Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem' comes to Atlanta

Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem' comes to Atlanta

Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem' comes to Atlanta

Artists rehearse for Cirque du Soleil's "Totem" under the blue and yellow big top tent at Atlantic Station in Atlanta Wednesday, Oct. 24th, 2012. The show features 52 artists from 17 countries speaking 11 different languages. Over 250 costumes have to be maintained by the back stage crew. It takes 65 tractor trailers to haul all gear involved in the show. The show in Atlanta begins Friday, Oct. 26.

Alexander Moiseev and other artists walk backstage after rehearsing for Cirque du Soleil's "Totem." It’s the Canadian circus’ 28th show since its 1984 founding and the 13th to visit Atlanta since 1991.

Guilhem Cauchois stretches before rehearsing.

Backstage scene at Cirque du Soleil's "Totem."

Umi Mia practices his moves on a turtle skeleton-shaped carapace.

Caoliang Wang flies above a turtle skeleton-shaped carapace as he and other artists rehearse. Opening on a stage in the shape of a giant turtle, a symbol of origin in some ancient civilizations, the flashy, acrobatics-sparked circus depicts humanity’s journey from its amphibian state all the way to man’s attempts to take wing.

Primate masks custom fitted for each performer await use backstage.

More than 250 costumes have to be maintained for the 52 artists to use while performing in Cirque du Soleil's "Totem."

More than 250 costumes have to be maintained for the 52 artists to use while performing in Cirque du Soleil's "Totem."

Shoe and hat specialist Genevieve Caron helps maintain the 250 costumes for the 52 artists in Cirque du Soleil's "Totem."

Shoe and hat specialist Genevieve Caron helps maintain the 250 costumes for the 52 artists in Cirque du Soleil's "Totem."

Sarah Tessier and Guilhem Cauchois rehearse on the duo fixed trapeze.

Fabio Santos relaxes while watching other artists rehearse. The show features 52 artists from 17 countries speaking 11 different languages.

Alexander Moiseev rehearses with other artists.

Artists rehearse for Cirque du Soleil's "Totem." “When audience members leave, they’ve seen characters and experiences going beyond natural boundaries,” artistic director Tim Smith said. “They can take that to their everyday life and dream, dream past the ordinary minutes of the day.

Alieksei Liubezny bounds above his fellow artists as they rehearse for Cirque du Soleil's "Totem."

Alieksei Buiniakou (from left to right), Alieksei Liubezny and Anatoli Baravikou rehearse for Cirque du Soleil's "Totem." hroughout thetwo-act, 150-minute production (counting a roughly half-hour intermission).

John Mytyk holds a flashlight in his mouth as he fixes a video connection while artists rehearse for Cirque du Soleil's "Totem." The title “Totem” is symbolic, connoting the order of the species, how humanity rose from the primordial swamp all the way to the lofty heights of the thunderbird that tops many of the hand-carved poles.

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Artists rehearse for Cirque du Soleil's "Totem" under the blue and yellow big top tent at Atlantic Station in Atlanta Wednesday, Oct. 24th, 2012. The show features 52 artists from 17 countries speaking 11 different languages. Over 250 costumes have to be maintained by the back stage crew. It takes 65 tractor trailers to haul all gear involved in the show. The show in Atlanta begins Friday, Oct. 26.

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