There is little difference between athletes on ice and artists on ice when Cirque du Soleil puts on a show.
It takes speed, agility, strength and practice. Athletic trainers are needed, whether the performers are in uniform or costume.
Five members of Wichita State's athletic training staff talked with performance medicine therapist Jaclyn Arduini of the training staff for "Crystal," the Cirque du Soleil acrobatic show on ice that visited Wichita's Intrust Bank Arena in late October. Over the course of the 90-minute visit they watched on-ice practice and learned how Cirque operates on the road for eight-week stretches and runs of six or seven shows in four days in one city.