The art of Contortion Performance by Anna Batchuluun • ABOUT

Ariuntuya Batchuluun was born in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia.

After seeing contortionists performing on the television she asked her father to take her to the circus where she met, the highly respected contortion performer and coach, Norovsambuu, who would become her teacher.

Ariuntuya began training the Art of Contortion at 7 years old and after intensive training began traveling the world as a performer for the Mongolian State Circus.

In 2003, Ariuntuya came to the USA to join the world-renowned performance group, Cirque Du Soleil, where she performed as part of a group contortion act in their prestigious Las Vegas production 'O' at the ‘Bellagio'.

Ariuntuya became the first Cirque Du Soleil Artist to work 2 shows simultaneously. For 7 months, from November 2004 to June 2005, she worked as a contortionist in both of Cirque Du Soleil's Las Vegas productions ‘O' and 'Zumanity'.

This was followed by a further 3 years performing a duo or solo contortion act in the 'Zumanity' ‘Water Bowl'.

During her exciting career, Ariuntuya has had 18 years of experience performing in excess of 3,500 shows in 9 countries around the world, across Asia, Europe and North America.

To date Ariuntuya has performed more than 2,000 shows for Cirque Du Soleil.

Currently she is enjoying the freedom and variety of performing as a freelance artist.

Profile:

A World Class Contortion Artist who has had a vast array of experience in many different types of venues. Her exceptional flexibility and extraordinary strength and abilities in the art of hand balancing make her unique in her field. Ariuntuya is able to work as a solo artist or as part of a group act. Ariuntuya has also worked in a coaching capacity, coaching others who now excel in their field.

Major Achievements:

• Performed for 3 1/2 years as part of the ‘Water Bowl Contortion' act in Cirque Du Soleil's Las Vegas production 'Zumanity'. The act is a duo or solo act.

• Being the first Cirque Du Soleil Artist to work 2 shows simultaneously. For 7 months, from November 2004 to June 2005, Ariuntuya worked as a contortionist in both of Cirque Du Soleil's Las Vegas productions ‘O' and 'Zumanity'.

• Performed for 1½ years as part of the ‘Contortion' act in Cirque Du Soleil's Las Vegas production 'O'. The act consists of 3,4 or 5 girls.

• Performed as part of a 6–girl contortion act in the Mongolian State Circus show entitled ‘Blue Sky' (‘Khokh Tenger') which was awarded 1 st prize at the 1999 Mongolian ‘Goo Maral Festival'.

• Was part of a 4-girl contortion act that was awarded a ‘Silver Lion' Trophy at China's 1997 ‘Wuqiao International Acrobatic Festival'.

• Featured as a contortionist in a 1996 Mongolian movie called ‘Empty House' (‘Ezengui Ail').

Experience:

Ariuntuya has performed in excess of 3,500 shows in 9 countries around the world, across Asia, Europe and North America.

To date Ariuntuya has performed more than 2,000 shows for Cirque Du Soleil.

• November 2004 to January 2008

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL – ‘Zumanity' Contortion Artist

Performing a duo or solo contortion act twice a night, five nights a week in Cirque Du Soleil's prestigious adult themed Las Vegas production 'Zumanity' at the New York, New York Hotel Casino.

Ariuntuya performed a 6-minute ‘Water Bowl' contortion act, with another girl or as a solo contortion act on occasion. The act is performed in a large glass bowl containing 450-500 gallons of water, with choreography and contortion tricks on the rim of the bowl as well as inside.

Ariuntuya also appeared on 6 other occasions throughout the ninety-minute performance. These ‘passages' were in her ‘Water Bowl' character costume, as well as appearing in 3 other character costumes.

• January 2005

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL – TV Special

Featured on the ‘Dennis Miller Live' show with the shows comedic correspondent Bob Oschack as part of the ‘Water Bowl' act filmed at Cirque Du Soleil's ‘Zumanity' production. Bob Oschack joined Ariuntuya and her partner Bolormaa in the ‘Water Bowl' for a 2-minute segment.

• June 2003 to June 2005

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL – ‘O' Contortion Artist

Performing as part of a group contortion act twice a night, five nights a week in Cirque Du Soleil's prestigious Las Vegas production 'O' at the ‘Bellagio'.

Ariuntuya performed in the group ‘Contortion' act, with up to 4 other girls. The 6-minute act is performed on platforms in the middle of a 1½ million gallon water stage and commences with the contortion performers being ‘flown' in on an aerial apparatus.

Ariuntuya also appeared on 6 other occasions throughout the ninety-minute performance. These ‘passages' were in her ‘Contortion' character costume, as well as appearing in 2 other character costumes.

• September 2002 to March 2003

MONGOLIAN STATE CIRCUS – Contortion/Hand Balancing Artist

Performed for 6 months as part of a 2–girl contortion act, a solo hand balancing act and assisting in the magic act at the Shaolin Temple, Miaoli County, Taiwan.

• March 2002 to June 2002