Winter Garden resident captivates in Cirque du Soleil's ‘Drawn to Life’

Winter Garden resident Emily Carragher’s obsession with Cirque du Soleil started when she was only a child attending youth circus camp. It became her dream to be an original character for Cirque when she was just 13 years old.

Now, Carragher’s dream has come true, as she has helped to create Miss Hesitation, the villain character in the “Drawn to Life” show presented by Cirque du Soleil and Walt Disney World.

The show, which opened Nov. 18, 2021, celebrated its third anniversary last month. 

“Drawn to Life” is a contemporary circus performance featuring acrobats, gymnasts and other skilled performers. It’s a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering and is inspired by Disney’s animated film productions and the process of animation.

“It’s pretty magical to think that a little girl who grew up in a small country town in New York could literally live the dream that she wanted since she was 13,” Carragher said. “When I first saw Cirque, I didn’t even really know what it was that I was watching, but I just knew I wanted to be a part of it, and I didn’t stop until I was. It’s really cool to look back and say to my 13-year-old self that every single thing was worth it, because I did it in the end. I made it. It’s not always easy or a fun ride, but the hard work you put in does come back and becomes the foundation for you to be able to follow your dreams.”

PUTTING PEN TO PAPER
Carragher is originally from New Paltz, New York. She earned a bachelor’s degree in screenwriting from The State University of New York at Purchase and worked as a script supervisor for films, videos and television shows. 

While in college, she also attended clown workshops and went to clown school. Only a month after graduating college, she took to the road with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. She also worked for Fossett’s Circus, “Varekai” by Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple Circus.

Carragher learned about “Drawn to Life” when she still was working on “Varekai.” She said the challenge of blending Cirque with Disney is what attracted her to the show. Her partner also works on the show. 

“To get the opportunity to have both of those worlds come together and make something special that’s never happened before, I just couldn’t say no,” she said. “When I found out I was playing the bad guy, it only made the show more enticing.”

“Drawn to Life” is performed in a custom-built, freestanding theater originally constructed for its predecessor “La Nouba,” which closed in 2017 after 19 years.

In March 2017, Cirque and Disney announced “La Nouba” would host its final performance Dec. 31, 2017. On Dec. 18, 2017, Disney announced Cirque would produce a new show to replace “La Nouba” that would “draw its inspiration from Disney’s heritage of animation.” 

Only three days before the first scheduled performances, Cirque announced March 17, 2020, that the opening of the show would be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cirque had to lay off 95% of its staff worldwide. 

In July 2020, with no new opening date announced, tickets were made available for purchase on the Cirque website for performances beginning Nov. 5, 2020. In August 2020, performances through Feb. 10, 2021, were removed from sale, and ticket-holders were refunded. On Aug. 17, 2021, Disney announced tickets would go on sale for performances beginning Nov. 18, 2021. Finally, the show had its first public performance Nov. 18, 2021, as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Written and directed by Michel Laprise, with Fabrice Becker as director of creation, the show is a result of years of research and extraordinary collaboration that included extensive visits to Disney theme parks, Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios and The Walt Disney Family Museum, as well as hands-on work between Disney animators and Cirque. 

“Drawn to Life” follows the story of Julie, a courageous and determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her late father: an unfinished animation piece. Guided by a surprising pencil, she embarks on an inspiring quest sprinkled with her Disney childhood memories. Through this journey, she learns to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future.

The show plays twice a day, five days a week at Disney Springs. 

Carragher said the “Drawn to Life” story is special, because she feels people don’t expect it to be so emotional and impactful.

“I don’t think people really anticipate seeing that when they go to see a Cirque show, but the Disney element really makes it special,” she said. “There’s a really clear narrative of the story we tell. I think people are shocked that they’re crying at the end of a Cirque show, but it happens every night. I think there’s moments in the show that touch people so much that they can’t help but to react.”

‘THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT’
As a member of the show from the very beginning, Carragher helped to create and originate her own character. 

“I was responsible for taking the idea from the writer/director and making it real and tangible,” she said. “The director has input in a way where he is steering and directing you, but at the same time it’s up to the artist to make it real and to flesh it out. We want to create characters that others see themselves in. Everyone has a villain. Everyone gets frustrated, feels fear and gets angry. My character is the personification of doubt for anyone. Everyone knows that feeling and has that critical voice in their head. I’m just that voice personified.”

In “Drawn to Life,” both Miss Hesitation and Julie have a story arc and grow up together throughout the performance. 

“For any performer, it just changes everything about how you see yourself when you play the villain,” Carragher said. “It changes the way you look at other villains. You watch how a lot of them really are the hero, but they’re just misunderstood, or they’re the hero with a mask on. I’m lucky, because my villain character gets redemption at the end of the story, and not all villains have that opportunity. I get to come full circle with the character. It’s awesome.”

Carragher tries to always wave at one child every show, as she knows how much that small gesture changed her life. She said the storytelling is what has kept her with the industry throughout the years.

“There’s nothing like it,” she said. “There’s no other such a grandiose scale of the meeting of circus and theatrical arts put together. This is a special opportunity for me, because it’s also Disney. It’s even more of a responsibility to tell a good story.”

One of Carragher’s favorite parts about performing is watching the audience and their reactions.

“We do the same show every night, but the audience is always different,” she said. “The audience is what makes the show special, because it’s a dialogue between us on stage and them. They’re understanding and telling us how they’re responding to the story and how they’re emotionally involved in the story.”

Carragher said the show has taught her to be patient. 

“There’s a lot to be said about letting something happen rather than pushing something to happen,” she said. “Letting it grow organically and become what it is. What I’ve taken away from that as a person has changed me, and what I’ve taken away from that as an artist has made me a better performer.” 

Carragher said the continuous growth and learning is what has kept her with the show throughout the years.

“We’re still working, we’re still discovering, we’re still playing,” she said. “The show grows organically — like it’s a living, breathing thing. The show’s health relies on how well the people on stage know the story and know what they’re doing to make it clear for the audience to come with them on the journey. I feel like every show is an opportunity to see, learn and feel something brand new.”

When not working, Carragher enjoys watching films, reading and writing, as well as spending time with her dogs. 

Carragher would like to stay with Cirque in the future, possibly in additional capacities. She said she would love to help other clowns succeed, learn to be funny and impact others’ lives.

SEE THE SHOW
For more information on “Drawn to Life” or to purchase tickets, click here.