This week, it seemed that freakishly large men and overly made-up women invaded State College. In fact, on Monday, a group of these men and women entered the Collegian office in search of the Venues editor.

In actuality, these strange-looking people are none other than the members of Cirque du Soleil who have come to town prepared and promoting their new show, Saltimbanco.

The show, which started last night, will be playing at the Bryce Jordan Center through Sunday. Saltimbanco is a theatrical production that, in a sense, tells the story of life. Brooke Webb, artistic coordinator for Cirque du Soleil, said they don't like to tell the audience what the story line is; it is for everyone's personal interpretation.

"We leave the story line up to the audience. But the show starts at birth and shows the evolution of people from playful children to wild partying adolescents," Webb said. "Then, they evolve to wisdom and complete enlightenment. The show ends with angels in heaven so it shows the whole cycle."

The street performers spotted in downtown State College this weekend are members of Theatre Mama, an agency that works on the promotion of shows. These performers are sent out into towns and cities in which the show is playing to arouse awareness of the presence of Cirque du Soleil.

"There is a clear division between [the bus characters] and the performers in the show," said Bethany Daley, Theatre Mama tour manager. "We are sent out a week early to play with everyone. We're here to wake up the town and come in your face. So this way, by the time the performers arrive, we've gotten everyone excited. It's so much fun, especially for the kids."
Webb said Cirque du Soleil was originally community street performers' group.

"[Cirque du Soleil] grew from that aspect of street performing," she said. "The formation of the group in 1984 was the same group of original street performers. The name came from one of the founders who was lying on a beach in Hawaii and was inspired by the sun."

The show features 47 performers and the cast comprises 62 members including musicians. These artists come from 21 different countries all around the world and were champions of their talent.

"I see them as 62 people who are the best in the world at what they do," Webb said. "They are world champions of their craft, full of energy and passion."

Webb also said Cirque du Soleil sends agents out around the world in search of these talented artists. She added that Cirque has become such a phenomenon because they constantly push boundaries and utilize poetry in their performance.

"By pushing boundaries we are able to develop people that are the best at what they do," she said. "Also, [Cirque du Soleil] has amazing soul combined with poetry and that really makes something. Poetry can transcend every language."

Webb said each performer has a lot of energy and when she directs them onstage, she is still amazed.

"These performers are the most talented people I've ever come across and I am so fortunate," she said. "They inspire me because of how much they love what they do. I have developed a maternal instinct for all of them, but I know they are very safe and know what they are doing. And they make it look damn easy."