KIMIKO
Presented by The GRAND & Le Cirque de la Nuit

A Journey of Identity, Heritage & Extraordinary Circus Arts
Created & Performed by Kaylie Kreatrix

About the Show

What happens when the art form you love becomes the key to discovering who you are?

Kimiko is a captivating fusion of contemporary circus, theatrical storytelling and Japanese cultural traditions, taking audiences on an intimate and visually stunning journey through identity, heritage and self-discovery.

Created and performed by professional circus artist Kaylie Kreatrix, this one-woman production brings together an extraordinary collection of circus disciplines, from the hypnotic illusions of buugeng and intricate object manipulation to mesmerizing parasol balancing, graceful fan dancing, juggling and the daring, rarely seen art of sword swallowing.

Woven throughout these remarkable performances is Kaylie's deeply personal exploration of her Japanese Canadian ancestry, including her family's experience of forced internment during the Second World War and the lasting impact of cultural displacement across generations.

Through moments of humour, vulnerability and breathtaking artistry, Kaylie discovers an unexpected connection between her lifelong passion for circus and Edo Daikagura, a centuries-old Japanese performance tradition that helps her reconnect with her cultural roots.

At once entertaining, moving and thought-provoking, Kimiko celebrates resilience, belonging and the extraordinary power of art to connect us to our past, our identity and one another.

About the Artist

Kaylie Kreatrix is a professional circus artist and creator specializing in object manipulation, juggling, balancing and specialty circus disciplines, including sword swallowing. Based in Quebec's Laurentians, Kaylie has performed internationally, including in Japan, where her experiences helped inspire her exploration of Japanese cultural performance traditions.

Her original production Kimiko has received awards at the Ottawa Fringe Festival. Her original production Kimiko has received awards at the Ottawa Fringe Festival and multiple 5-star reviews.