Disney has shared a first look at the set of Drawn to Life, the new Cirque du Soleil production coming to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. Drawn to Life debuts in April.
Written and directed by Michel Laprise, Drawn to Life is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering.
Drawn to Life is a live acrobatic journey telling the story of Julie, a girl who discovers an unfinished animation piece, left to her by her late father.
As she embarks on her journey, guided by a ‘surprising pencil’, she learns to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future.
Ten unique acrobatic acts feature in Drawn to Life
The story is driven by ten unique acrobatic acts, including an energetic Rhythmic Gymnastics group number and a pencil-test-inspired Aerial Pole routine.
Drawn to Life also features animation from favourite Disney films as well as new animation created by Disney artists, led by Eric Goldberg.
It takes place on a vast stage made to look like an animator’s desk, with sheets of paper surrounding it and a giant animator’s lamp overhead.
The show, which will officially premiere April 17, has an international cast of 65 artists. Drawn to Life will perform twice per day, Tuesday through Saturday.
Show has an international cast of 65 artists
Diane Quinn, chief creative officer at Cirque du Soleil, said the “stunning show” will “inspire audiences to dream and reach for the impossible”.
“Our show uses new technologies and art forms to portray the innate physicality of animation,” said Laprise, writer and director of Drawn to Life.
“During a number of the acts, classic Disney animation sequences come alive via contemporary projections, complementing the spectacular feats of our acrobats.”
“The size and scope of props used in the show are spellbinding,” said Fabrice Becker, creation director of Drawn to Life.
