Our Jury Members

of 2024

Firebird Productions, INC

Peter. Dubinsky

Peter Dubinsky was born in Odessa, a city on the Black Sea, on September 26, 1960. At 17, he was accepted to the famed Moscow Theatrical Institute and graduated in 1983 with a Diploma of Excellence. He was then made a Director for the Moscow Circus, working with circus programs, and representing circus acts in over 70 countries. For over 30 years, he has lived in Florida, USA, where he founded Firebird Productions, Inc., an international entertainment company. Firebird Productions, Inc., produces shows and provides performers for such famed entertainment venues as Walt Disney World, Disney’s EPCOT Center, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Cirque du Soleil, Tokyo Disney Sea, Universal Studios of Japan, Chimelong Zhuhai International Circus, Beau Rivage Casino in USA, and many others around the world. He is also the Artistic Consultant and Jury Member for many Circus Festivals around the world, including Festivals in Italy, Spain, Hungary, France, China, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, Chili, Mexico, Israel, Brazil and many others. For his work, he has been awarded the prize of the Mayor of Monaco for “Outstanding Achievement,”; TEA award for “Outstanding Achievement” for his entertainment program at Tokyo Disney Sea, among others.

Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo

Dr. Alain Frère

Dr. Alain Frère is a celebrity in the circus for many years as a journalist, MD, he has taken care of circus artists and their families-at home in France ,and sometimes abroad from little known performers to famous circus dynasties. A dye-hard circus enthusiast since childhood, he has also gathered in his museum of Tourette-Levens, in the South of France(a town in which he was the long-time mayor) one of the world's most important anddiverse circus collections, including posters, costumes, art objects, and a treasure trove of extraordinary and rare circus memorabilia -which he calls a tribute to "all the Glories ofthe Circus." Most importantly, Alain Frère is co-founder with Prince Rainier III of Monaco of the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo and was for more than four decades its Artistic Consultant. The festival expressed their gratitude this year by presenting Dr. Frere with a Gold Clown, the circus equivalent of the movies' Oscar*.

Acrobatic Casting Advisor – Resident Shows Cirque du Soleil

Charlie Burrows 

Before becoming Senior Casting Advisor and talent scout for some of the world’s most well-known productions by Cirque du Soleil®, Charlie Burrows made a name for himself as a world-class power tumbler for more than a decade. Burrows has competed in more than 20 World Cup and World Championship events and was crowned European Team Champion in 2006 and World Championship Finalist in 2007 in trampoline and tumbling. After finishing his business management degree and competitive career in 2011, Burrows joined Cirque du Soleil as a special events performer before joining La Nouba, a resident show at Walt Disney World Resort, where he performed in the Powertrack and Trampoline act, one of the award winning acts of Cirque du Soleil. Today, Charlie is based in Las Vegas where he is Senior Casting Advisor for Resident Shows by Cirque du Soleil.

Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione, France

Régina Bouglione

Régina Bouglione was born on February 20, 1962, in Paris.

Little sister of Joseph and big sister of Louis-Sampion and Odette, she is the daughter of Emilien Bouglione and Christiane Bouglione.

4th generation of Bouglione, great circus dynasty, Régina is at the right school to live a passion that will become a vocation. His father is internationally recognized as one of the best squire masters of his generation.

She has performed all over the world (Scott Circus, Ringling, etc.), with several numbers, notably her famous crossbow number before returning to France to perform at the Family Circus: the Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione in Paris.

She performs there every year, notably as a horse rider.

International Circus Festival Saint Paul-les-Dax France

Bruno Laloye

​In 1999, Bruno established The International Festival of Circus Artists in Saint Paul les Dax. Serving as the President and one of the owners of the casino in Saint Paul les Dax, he initiated this festival. Simultaneously, Bruno held the position of President at the local Tourism Office. Despite having no prior knowledge of circus arts, he chose this form to present a significant event to the city. The main objective was to promote circus art in the region of France where he resided. Fast forward to the 23rd Festival held in March, which was well-received by both artists and the public. The event drew over 14,000 spectators in Saint Paul-les-Dax, showcasing efforts to provide optimal conditions for the artists.

President and Executive Director of Lone Star Circus & American Circusfest

Mark Doyle

Mark was born in Louisville, Kentucky.  Later, he met his wife, Fanny Kerwich in 2000, who was with Feld Entertainment’s production of Barnum’s Kaleidoscape.   He has produced circus shows and sourced circus Talent for over 20 years.  He is President and Executive Director of Lone Star Circus.  He is also President and Executive Director of American CircusFest, an independent non-profit organization that produces an annual international circus festival aimed at stimulating community appreciation and interest in the circus arts — the first of its kind in America.

Owner of Circus Vargas

Katya Arata Quiroga

“ Seventh-generation circus performer, Katya Arata Quiroga is the daughter of legendary Italian tight-wire artist, Vittorio Arata and acrobat & juggler Ingrid Kaiser from the famed Osmani family of the Netherlands. 

Raised by her grandparents in Amsterdam, Katya studied classical ballet and piano at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Katya’s mother later married Roland Kaiser, then owner of Circus Vargas. Ingrid and Roland successfully ran the show until their retirement.

Katya met her husband, fellow performer Nelson Quiroga on tour with Circus Vargas.  Subsequently they performed on many prestigious circuses around the world, including the 2004 International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo, where they were awarded the coveted Gold Clown, with their flying trapeze act. Katya is currently CEO of Circus Vargas, which she jointly owns and operates with her husband Nelson, they also have three beautiful daughters together  “

World Class agent

Jeanette Williams

Jeanette is a highly respected judge and entertainment agent who has had the honor of serving as a judge at several prestigious events, including the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo, Room, Circus Liane Orfei, Budapest State Circus, and Circque Bouglione Paris.

addition to her judging duties, Jeanette as an entertainment agent has also sent a number of acts to the Monte Carlo festival that have achieved success, earning either Gold or Silver awards.

Some of the notable acts that she has sent to the festival include Anthony Gatto Juggler, Elvin Bale Trapeze, Elvin Bale Wheel, Tino Wallenda High wire, Tabarares Flying act, and Dolly Jacobs Roman Rings.

Director of Circus Vazquez & Flip Circus

Aldo Vazquez

one of the five brothers from Circo Hermanos Vazquez is recognized for his unwavering dedication and excellence in the circus arts. Throughout his career spanning from 1990 to the present, he has taken on various roles, including acrobat, animal trainer, show producer, and operations manager. Currently, he manages operations and production at Circo Vazquez USA and FLIP Circus USA, overseeing a team of more than 70 individuals. Growing up in the circus environment has equipped Aldo with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of circus performance and logistics. He has served as a judge at esteemed festivals like the Festival International du Cirque de Monte Carlo, the Festival Internacional del Circ Elefant d'Or, and the International Circus Festival of Italy.

Director of Vazquez Integral Arts & Agent

Adam Vazquez

4th Generation Circus, Int’l award-winning Duo A&A Distinguished Accolade of Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione, Paris

Adam Vazquez, 4th generation circus artist, carries on the rich historical tradition of his family with artistic integrity, discipline and passion for his craft. Having captured the quality and poise of hand-to-hand artistry, as part of the international award-winning Duo A&A, Adam has graced the stages of the world’s most renowned venues, holding a prestigious place in history among the halls of Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione, a fully-merited plaque for “Most Standing Ovations.”

Now, as the director of Las Vegas’ thriving circus school, Vazquez Integral Arts, as well as agent to international contracts such as Germany’s colossal Flic Flac Zirkus, Adam takes pride in recognizing the responsibility of cultivating the arts for generations to come.

CEO of Cisco Atayde

Celeste Atayde

from Mexico's renowned Atayde circus family, has a diverse career in musical theater, dance, and circus management. She transitioned from jazz teaching to public administration before joining Circo Hermanos Vazquez and eventually leading Atayde Hnos. She is the co-founded Atayde Alberto y Celeste Producciones, introducing innovative circus shows like VENTURA. She presented the Atayde Hnos Circus in Saudi Arabia and collaborates with the Ministry of Culture. Celeste is a speaker on women's empowerment and circus entertainment while also teaching entertainment production at Claustro Universit.

Visionary & Creative Director of Lone Star Circus & Founder of American CircusFest

Fanny Kerwich

Fanny belongs to the eighth generation of a well-known French circus family.  Her father, Albert Kerwich, was a distinguished aerialist who became a circus entrepreneur in Canada.  A performer since the age of six, Fanny later graduated from Annie Fratellini’s National Circus School in Paris before studying in Moscow, under the legendary circus act director, Valentin Gneushev.  A highly versatile artist, she has performed all over the world for forty years.  In Europe, she was featured at the world-famous Moulin Rouge and Lido cabarets in Paris and Circus Roncalli in Germany.  In the U.S., she performed in Feld Entertainment’s Barnum Kaleidoscape and at Teatro ZinZanni in San Francisco.  

In 2006, she founded Lone Star Circus Arts Center, a Dallas-based non-profit circus organization that encompasses Lone Star Circus School and its performing arm, Lone Star Circus®.     For decades, Lone Star Circus has produced world class shows under Fanny’s vision and creative and artistic direction.

In 2022, she founded and American CircusFest, an independent non-profit organization that produces an annual international circus festival aimed at promoting excellence in performance of circus arts and international exposure for Circuses, Producers & Artists — the first of its kind in America.  

Director and producer of stage extravaganzas, musicals, rock concerts, and shows worldwide.

Hanoch Rosènn

Rosènn is renowned for his large-scale productions.

Rosènn began his career as a mime and was hailed by the press as "The Prince of Mime - The successor of Marcel Marceau"
He has performed globally and won numerous awards for his one-man show, "Speechless."

In Las Vegas, Rosènn has directed and produced several shows, including:

WOW - The Vegas Spectacular at the RIO
Extravaganza at Bally’s (now Horseshoe)
ROUGE – The Sexiest Show in Vegas at the STRAT
A second production of ROUGE is set to open in Berlin starting April 2025.
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D&A Entertainment, R&R Entertainment, T&R Entertainment

Producer of Dinnershow Teatro Munich & Teatro Columbine Basel

Clemens Zipse

since 1976 in Showbusiness
Co-Founder of Koko Entertainment Germany in 1976 as local Promoter in the south of Germany
Co-Founder of Show Circus Basel 1994
Producer of Moscow State Circus with Oleg Popov in Germany 1995
Founder and Producer of WeihnachtsZirkusFestival Freiburg 1996
Producer of
Founder and Producer of Palazzo Dinnershow 1998
Mannheim, Hamburg, Amsterdam,Vienna, Zürich, Basel, Stuttgart, Nueremburg, Prague
Founder and Producer of Teatro Dinnershow Munich 2008
Co Founder of Teatro Colombino GmbH
Founder of teatro events GmbH Munich
Founder of ACE Public Service GmbH
2024 Producer of Teatro Dinnershow, Munich and Palazzo Colombino, Basel

Resident Director of Absinthe Spiegelworld.

Susan Manikas

Susan, currently, the Resident Director for Absinthe by Spiegelworld at Caesars Palace. She has been working with circus companies for about 10 years in various capacities and Spiegelworld for the last 6 years. holding a Bachelor's Degree in Theater from Wesleyan University and have been working in entertainment for 25 years. Prior to moving to Las Vegas, she lived and worked in New York City and toured the world with Pilobolus Dance Theater's evening length piece, Shadowland.