Cirque du Soleil Teams With Club Med

The official launch of Creactive at Club Med Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, proved one thing beyond a doubt: With this new collaboration between performing-arts innovators Cirque du Soleil and all-inclusive pioneers Club Med, the bar has been raised for activity programming at resorts worldwide. Already famous for the “flying trapeze academy” and many other sporty offerings, Club Med now brings to Punta Cana a 37,500-square-foot interactive Cirque du Soleil area where adults and children can learn real Cirque disciplines.

“We wanted to do something very unique, but probably not a show,” said Sabrina Cendral, vice president of marketing and digital for Club Med, about the decision to build a world-class circus facility in the Caribbean. “We want something our guests are going to really be able to be a part of.”

The Creactive “Playscape” is anchored by a double trapeze (a new innovation to the Club Med signature activity) and a 30-foot-high Acroplex. Every day of the week, Club Med guests can go to the Creactive space and live out circus-performer fantasies — dad might be unicycling around or somersaulting on the Super-Bungee, while mom and the kids are lining up for a turn at the trapeze. A hand-picked team of Cirque performers from around the world teach as many as 25 activities that include aerial acrobatics, drumming, makeup application and more.

During weekly “demonstrations,” the Cirque troupe performs many of their signature acts in front of an entranced audience — encouraging guests to check out the Playscape for themselves. Eventually, Creactive teachers plan to invite some of the young guests on stage to perform their new circus skills during evening talent shows. The troupe also intends to start putting on impromptu daytime minishows throughout the resort. It’s the all-inclusive Club Med experience — with Cirque perks.

“Club Med is described as the granddaddy of all-inclusive resorts, but what we strive to do is reinvent the all-inclusive category,” Cendral said. “I think with products such as Creactive and everything else we’re doing on this resort, we’re demonstrating that.”

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