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WEEK IN WOMEN: Dawn Porter directs Cirque du Soleil documentary – Brandy McDonnell reports

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Director Dawn Porter is joining forces with MGM Television to produce a feature documentary about Cirque du Soleil as the live entertainment company makes a comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to shutter operations and declare bankruptcy.

The documentary will provide a behind-the-scenes look at Cirque du Soleil’s resurgence after the most difficult period in the global circus’ history.

“Like so many people, I have always been enthralled with the beauty and mystery of Cirque du Soleil and fascinated with the extraordinarily talented people who make the seemingly impossible come to life. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to document Cirque’s biggest challenge, a return to the stage after one of the world’s greatest crises,” Porter said in a statement.

“The performers, cast, company, and crew are giving their all to make this the biggest premiere of their careers. This is a magnificent story and I’m so grateful to be able to tell it.”

Porter is directing and executive producing the new project, with her production company Trilogy Films and partner Industrial Media providing production services.

Filming on the project took place leading up to the July 1 opening night for Cirque du Soleil’s show “O” as it returned to the stage at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Continue reading on THE WEEK IN WOMEN.

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Brandy McDonnell

Brandy McDonnell writes features and reviews movies, music, events and the arts for The Oklahoman, Oklahoma's statewide newspaper, and NewsOK.com, the state's largest news Web site. Raised on a farm near Lindsay, Okla., she started her journalism career in seventh grade, when she was elected reporter for her school's 4-H Club. Taking her duties seriously, she began submitting stories to The Lindsay News, and worked for the local weekly through high school. She attended Oklahoma State University, where she worked for The Daily O'Collegian and earned her journalism degree with honors. She worked for three years at small Oklahoma dailies The Edmond Sun and Shawnee News-Star. In 2002, she joined The Oklahoman as a features reporter, writing about movies, the arts, events, families and nonprofits. She moved to The Oklahoman's entertainment desk in 2007. In 2004, she won a prestigious Journalism Fellowship in Child & Family Policy from the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Along with her membership in AWFJ, she also is a founding member of the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle. Brandy writes The Week In Women blog for AWFJ.org.