Former Gator Gymnasts go From Athletes to Artists
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 | Gymnastics, Scott Carter
Corey Hartung and Nicola Willis were together again recently at a UF gymnastics meet. As the Gators prepared to face Penn State and N.C. State late last month, Hartung and Willis observed warm-up from seats next to the main floor.
They watched as the O'Connell Center filled with fans. They took pictures with Florida coach Rhonda Faehn. They said hello to people they hadn't seen in a while.
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| Nicola Willis (left) and Corey Hartung show they still know how to execute the Gator chomp. |
Hartung completed her UF career in 2009, and then served as a student-coach in 2010. Willis finished her career in 2008, served as a student coach in 2009 and then split time mostly between the U.S. and her native England since.
However, for the past few months, Hartung and Willis have been back on the same team in a much different arena. They are no longer known as athletes.
“You're not being judged,'' Hartung said. “They call us artists.''
Hartung and Willis are performers in a European-based traveling show with Cirque du Soleil. They perform for a week at a time in one city, and then move to the next stop after Sunday night's show is over.
They have performed in Paris and Prague and other cities in Europe drenched in history. In some ways, they are living a life that seems nearly as much fantasy as the show they perform in – called Saltimbanco – based from the Italian “saltore in banco,'' which literally means “to jump on a bench'' according to the official Cirque du Soleil website.
The show explores the urban experience in full bloom and according to the website's description, “the show's eclectic cast of characters draws spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world, and imaginary city where diversity is a cause for hope.''
The former Gators – Hartung actually roomed with Willis when she made her recruiting visit to UF six years ago – are making the most of their unexpected run as teammates. Well, actually they are now considered castmates.
“It's been an awesome experience,'' said Hartung, who spent six months in Montreal training for the show before joining Willis in Europe last fall. “I'm blessed to be able to travel to a new city every week. Not very many people get to do that for their job.''
Willis is in more familiar territory. She grew up in England and has traveled around Europe prior to joining Cirque du Soleil. After spending most of her life competing in gymnastics, she is grateful for an opportunity to make a living using her athleticism and interest in creative arts.
The acting part of the job is one she has embraced and studied.
“In our show we have a lot of freedom compared to other shows, so you can really build on your character's personality and how you want to perform,'' Willis said. “It's a lot of fun.
“It's an amazing feeling when you finish the show and they all stand up. The round of applause gives you tingles.''
At a recent week-long run in Paris, Hartung said the arena was packed with 6,000 fans a night. At first, she was more nervous about pulling off her act on stage than performing the physical portion of the show where her gymnastics training pays off.
The show includes large poles, various swings and bungees. Prior to the current tour – they were in Gainesville recently for a 10-day break from the show – both Hartung and Willis had to take acting classes.
Both feel as confident now walking out on stage as they once did wearing their orange and blue leotards at the O-Dome.
“Each day you figure out something new or a new way to play your character on stage,'' Hartung said.
“It's more about performing, not just training for that one big competition,'' Willis said. “It's not just about how perfect your skill is. It's about your presence on stage, your facial expression, how you can connect [with the audience].''
They often spend about 12 hours a day at the arena when the show is touring. Still, they do find time to get away and check out some of the historic cities they have visited.
Prior to returning to Gainesville, Hartung visited Italy for the first time, stopping in Venice and then on to Florence, her new favorite place.
Willis pursued a position in the show once she left UF and eventually landed a spot in the European troupe. Hartung land a similar role after she completed her degree at UF and spent a season on Faehn's staff last year.
Neither Willis nor Hartung knows how long they will make their living this way, but both are obviously enjoying the experience and relying on some of the skills they further developed at UF as All-American gymnasts.
“I love performing,'' Hartung said. “It's very fun to be a character and act crazy and do whatever you want on stage. “It's fun to perform for an audience just like gymnastics was.''
But instead of road trips to Georgia or Utah, they now visit some of the world's most famous cities.
“We're kind of at the age where you're old enough to appreciate the city and you're young enough to explore,'' Willis said. “I love it.''
