Rope-Skipping Through Life – Connor Kraska Talks 'Cirque Dreams Holidaze'

"In 'Cirque Dreams Holidaze',ballerinas, nutcrackers, snowmen, penguins, reindeer, ethereal aerialists, gingerbread people, carolers, and colossal ornaments all come to life, mystifying the audience with their flying, balance, juggling techniques, and stretch imaginations," wrote the website Broadway World when reviewing this perennial holiday entertainment. "Think a unique holiday-circus performance."

Produced by Cirque du Soleil, this entertainment combines Broadway-styled production values with dazzling European circus acts to create a unique holiday entertainment.

EDGE spoke with Connor Kraska, who is one of the "skippers" or jump-ropers in the show. He started doing jump-roping when he was nine years old after seeing the Disney movie "Jump In!y." He started competing professionally at the age of 10; when he was 11 he made the grand nationals (winners from every age group). When he was 13 he won the World Jump Rope Championships in Orlando. "I took home a Grand World Championship at age 13 in the 30-second speed event: 196 jumps," he told the Boston Globe last year. His personal record is 218 jumps in 30 seconds. "I can do 1,020 jumps in three minutes. But my second World Championship title in 2018 was for individual overall: two speed events, and single-rope freestyle, which is tricks: backflips, front flips, aerials."

In addition to a second world championship, Connor has placed in the grand national championships 15 times. And would likely have more if COVID hadn't interceded. He was seeking a professional jump-roping gig when he auditioned and was hired for Cirque Dreams. He describes the show in a recent television interview. as the perfect event for a family to come to. "There is something for everyone. Again, there's such a great variety of performances that the audience is going to get to see. From singing the classic Christmas songs to watching those aerialists fly through the air juggling. And there might even be some audience participation for the adventurous."

With some sixty cities scheduled on the tour in just six weeks, Connor will be packing and unpacking a lot. This weekend in Boston, where the show is settling in for three days (12/6 - 8) at the Shubert Theatre. For ticket info, follow this link.

EDGE: Can you give us more information about your background?

Connor Kraska: My name is Connor. I'm originally from the Dallas, Texas area, but I recently moved to Las Vegas to pursue circus arts. I got into professional performing about three years ago, but I've been a jump roper for about 15 years. I started when I was nine years old. I'm very grateful to be traveling with Cirque Dreams for this show.

EDGE: How did you decide that Cirque would be the place for you?

Connor Kraska: It's because of the Cirque's longstanding history of entertainment around the holidays. It's one of the premier shows. I love that I get to explore many different cities I've never been to. The production of the show is top-notch. We've had Broadway directors directing Broadway-style shows and acts. The dedication to making these shows amazing is mind-blowing. I couldn't imagine not being a part of the Cirque family.

EDGE: How would you describe the "Holidaze's" story? 
Connor Kraska: There's so much to say about it, but "Holidaze" is a whimsical holiday show infused with contemporary circus acts, crazy costumes, changing sets, and jaw-dropping acrobatics. And they are all set to holiday classics and new original holiday music. There's almost everything you can imagine in the show, even things you may not have imagined. There are singers, comedy acts, aerial acts, acrobatics, skippers, jugglers, and even some audience participation. It will be a great show for all families looking for a fun way to celebrate the holidays.
EDGE: Tell us about your role in the show.

Connor Kraska: I am an acrobatic skipper. I perform with a team of four. We do a mix of a single rope and what we call a Chinese wheel, and we incorporate some double Dutch, which is a familiar aspect for the audiences. It's a great time, and we look forward to sharing our act with the audience.

EDGE: Is there an act or part of the show you are most excited for audiences to experience?

Connor Kraska: I'm excited for the audience to see our acrobatic skipping act. Maybe I'm biased, but I think it's one of the best acts in the show. It's a spectacle to watch, but I'd say some of the others are amazing. There is a hair-hanging artist. If you've never seen hair hanging, that is definitely going to be something to look out for. We also have an act from Ethiopia called Icarian Games. If you don't know much about it, come see the show. It's something that not a lot of people get to see or experience.

EDGE: The cast consists of artists from around the world. Creating a community for you. What advice do you have for those in the LGBTQ+ community about creating the community that they need?

Connor Kraska: The most important thing is to surround yourself with people you care about and mutually care about. Creating a support system of care to help you through some of the troubles that might come along the way is key. During the holiday season, I surround myself with people I can rely on. So, make sure your community is filled with people with similar values and love and care for you because spending as much time with them as possible will be crucial.

EDGE: What are your favorite holiday traditions?

Connor Kraska: One of my favorite traditions now is performing in a Cirque show every holiday season. Outside of that, I do love spending time with my family. One of my favorite traditions with them is making fondue on Christmas Eve. Every year, we make a cheese and chocolate fondue with poundcakes, marshmallows, and other good dipping things.

EDGE: If you could star in the remake of a classic holiday movie, which character in what movie would it be, and why?

Connor Kraska: Great questions. If I could return to when I was little, I would be Kevin McCallister from 'Home Alone.' It would be a fun movie to remake and be a part of. I would love to be mischievous and fight off the bad guys in a movie.

EDGE: Where do you find the magic in the holidays?

Connor Kraska: I guess this goes back to being with family. The magic is all about who you surround yourself with and the traditions you create. It doesn't matter if they are small traditions; they just keep up that holiday spirit and cheer with love and support from friends and family. It's also the season of giving, so I love giving back to a community that has given me a lot. The circus community is a very queer-friendly space, so I find a lot of magic in being part of that. Again, surrounding yourself with loved ones will make your holidays magical and cheerful.

For upcoming dates on "Cirque Dreams Holidaze," follow this link.