The Cirk Team
About Us
The Cirk is a manifestation of a devoted team’s passion for cirque arts. While coming from different backgrounds and walks of life, the founders and management team are united by the shared goal of promoting creative expression while curating unique and unforgettable experiences. Each member of the team brings unique skills, knowledge, and expertise to the table, as well as a mutual commitment to producing entertainment like no other. What first began as a dream to inspire has grown into an esteemed entertainment company with a reputation for excellence, and a testament to the power of grit and dedication.
Carl Isernhinke
Cirque is for Carl, a great escape from the rigidity of the financial sector.Carl Isernhike’s background and training lies in the finance sector where he began as a derivatives and quantitative analyst for an actuarial consultancy(year). Over the years, Carl has managed to build himself an impressive professional profile for which boasts the build-up of several asset management systems and consulting for several high-profile financial service companies as an investment portfolio manager. Cirque is for Carl, a great escape from the rigidity of the financial sector. The social structure and alternative methods of attaining fitness health that training offers are the two things that continue to fuel Carl’s passion for cirque arts.When not crunching numbers; Carl can be found training in cirque arts and performance at The CIRK. He is an accomplished aerialist, specialising in trapeze, and has experience performing for local as well as international audiences. With his background in finance and passion for cirque arts, he plays the key role of providing guidelines and establishing processes within The CIRK that ensure that the business meets the interests of artists as well as the needs of students and clients.
Marco Vargas
Marco was introduced to the world of cirque training and performance at the age of six. At the age of thirteen, following suite of his brother Orlando, Marco enrolled at the Circo Del Mundo. He spent his years on the training program specialising in Acrobatics and Chinese pole, as well as training in dance, theatre and trapeze. In 2009, Marco moved to South Africa where he continued to develop his skills further and train fulltime, as an instructor and performer. Over the years he has travelled across many African countries and the Middle East where he accumulated extensive knowledge and expertise on cirque technique and character performance. The CIRK is a social space that allows for collaboration between a diverse people. Marco’s sociable character, experience in event organisation and curiosity of diverse cultures contributes to building and maintaining good rapport with individuals that form part of The CIRK world.
Joanna Vargas
Heads and manages the Professional Training Program at The CIRK.Polish born, Joanna Pawelczyk boasts a versatile skill set which includes a long record of remarkable accomplishments in Pole Fitness Training and performance. She has been involved in competitive pole dancing for several years which has seen her performing in Australia, Prague as well as travel to Los Angeles, USA to train at the Choreography House. Joanna is a graduate of photography from the University of Cape Town which has allowed her to work as an independent photographer for many functions and events. In 2011, she opened a pole fitness studio called UniQ fitness which she later sold to move to Johannesburg to further purse her career in cirque training. She currently sits as a Director at The CIRK, heads and manages the Professional Training Program at The CIRK. Her role is to ensure that the program produces quality performers as well as choreograph acts that capture the beauty and essence of cirque arts training. Her strong business acumen and competition skills ensure a strong regard for discipline and good technique showcased by performers on the production The CIRK acts.
Orlando Vargas
A vision of making circus arts accessible to everyone.Orlando is a professional circus artist with 20 years’ experience in performing, rigging, and managing events. He is an entrepreneur with a vision of making circus arts accessible to everyone. Orlando was formally trained in circus performing arts at Circo Del Mundo school in Chile. He performed in many countries around the world and moved to South Africa in 2006. Having performed in many shows in South Africa, including Madam Zingara, he formed his first company, in 2008, with his former partner. He has excellent business and people skills and is passionate about social development.Orlando oversees the management of Cirk. He manages the technical requirements of the venue and serves as the client liaison where he matches the requirements of the client to the strengths of the team for successful client service delivery and satisfaction.
Michelle Fok
The combination of her strong academic background and tactful nature play an important role in setting up organisational structures Michelle Fok is a multi-skilled professional with training in Architecture from the University of Pretoria, as well as in Public Health studies at honours level from Monash South. Her research for her honour’s thesis covered the positive effects of Cirque arts training on young people with a positive HIV status.She was introduced to the arts very early in her childhood where she was exposed to various dance disciplines including modern, tap, Latin, contemporary and ballroom. Her career has evolved to include Pilates, aerial and pole training, performing across South Africa and on several other international stages. Michelle currently sits as one of the Directors at The CIRK where the combination of her strong academic background and tactful nature play an important role in setting up organisational structures. Her analytical mind and organisational skills have allowed her to setup up strong administrative systems that ensure smooth day to day operations across all departments at the CIRK.