Local professional ice skater Mary Siegel is coming home to hit the ice at Heritage Bank Center during Cirque Du Soleil’s Cincinnati run of CRYSTAL!
Mary has been skating since she was only seven years old and her experience and excellence both show as she performs. If you have seen CRYSTAL in Cincy, you may have already seen Mary in action as she has been with the production since its creation in 2017. She glides on the ice with so much grace and elegance that Mary makes impossible maneuvers look effortless, almost natural– the marks of a true expert in their craft.
Along with her Cirque accolades, Mary is also a USFS triple gold medalist and US junior national figure skating champion. A local gal true and true, she also performed in Cincinnati Ballet’s Nutcracker for one season! Mary is a trained Pilates instructor who has also worked with some beloved Bengals players (WHO DEY!).
We feel so lucky to have had the chance to ask Mary some questions about her life as a Cirque Du Soleil performer and about her local ties, too.
The Cirque Du Soleil CRYSTAL production has gone to so many unique cities… do you have a favorite destination stop? How about a dream location where you’d love to perform?
MS: My dream location would be Tokyo or just Japan in general. I have never been, but I have heard so many positive things about their hospitable culture. As for a favorite location, it is so hard to choose. I absolutely loved my time in New Zealand. From the helicopter ride to hike Franz Joseph Glacier to the giant 300-meter swing in Queenstown. But also our time in South America traveling through Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile was absolutely incredible! All in all, we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel the world while getting to share our passion with so many people around the world.
What does the life of a CRYSTAL performer look like during a show run? Can you give us a look into a day in the life of a Cirque performer???
MS: We will arrive on site early in the day for training and aerial validation (checking heights and equipment for flying); for me, this is my time to get a nice warm-up in and get a feel for the ice. My day is then filled with meetings, a workout in our portable gym, maybe a massage or a visit with our physical therapists. I also teach Pilates to the company a few times a week. We have incredible food provided by our kitchen team that tours with us. I will spend around an hour doing our intricate character makeup. And, around 45 minutes call to showtime, I will start my warm-up and final preparations to do whatever I need to get into character.
Being back in Cincinnati, do you have must-visit attractions and must-dine restaurants?
MS: I always make a point to cross the Roebling Bridge every time I am home. Whether that is running across with my running group, the Robeling Runners, or just a drive to hear it sing. This is my favorite bridge in the world even with all of the traveling I have done. Other than that, I try to hit whatever sporting event is currently happening. I’m a diehard Cincinnati sports fan as much as it hurts sometimes. As for dining, I just love checking out all of the new options our city has to offer. It always feels like there’s something new and fun to try every time I am home. Traditionally, My “Bearcat family” and I always stop through Skyline after UC football or basketball games. My favorite restaurant though, is probably Pepp and Delores — I cannot say no to fresh pasta.
Do you have a favorite skating move? Was there ever a move that particularly challenged you while learning the craft?
I don’t necessarily have a favorite skating move, I just enjoy the feeling of freedom I have while skating across the ice. The speed, power, and flow is addicting to me, as well as the artistry involved. Movement is my language and I feel that skating allows me to express myself in my most vulnerable way. It is my therapy and my chance to connect with and share my soul. As a performer, my goal is to have the audience members feeling what I am feeling.
What advice would you give to Cincinnati kids who are following their passion and dreaming big?
Keep going! If you are working towards a goal or something that you are truly passionate about, that means you care. Caring comes with deeply feeling the highs and lows that come with the journey. Enjoy the highs as much as you can, and remember that the lows are temporary. Meet yourself where you are, treat yourself with grace, and try to find a way to make it fun again. My other piece of advice would be to stay grounded and not let your passion become your full identity.
CRYSTAL is a wow-worthy Cirque production, with jaw-dropping acrobatics and skating. The production also has amazing music, serene snowy scenes, beautiful costumes, and an inspiring story. Do YOU have a favorite act/aspect of this show?
It is so hard to choose a favorite because everyone I share the stage with is absolutely brilliant and superhuman in their own way. But, my favorite act to watch is the hockey act. We have extreme skaters, who are jumping ramps in hockey skates doing insane flips and tricks while skating full speed. It’s an adrenaline rush just witnessing them.
There is still time to get your families tickets to see Mary Siegel in Cirque Du Soleil’s CRYSTAL! The production runs from January 9th through January 12th. Buy your tickets by clicking here.
Hidden Codeword: SoSweet
