Photo credit: Jak Wonderly
No doubt you have probably seen the big white top tent off of Briley near Gaylord Opryland, attended the show or noticed one of the billboards all around Nashville advertising Cavalia’s Odysseo. Sadly, the incredible production is coming to the end of its run in Nashville as it continues only for a few more days through October 22nd, then heads out for a run in California.
Watch a fun timelapse video shot by a drone of Cavalia’s Odysseo as setting up their tent in Nashville by clicking here.
If you haven’t seen the show yet, here is a brief run down. The live show features 65 beautiful horses in a huge, picturesque theatre setting where they are free to perform and express themselves on stage. The horses, along with their 50 human international co-stars from 11 countries that includes riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, singers and musicians, create something truly special and memorable. Have I convinced you now, if you haven’t already seen a performance since they arrived in town the end of August? Good!
If you have had the opportunity to attend one of their performances, you’ve witnessed the incredible skill, athleticism, and artistry they demonstrate with each show. Afterwards, you’ve probably found yourself, like me, wondering what it is actually like to be a cast member of this magnificent touring production and what it takes to become part of Cavalia’s Odysseo.
They make it look so easy, effortless, and like a heck of a lot of fun when they are on stage. Behind the make-up, great hair and fancy, decorative costumes are highly-trained athletes who have spent almost their entire lives honing and perfecting their skills. What we see during their performance is just a small glimpse into their world. Behind it all are hours and hours of practice, warm-ups, flexibility & strength training, keeping themselves in peak physical condition, looking after their horses, etc. They can’t do it all alone and are supported in the production behind-the-scenes by producers, directors, assistants, stable assistants, costume designers, hair stylists, veterinarians, medical staff, and more. It truly is a small village coming together to put on a show almost every single night.
I recently met a couple of the stars of this spectacular production, Chelsea Jordan from Camas, Washington and Yoann Levesque from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Each graciously offered their time to talk with me about their experiences with Cavalia’s Odysseo and their backgrounds. Watch the video below to find out more about these extraordinarily-talented artists & athletes:
For those wondering, the animal stars of the production, the horses, are treated with the utmost respect and cared for with the highest standards in mind. These esquisite companions, who are equally stars along with their riders, enjoy daily grazing in fresh air in open fields. They are brushed and groomed daily. Given spacious stalls that are always in the same order so they are close to horses they are familiar with. The stables are clean and kept cool so the horses do not become too hot. If in a cold climate, they are kept warm. They are always thought of first.
During the 2 weeks off between the move from one city to the next as they prepare for a new run of shows in a different tour stop, the horses enjoy a vacation of their own. When they first came to Nashville, for instance, the horses stayed out on a beautiful farm in Franklin, TN, as they were allowed to graze, run, and play freely in the open, green pastures.
Very meticulous, thoughtful care for the horses is a top priority, and the riders each share a very special bond with the horses they are picked to work with for the production. Stable staff and the riders all share in the responsibilities of taking optimum care of the horses.
For more information & tickets, go to www.cavalia.com. Get your tickets fast before they sell out completely. They are only in town for a few more days through October 22nd and you don’t want to miss it!
ABOUT CAVALIA
Cavalia is an entertainment company that specializes in the creation, production and touring of innovative shows. Founded by Normand Latourelle and Dominique Day, our company reimagines the equestrian and theatrical arts. With our headquarters in Montreal, Cavalia is an integral part of Canada’s cultural heritage, and the largest Canadian-owned cultural enterprise.
Our expertise in high technology, multimedia and special effects creates magical, unique, never-before-seen experiences. Our first show, Cavalia, has been seen by more than 5 million people across North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Asia since its 2003 debut. Odysseo, our company’s second show, has toured to rave reviews and public acclaim since its 2011 premiere.
Our productions have made an indelible mark on the world of live entertainment with our one-of-a-kind homage to the age-old bond between human and horse. Our equine performers are the heart and soul of each Cavalia and Odysseo show. We are committed to nurturing them and prioritizing their comfort and well-being.
THE CAVALIA PHILOSOPHY
Cavalia’s approach is based on training methods designed to ensure that the horses enjoy training with us and performing on stage. Trainers pay close attention to the horses to make sure that every request is understood, and remain respectful of what the horses are ready to offer. Our philosophy is rooted in patience, trust and deep-seated respect. This genuine sense of caring and authenticity is inevitably what resonates with our audiences.
CREATING A DREAM VOYAGE
To bring this spectacular production to life, Artistic Director and Creator Normand Latourelle surrounded himself with some of the brightest creative minds from Quebec and around the world. They have pooled their respective talents together to produce the astonishing adventure that is Odysseo.
Read more at https://cavalia.com/odysseo/our-story/#x7D6siLpM5EDpJVu.99
Watch the trailer for more of the show by clicking here.
