Synopses & Reviews
Creativity and innovation are widely recognized as essential to success in business and so many aspects of our lives. For over two decades, Cirque du Soleil has been a world-renowned laboratory of creativity, enthralling audiences by fusing dazzling acrobatics, staging, choreography, and music, along with beautiful costumes and technical effects, to inspire and create magical, almost otherworldly theatrical experiences. In
The Spark, Cirques former President of Creative Content, Lyn Heward, invites readers inside the world and ideas of Cirque du Soleil through the story of an ordinary man searching for meaning in his work and life.
Like so many other people in their careers, sports agent Frank Castle has lost the passion he once had for his job. But a chance encounter with an inspiring Cirque du Soleil director takes him inside Cirque du Soleil to meet the artists, managers, designers, and technicians who create, shape, and perform in their acclaimed shows. As the story unfolds, the artists reveal surprising secrets about the sparks that ignite their creativity-from the pressure of deadlines and the exhilaration that comes from risking it all, to the chance encounters and everyday occurrences that have changed the way they live and work. As Frank comes to discover, every one of us is creative-wherever we work or whatever our job title is-but its up to us to tap into that powerful force.
As The Spark makes clear, there is no single formula for creative success-each of us must unlock the power of our imagination in our own way. An inspiring tale that draws on behind-the-scenes stories from the most creative people in entertainment as well as some out-of-this-world Cirque du Soleil magic, The Spark is an unparalleled guide on how to make creativity a part of everything you do.
Synopsis
Cirque du Soleil has entranced audiences around the world, merging astonishing acrobatics, beautiful choreography, moving music, and extraordinary technical effects to create a magical, almost otherworldly experience. In
The Spark Cirque’s former president of creative content, Lyn Heward, invites readers into the world of Cirque du Soleil to discover for themselves the power of creativity to enhance and transform their careers and their lives.
The protagonist of this charming tale, Ben Jacobs, a thirty-something professional who works in sports marketing, begins the book wondering how to rediscover the passion he once had for his job. Thanks to a chance encounter with an inspiring Cirque du Soleil director, Ben embarks on a life-changing journey into the world of the imagination. Along the way, he meets fictionalized versions of the very real people who make Cirque du Soleil one of the world’s most creative forces: acrobats, aerialists, clowns, musicians, technicians, artisans, coaches, designers, and directors who reveal what it is that ignites their creativity. Among their secrets:
• That every one of us is creative, no matter what our role or job title
• How deadlines, challenges, and collaboration fuel our creativity
• How we achieve a balance between risk-taking and playing it safe
• How we maintain our creative vision while still making sound business decisions
• How we find the creative “sparks” in everyday occurrences: chance meetings, outside stimuli, even within our dreams
• How we nurture creativity in others, in the workplace and at home
• Peeling back the layers: how we get to know ourselves and discover our full potential
About the Author
Lyn Heward is the former president and COO of Cirque du Soleils Creative Content Division and is currently acting as executive producer for a variety of projects.