Program Notes for Cirque Mechanics

Step right up to the dazzling world of Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride
Journey back to the 1980s and experience a high-flying homage to America’s iconic amusement parks. Bursting with acrobatics, aerial feats, juggling, and a dose of nostalgic charm, this theatrical circus adventure brings the sights, sounds, and spirit of the era to life. At the heart of the spectacle is a marvel of man-powered engineering: a giant Ferris Wheel, surrounded by incredible mechanical creations that reimagine classic rides and games of the time. The story follows a weary amusement park worker, worn down by the grind and long disconnected from the joy around him. When he confiscates a guest’s boom box, a playful chase erupts—an exhilarating whirlwind of stunts, surprises, and laughter. By the end, the pursuit transforms into a touching moment of connection, proving that even in the unlikeliest of places, shared joy can bring us together.

About the Company

Founded in 2004 by Chris Lashua, Las Vegas-based Cirque Mechanics masterfully blends American storytelling with inventive mechanical staging. Inspired by traditional circus and grounded in realism, their performances explore timeless themes of ingenuity through a captivating mix of acrobatics, mechanical artistry, and humor. Hailed by Spectacle Magazine as "the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil," Cirque Mechanics creates unforgettable experiences for audiences worldwide, including corporate and private clients through their Events and Under Canvas divisions. Their touring repertoire features acclaimed productions such as Birdhouse Factory, Boom Town, Pedal Punk, 42ft, the Drama Desk Award–nominated Zephyr, their inaugural holiday spectacular Yuletide Factory, and Winter Wonder Shoppe, created in partnership with the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Their sixth touring production, Tilt! promises an exhilarating circus thrill ride for all ages.

Cast

Scott Cooper
Acrobat | Cradle 

Scott began life on the tiny Nordic Island of Iceland. Many adventures later, he accidentally stumbled into the circus around 2010. At the time, he held three engineering degrees and a lucrative future in tech—but decided to toss it all aside for the glamorous life of a starving circus artist. Over the years, Scott slowly traded desks and suits for training halls and bruises. For two years, he studied and performed with AcroSanct under the legendary Chinese acrobat Lu-Yi, later joining AcroArmy under the guidance of sports acro champion Arthur Davis III. His specialties lean toward disciplines involving other “ridiculous humans,” including Russian Cradle, Russian Bar, Hand-to-Hand, Banquine, Perch, Duo Trapeze, and ensemble acrobatics. Stage credits include Awakening! at the Wynn, Cirque Dreams, Pippin: The Broadway Musical, The Emmy Awards, and A Magical Cirque Christmas. On the side, Scott is also the guy who’s been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty. Oh—and he’s forklift certified. #suckitjoel

Chase Culp
Main Character | Clown 

Chase Culp was born and raised in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, but his heart was set on adventure from the start. The grandson of a cowboy, he dreamed of joining the circus at just three years old, inspired by the films of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, as well as the clowns who passed through town with touring shows. As a teenager, Chase discovered Circus Smirkus, a traveling tented youth circus, where he spent three summers honing his craft. After graduating high school, he joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, touring for two years across the U.S. and Mexico. His career has since taken him to circus tents, theaters, theme parks, and festivals in more than ten countries, with credits including Slava’s Snowshow, Venardos Circus, Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium, and the Circus World Museum. Chase has also toured extensively with Cirque Mechanics productions, including Birdhouse Factory, Pedal Punk, and Yuletide Factory, and is thrilled to join the cast of Tilt! Offstage, Chase is a fan of all-you-can-eat sushi, is certified in Laughter Yoga, and—true to his love of showmanship—is also a licensed auctioneer.

Will Farlow
Acrobat | Teeterboard 

Will is one flipping cool guy—literally. He loves to swim, dive, and, of course, flip. An expert diver, he also enjoys coaching and bringing his fun, motivating energy to anyone eager to learn. Hailing from Myrtle Beach—the putt-putt capital of the world—Will grew up with a love for both water and thrills. That passion eventually carried him into the circus world, where he became part of the original cast of Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal. Audiences saw him soaring through crisp arena air, flying off poles, and pushing his acrobatic skills to the limit. Despite having vision in only one eye, Will is a true thrill-seeker. For him, the challenge makes every daring move even more exhilarating. Offstage, you’ll likely find him chasing rollercoasters with his buddies, slushy in hand, until the amusement park lights flicker out. Laid-back by nature but fueled by adventure, Will brings both chill vibes and jaw-dropping talent to the stage. Whether he’s coaching, flipping, or laughing with friends, he reminds us all to keep life in balance—ride the highs, embrace the thrills, and never forget that #mensmentalhealthisimportant.

Jeremy Kasper
Acrobat | Teeterboard 

Jeremy, a Chicago native, discovered circus at just nine years old when he began training at The Actors Gymnasium. What started as an after-school activity quickly grew into a passion, expanding from aerial arts to juggling and beyond. Over the years, his curiosity and dedication shaped him into a true generalist, equally at home in a wide variety of circus disciplines. At eighteen, Jeremy took his training abroad, enrolling at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London, England. Today, he continues to hone his craft while living in Montreal, Canada, a global hub for contemporary circus. Jeremy is no stranger to the world of amusement parks. His high-flying teeter board skills have taken him to stages across North America, including Cedar Point, SeaWorld, and Silver Dollar City. Performing in these unique environments deepened his appreciation for blending live entertainment with the thrill of rides and attractions. When he’s not performing, Jeremy seeks out rollercoasters of his own. His favorite is The Monster at Montreal’s La Ronde—a ride he jokingly describes as “like getting a chiropractic adjustment every time.” Jeremy is thrilled to be making his Cirque Mechanics debut in Tilt!

Aubrey Lawrence
Acrobat | Cradle

Growing up, Aubrey exhibited monkey tendencies early on and was steered toward dance and gymnastics as alternatives to kitchen counter parkour. She quickly fell in love with the athleticism of acrobatics and the artistry of dance, a fusion that eventually led her to aerial arts. Ironically, her first taste of circus was at the iconic amusement park Disney World, where she was captivated by Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba—a magic she deemed far beyond Mickey's. That experience fueled her dreams for years, and a decade later she went from adoring fan to first-time aerialist. Since then, Aubrey's been fortunate enough to tour the US, travel internationally, and appear on TV with Diavolo. She has also soared on Cirque de la Symphonie stages and vanquished evil as a “super spider” in a Marvel/Disney Jr. production. At home in Las Vegas, she brought an adagio act to A Lady Like Show and enjoys flying high on sway pole. She is totally stoked to join the cast of Tilt! performing cradle. After many childhood years living near Cedar Point and dreading the phrase “too short to ride,” Aubrey now relishes any chance to have a rollercoaster carry her away with that special brand of adrenaline.

Joel Malkoff
Acrobat | Wire Walking 

Having never followed a traditional path in education, running away with the circus felt like a natural progression in Joel’s life. Drawn to the combination of acrobatic movement, music, acting, and the camaraderie of a tight-knit ensemble working toward a common goal, the circus became a home for his many passions. Originally from Indiana and now living in Montreal, Quebec, Joel is a self-proclaimed “hobby economist” who loves political discussion, comedy sketches, traveling, and dreaming up new ideas that connect people. His curiosity and creativity extend well beyond the stage, making him as engaged in conversation as he is in performance. Having just finished working for the summer performing at Cedar Point his new favorite roller coaster is the infamous Steel Vengeance. Joel also grew up visiting Holiday World every summer and one of his fondest childhood memories is laughing with his cousins while drifting down the lazy river, a reminder of the joy and playfulness that still fuels his work today. Joel’s current side quests include releasing his first album, writing and producing his first full-length circus show, and even becoming forklift certified (#mensmentalhealth). He’s also taken on the noble mission of helping Celeste find a boyfriend—because in circus life, supporting your friends is part of the act.

Celeste Murman
Acrobat | Chinese Pole 

Celeste is ready to take you on the ride of a lifetime. A proud Cleveland, Ohio original (#goBrowns), she’s been climbing poles since the age of four. While some worried she might take her talents in another direction, circus proved the safest— and most thrilling—track. A true wild card of an acrobat, Celeste never fails to surprise. In 2023, she graduated from École de cirque de Québec, where she specialized in double Chinese pole, a discipline that instantly felt like home. She thrives on the adrenaline rush of leaping, flipping, and flying from one pole to the next. With a wide repertoire of skills, Celeste brings both versatility and edge, keeping audiences on their toes. For her, amusement parks capture the same sense of magic and wonder that circus delivers. She gets to live that thrill every day and loves sharing it with audiences, inviting them to buckle up for the ride. She has landed unimaginable flips and tricks and hopes to one day land her dream hunk. Though she has already landed flips, tricks, and the unimaginable, Celeste still dreams of landing her perfect partner. Until then, please keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the ride at all times—and enjoy the show.

Lexi Powell
Aerialist | Swing 

Lexi Powell is a contemporary circus artist, aerialist, and movement storyteller who believes art thrives in the space between strength and play. Specializing in aerial hoop, hula hoops, and fire performance, she blends technical precision with heartfelt expression to create work that is both powerful and delightfully human. A lifelong entertainer, Lexi explored everything from sports to music to art and dance before earning a degree in Kinesiology—only to joyfully run away with the circus. Since then, her career has taken her around the globe, from large-scale productions like Marvel Universe Live to projects with MTV and Missy Elliott, as well as cruise ships, festivals, amusement parks, and international stages. Beyond performance, Lexi is a passionate coach and multidisciplinary creative. She believes movement has the power to change lives and expresses herself through painting, music, and writing—always seeking new ways to explore human connection through creativity. Inspired by astrology, crystals, and other witchy practices, she infuses her work with intention and a touch of magic. At heart, Lexi is still a Disney kid, carrying the wonder and joy of childhood park days into every performance, hoping to spark light and connection with each audience she meets.

Ossy Sanchez
Acrobat | Juggler

Ossy is a fifth-generation circus performer from Mexico City, Mexico, now calling Las Vegas home. He’s been bouncing, tumbling, and juggling his way through life since age 11, with favorite acts including trampoline, gauchos, Russian swing—and of course, juggling! Inspired by his dad, Ossy dreams of becoming a master juggler one day … if he doesn’t get distracted by the popcorn and funnel cakes first. He’s performed around the world, from circus rings to theaters, including Rouge at the STRAT Hotel and Casino and Cirque Mechanics’ Zephyr: A Whirlwind of Circus. Ossy feels happiest when at the circus and is thrilled to return to Cirque Mechanics in Tilt! When it comes to amusement parks, he’s all about the classic wooden roller coasters—because some things never go out of style, just like his juggling tricks.

With Gratitude

The creation of Tilt! has been a true labor of love, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has shared their time, talents, and heart in bringing this 1980s-inspired amusement park adventure to life. To our family—Zion, Quinn, and Iago—thank you for your boundless imagination, encouragement, and hands-on help, from brainstorming wacky ride ideas to rolling up your sleeves in the workshop. To our parents, we are forever grateful for sparking our passion for circus by taking us to carnivals, fairs, and amusement parks—memories that still fuel our imagination and inspire our work today. To our remarkable cast and crew, your artistry, dedication, and joy have transformed Tilt! into the thrilling ride we dreamed it could be. To Alliance Artists Management, thank you for your unwavering belief in our vision. 

A very special thank you to Lori Cobo and the UNLV Performing Arts Center for their generous collaboration, enabling us to premiere Tilt! at home. Special thanks to Bo Bogatin and Kurt Nelson for their legal guidance, Andy Espo for technical support, and Bryan Schuette and Stephen Butz at United Machine for their precision craftsmanship and Mike Levine for the fastest T-shirt turnaround ever—your speed and quality product kept our cast and crew looking totally tubular. We are indebted to Don Seiersen for his artistic contributions, which added texture and depth to this production. We are grateful to the Las Vegas Circus Center for fostering such a vibrant community of creators, and to Cirque du Soleil and circus companies worldwide for their enduring commitment to pushing this art form forward. 

Finally, to our audiences: your enthusiasm and joy fuel our passion. Thank you for strapping in and taking this ride with us—together we celebrate the thrills, nostalgia, and wonder of the circus, the amusement park, and the totally awesome spirit of the 1980s.

Cirque Mechanics
Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride

Sunday, October 25, 2026