Almas Meirmanov flies as Ares
From The Hephaestus Issue of ArtAntica
Mentioned in this entry: Tony Hernandez
How did you get involved with Hepaestus?
I have known Tony for almost 10, maybe 12 years now. It’s been a long time. I’ve known him from circus from way back.
When he approached you did he have a specific vision in mind?
Yeah, I mean he pretty much mentioned that I would play his sibling, Ares, right away. So I kind of knew what I was getting in to.
How did your father prepare you for a life in the circus?
Well I was born into the circus. My father graduated from the Moscow circus school. And I was born actually on the road while he was traveling. So since I was three it’s pretty much been training non-stop.
What sort of training does that include?
Acrobatics, hand-balancing. I didn’t pick up aerials, straps—which is what I’m doing in Hephaestus—until later on in my career. But my training has mostly included acrobatics and stretching. A lot of stretching.
What’s your training regime now?
You know, I have two different acts that I do. I have an aerial straps act, and I also have a hand-balancing act which is kind of my primary act in the circus. I try to get two hours of practice a day of each of the routines.
Tell us about the circus competitions you've participated in.
The first one that I went to was Monte Carlo. I was 16 years old. I went with my hand-balancing act. And I got the silver medal, second place. The most recent one I went to—when I was 18—was Vietnam. It was a big Asian circus festival there. And I got a silver medal there as well. These were for my hand-balancing.
How does performing Hephaestus in a relative small space like Lookingglass’ compare with other performances that you’ve done?
I like performing in large arenas where they seat some 10,000 people. But I also enjoy, and I think I enjoy more, the intimate, one ring, or intimate theaters where you can interact with people and see their faces and their expressions. I like that more because it brings more life to the performance itself.
What are your long-term goals for performing?
Well, I’m trying various other arts of performing, such as acting. I’ve been trying to get into movies with a lot of stunt work, sort of using my physical abilities to get my feet wet, so to speak, in the movie business. And I’ve done various movies such as Fred Claus, which just came out. I’m in the Batman movie that’s coming out next summer and a few other independent films as well where I stunt-doubled. So circus has been a big part of my life and I think will always be because I enjoy the art of performing. I enjoy being on stage. Circus will always be with me, I’ll always be a performer.
What was your favorite part of doing Hephaestus last time?
I like playing—you know I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a villain—but I like playing a dark character. In previous shows I’ve been in, I’ve always played sort of the prince character, always very positive. In this I’m a little darker, I’m like the mean brother. And I like playing a villain character, I think it’s interesting.
| 
