Cirque du Soleil returns to the Lone Star state to mesmerize audiences with its 20th Big Top Show ECHO, a breathtaking, over-the-top experience.

From now until March 23, ECHO, Cirque du Soleil’s latest daredevil endeavor, brings the company’s signature blend of acrobatics, storytelling, and theatrical artistry to Houston.

While the stunning performances will keep you at the edge of your seat, no one’s closer to the talent than Charlie Burrows, Cirque du Soleil’s Manager of Scouting and Head of Casting for the Resident Show Division. A former world-class power tumbler turned Cirque performer, Burrows now leads the charge in discovering elite talent from around the world, shaping the future of Cirque’s productions. In an exclusive interview with Texas Lifestyle Magazine, Charlie discusses ECHO’s otherworldly theatrics, his tumbling past, and what his journey to make dreams a reality for athletes around the world.

Can you tell us about the upcoming show ECHO? What inspired it, and what can fans expect?

Certainly! ECHO is one of Cirque du Soleil’s newest productions, blending breathtaking acrobatics, cutting-edge technology, and a powerful narrative to create a visually stunning experience. The show explores themes of connection, evolution, and the balance between humans and nature, following a young protagonist named Future on a journey of discovery.

Inspired by the relationship between humanity and its environment, ECHO brings Cirque’s signature artistry to life with a mix of high-energy performances, striking visuals, and immersive storytelling. Fans can expect a fresh take on circus arts with innovative staging, incredible athleticism, and an emotionally resonant story that highlights the importance of unity and imagination. 

You have two significant roles within the world-famous Cirque du Soleil. Can you tell us about these roles? 

Absolutely! Cirque du Soleil is all about pushing the boundaries of live entertainment, and my role is to ensure we continue discovering and casting the world’s best performers to bring that magic to life.

I wear two hats within the company. First, I lead the scouting team which is responsible for finding extraordinary talent across multiple disciplines — Circus Performers, Athletes, Dancers, Musicians & Singers, and Actors/Clowns. Each of these disciplines has its own unique culture and requires a tailored approach to scouting. My job is to work with our specialist scouts, who are deeply embedded in their respective industries, ensuring they have the tools, networks, and strategies needed to uncover new, unseen talent from around the world. We do this through live auditions, video evaluations, scouting missions to major festivals, competitions, and industry events, as well as strategic partnerships. Our goal is not just to find talent, but to nurture relationships with the global performing arts and sports communities, keeping Cirque at the forefront of innovation and creativity.

The second part of my role is managing casting for Cirque du Soleil’s Resident Show Division, which includes our spectacular productions in Las Vegas, Orlando, Mexico, and Hawaii. Each show has its own unique artistic vision and performance demands, and my job is to ensure we’re continuously bringing in top-tier talent that aligns with these creative needs. Whether it’s sourcing high-level acrobats, world-class dancers, or captivating character performers, we’re always looking for artists who can inspire audiences and bring that signature Cirque du Soleil magic to the stage.

At its core, my role is about shaping the future of Cirque du Soleil’s talent, ensuring that our shows remain groundbreaking, breathtaking, and filled with the most incredible performers from across the globe.

You’re a world-class athlete yourself. Please tell us about your experience and what prepared you for these roles.

Yes, my background as an elite gymnast has played a huge role in shaping my career and preparing me for what I do today. Before stepping into the world of performing arts, I was a member of the Great Britain Tumbling Gymnastics Team, competing in over 20 World Cup and World Championship events. I had the honor of becoming European Team Champion in 2006 and reaching the World Championship Finals in 2007 in Trampoline and Tumbling. That experience at the highest level of competition gave me the technical background in order to start a career with Cirque du Soleil and is something that I now look for in the talent I scout.

I joined Cirque du Soleil as a performer, first in special events and later in La Nouba at Walt Disney World Resort, where I performed in the Powertrack and Trampoline act. That transition from athlete to artist is an important one as you learn to not only perform very technical skills, but also bring a level of artistry to your performance.

Discovering and attracting amazing world-class talent to shape Cirque’s talent pipeline must be a fun yet challenging experience. Can you tell us about what it’s like to scout and where this role has taken you to find this amazing, diverse talent?

Scouting for Cirque du Soleil is an incredible experience. It’s more than just finding talent; it’s about helping make people’s dreams a reality. This role has taken me all over the world in search of the best talent from the biggest festivals and competitions in Europe to the circus communities in Australia and Brazil, and even in gymnastics centers in Russia. No matter where I go, I’m always amazed by the diversity of talent and the unique talents different cultures bring.

At Cirque du Soleil, we are committed to building casts that are as diverse as the global audiences we perform for. We actively seek out artists from every corner of the world, ensuring that our productions remain fresh, innovative, and reflective of the rich cultural influences that make Cirque so special.

One of my favorite things about being a scout is watching artists grow over the years. Seeing someone go from an emerging talent to a featured performer on our stage is very special and knowing I played a small role in their journey is incredibly fulfilling. It’s not just about finding the best, it’s about nurturing talent, creating opportunities, and continuing Cirque du Soleil’s legacy of world-class entertainment.

What’s been one of your proudest moments working with Cirque?

One of my proudest moments in casting for Cirque du Soleil was when we were able to hire our first Olympic Champion in Trampoline for our show MJ ONE. It was a huge milestone — not just because we brought in one of the best athletes in the world, but because it was a powerful way to showcase the opportunities Cirque offers to elite athletes beyond their competitive careers.

What can you advise for anyone wanting to join the Cirque ranks? 

Go for it! We are always looking for incredible talent, and there are so many opportunities for athletes, circus performers, dancers, musicians, singers, and clowns to become part of our world.

I mentioned earlier that we’ve hired an Olympic Champion, but you don’t have to be an Olympian to join Cirque du Soleil. We’re looking for passion, dedication, and that special spark that makes a performer stand out.

The best way to get started is to visit our official casting website. Here, you can create a profile, upload your demo videos, and be evaluated by our team of specialist scouts. We are constantly reviewing submissions, and who knows — if you take that step, you could be standing on one of our stages in the near future!

Be sure to catch ECHO now showing in Houston, Feb. 6 to March 23, 2025.

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Cover photo Jean-François Savaria

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.