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PRO Exclusive 360 Degrees: Circus Through a Holistic Lens with Stacy Clark–Casting from All Sides

With our video interview series called 360 Degrees: Circus Through a Holistic Lens with Stacy Clark, we share professional development tools around the concepts of coaching, casting and career with our PRO Subscribers. Stacy Clark is the host of this exciting new video interview series which will provide a deep dive into the world of elite athletes and performers while tying in the practical tools she provides with her holistic approach to coaching. Stacy has years of experience in the industry working with artists and industry leaders from around the world and her work has been instrumental in shaping the contemporary circus landscape.

In episode 8, I chat Casting with Sarah Davison, creative manager at Action Horizons. Sarah and I discuss early talent development, the importance of offering candidates feedback, staying open and curious as an artist and as a human, and the value of transferable skills in the ever-evolving world of on-stage entertainment.

Sarah started her formal dance training with her mother in Toulouse, France. After multiple prizes on the National scene, she obtained her degree in Dance and Choreography from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Lyon at the age of 16.Sarah then started her professional career performing with several neo-classical and Jazz companies in France before she came to North America as an original cast member of Céline Dion’sA New Day. She continued to refine and broaden her experience in live theater inLe RêveandViva ELVIS.Sarah is trained in Ballet, Neo-classical, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop and Ballroom. Her TV appearances include “Dancing with the Stars”, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, “The Jerry Lewis Telethon” and the “American Music Awards”. Besides her busy career on stage, she has been a producer and project manager of many events in the Las Vegas area, and taught classes and workshops all over Europe and the US.In 2012, Sarah transitioned off-stage to become a dance and physical acting Advisor and Talent Scout for Cirque du Soleil Casting in Las Vegas, and eventually became head of the department. As a part of the Casting team, she offered her expertise to enthusiastic athletes, artists and performers hoping to joinCirque du Soleil.

Today, Sarah is the creative manager for Action Horizons in Orlando, where she oversees the creative process including sourcing, scouting, auditioning, training, and maintaining show quality for their operations in Orlando.

Stacy Clark
CEO of CircusTalk, Casting Director, Career Coach -Canada
Stacy is a seasoned professional in the circus and performing arts industry. A former gymnast and circus artist, Stacy worked in marketing and communications before leaving it all behind to perform and teach circus worldwide on stage, at festivals, and on screen. Today she is a freelance casting director, career coach, and artistic advisor. In 2021, Stacy joined the small and dynamic team at the international online platform CircusTalk as CEO. Previously, Stacy was a talent scout and then the Director of Casting at Cirque du Soleil.

Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.

🎧 Join us on the StageLync Podcast for inspiring stories from the world of performing arts! Tune in to hear from the creative minds who bring magic to life, both onstage and behind the scenes. 🎙️ 👉 Listen now!

Stacy Clark

Stacy is a seasoned professional in the circus and performing arts industry. A former gymnast and circus artist, Stacy worked in marketing and communications before leaving it all behind to perform and teach circus worldwide on stage, at festivals, and on screen. Today she is a freelance casting director, career coach, and artistic advisor. In 2021, Stacy joined the small and dynamic team at the international online platform CircusTalk as CEO. Previously, Stacy was a talent scout and then the Director of Casting at Cirque du Soleil.