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

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.

Anwar Hassouni
Acrobat | Chair Stacking

Anwar Hassouni grew up in the circus. A second-generation performer, he began learning hand balancing and acrobatics from his father as a child and has been hooked ever since. He continued developing his skills at Circus Juventas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he trained and performed in everything from hand balancing and acrobatics to flying trapeze. Since then, circus has taken Anwar around the world, touring throughout the United States and Europe and performing at festivals in Australia and Germany. In 2025, he joined Cirque Mechanics for the remount of Pedal Punk, and he couldn’t be happier to be back with the Cirque Mechanics family and on the road again with Tilt! For Anwar, performing is about more than the tricks, it’s about the connection with the audience. He loves the energy of live performance, sharing what he loves, and bringing a little joy to people wherever the circus takes him.

Clara Laurent
Acrobat | Cradle

Originally from San Diego, California, Clara Laurent discovered circus after retiring from artistic gymnastics at 17—and quickly found a new way to spend as much time as possible upside down. After exploring a variety of disciplines at the San Diego Circus Center, she continued her training at the National Circus School of Montreal, specializing in aerial straps while also training in Russian cradle, static trapeze, and teeterboard. Since graduating, Clara’s circus career has taken her around the world, performing with companies including NoFit State Circus, The 7 Fingers, and Palazzo. She has performed both as a soloist and as a member of Vol au Vent, the first all-female teeterboard group to graduate from the National Circus School. Whether she’s flying through the air, hanging upside down, or being launched from a teeterboard, Clara is happiest when gravity is merely a suggestion. Naturally, when it comes to roller coasters, her favorite is whichever one has the most loop-the-loops!

Andrew Leachman
Acrobat | Teeterboard

Andrew Leachman is a lover of all things movement and, without realizing it, spent most of his life training for the circus. A gymnast, cheerleader, coach, parkour enthusiast, cliff-jumping maniac, and snowboarding newbie, Andrew has always been happiest when he’s in motion, or preferably airborne. Growing up between California and Hawaii as a military brat, Andrew moved around often, but movement was always a constant. After years of coaching gymnastics, tumbling, and parkour, he discovered that performing offered another way to share that passion. He began his circus career at San Diego Circus Center, where he trained in teeterboard, tramp wall, hoop diving, and more. Andrew loves the adrenaline of pushing himself, whether he’s flying through the air or riding a roller coaster. His current favorite? El Toro at Six Flags, a massive wooden coaster that immediately shot to the top of his list. Offstage, Andrew is equally happy keeping his feet firmly on the ground, indulging his love of computers, video games, and cars.

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 has always been an artist. Somewhere along the way, she discovered she could tell stories with her whole body, and preferably several feet off the ground. A lifelong mover, athlete, and creative, Lexi earned a degree in Kinesiology before finding her home in circus, where movement, art, and adventure could become something entirely their own. Since then, she has performed around the world in productions including Marvel Universe Live, MTV, Missy Elliott, cruise ships, festivals, and plenty of adventures in between. For Lexi, circus is equal parts craft and connection, a way to explore what the human body can do while telling stories that make people feel something. Offstage, she’s usuallypainting, writing, making music, finding the nearest body of water, wearing some form of leopard print, or aggressively encouraging the people around her. Raised just 45 minutes from Disneyland, Lexi grew up on family park days, churros, mouse ears, and Disney magic. Her favorite attraction? The Jungle Cruise, because a well-timed dad joke is clearly a mark of sophistication. She still believes in wonder, play, and shared experiences, and that’s the kind of magic she hopes to create for audiences, too

Luis Miguel Roldán Santiago
Acrobat | Cradle

Luis Miguel Roldán Santiago is a Puerto Rican circus artist, acrobat, and dancer who has been tumbling, flying, and occasionally questioning his life choices in the air for years. After initially pursuing a career in medicine, he followed his passion for movement to Europe, training at the École Supérieure des Arts du Cirque (ESAC), where he specialized in Korean cradle, hand-to-hand, group acrobatics, aerial silks, and dance. Since then, Luis Miguel has performed internationally with companies including CirkVOST, La Compagnie Zali, and Los Hermanos Suárez. At Madrid’s FIRCO Festival, he earned both the Public Award and a Silver Medal. When he’s not throwing people around—or being thrown around himself, Luis Miguel is a coach, personal trainer, and serial entrepreneur who can turn almost anything into his next business idea. A conversation? Business idea. A circus trick? Business idea. A cup of coffee? Probably a business idea. At an amusement park, Luis Miguel heads straight for the biggest, fastest, most ridiculous ride he can find. If it makes him question his decisions while strapped into a seat, he’s having a great time.

Ossy Sanchez
Juggler | Acrobat

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