordinary acts of these talented performers look for discounted La Nouba tickets right here on Best of Orlando.

Orlando, FL – 12/21/12