Cirque du Soleil's 'Kooza' dress rehearsal

The Cirque du Soleil had a colorful and inspiring dress rehearsal for their show "Kooza" in Atlanta.

Cirque du Soleil's artists had a dress rehearsal for their show "Kooza" before it opens Jan. 2 at Atlantic Station in Atlanta. This particular stunt was inspired by the Inuit game of "Blanket Toss."

This is Cirque du Soleil's 10th time in Atlanta. The name "Kooza" is Sanksrit for "treasure chest," organizers say.

Cirque du Soleil first astonished Atlantans in 1991 with "Nouvelle Experience." Cirque soon expanded its empire, setting down permanent shows in Disney World and Las Vegas, with five shows ultimately playing simultaneously in Vegas. Here, trapeze artist Darya Vintilova practices her craft.

The troupe formed in Quebec in the mid 1980s and quickly became the most popular example of Europe's Cirque Nouveau movement.

Contortionist Julie Bergez performs wirh her partner, Natasha Patterson, in the background.

Performers enter the stage for the "Wheel of Death" act.

Yao Deng Bo flies through the air during the Chinese Chairs act.

The cast is touting "Kooza" as a back-to-basics show but keep in mind that the basics for Cirque du Soleil means an over-the-top mix of acrobatics, clowning, music and mysticism.

Anthony Gatto juggles balls and rings faster than anyone can see.

Diana Aleshchenko, left, and Yuri Shavro on the duo unicycle.

Be prepared to have your breath taken away.

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Cirque du Soleil's artists had a dress rehearsal for their show "Kooza" before it opens Jan. 2 at Atlantic Station in Atlanta. This particular stunt was inspired by the Inuit game of "Blanket Toss."

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