Launched in 2021, Drawn to Life marks the first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. It’s a production that pays tribute to the magical art of animation and the lives touched by Disney films for over a century.
The Story and Characters of Drawn to Life
At its core, Drawn to Life is a tale of family, of the enduring love felt in loss. The story is told through the eyes of a courageous 12-year-old girl named Julie (played with perfection by the astonishing Miho, and Chloe Polson). Early on, we learn that Julie’s father, a Disney animator and artist, has left behind an unexpected gift: an incomplete drawing.
Finding this meaningful treasure prompts Julie and her BFF, Petit Oreiller (which means “Little Pillow” in French) to embark on a journey. We, the audience, get to follow along as the main character undergoes a life-changing transformation, guided by the drawings and tools her father used to bring so many beloved characters to life.
Along the way, you’ll also meet a vibrant cast of characters, including:
- Mr. Pencil: Mr. Pencil was once Julie’s father’s most trusted tool and confidante. Mr. Pencil bonds with Julie and becomes one of her closet companions throughout the production.
- Mainamie: Mainamie is a white glove that provides comfort and gives Julie strength to carry on.
- Miss Hésitation and the Doubtovskis: More than just the crumpled-up ball of paper she appears to be, Miss Hésitation is the physical embodiment of Julie’s self-doubt. Alongside her henchmen, the Doubtovskis, she represents discarded ideas, the ones stifled by self-doubt—a familiar struggle for many artists. As Julie’s story unfolds, we discover that maybe, just maybe, Miss Hésitation isn’t all that bad after all.
- The Animators: Julie encounters four animators on her journey. These four are a nod to Disney legends like Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and Mary Blair. Their presence provides an element of insight and some comic relief, while paying homage to Disney animation greats.
- The Five Comforting Sheets: These animated sheets of paper come to life, projecting the familiar faces of Disney animation—reminders of Julie’s father, and the artwork she grew up enjoying.
Drawn to Life is a heartwarming story of the bond between a daughter and her father. Ultimately, it’s a story that captivates and mesmerizes, as only a Cirque du Soleil production can.
The Spectacular Acts and Performances in Drawn to Life
Drawn to Life features gravity-defying acrobatics and aerial displays, captivating choreography that tells a story, and new musical arrangements that provide the soundtrack for the experience.
Some acrobatic performances show-goers can expect to witness include many of our Signature Cirque du Soleil feats. These acrobatic feats include:
- Teeterboard jumps: During the teeterboard act, characters known as “Elasti-men” leap high into the sky. While this looks impressive initially, the performance has a deeper meaning. The Elasti-men pay homage to a technique in animation called Squash and Stretch, a principle that uses exaggerated elasticity to convey emotion or intention.
- Aerial acts: Human trapeze artists play a huge part in most Cirque du Soleil shows. Here, the trapeze is shaped like a pencil to serve the narrative. But it isn’t just any pencil. It’s a pencil that represents the “pencil test,” which many animators pinpoint as the important moment when the pencil first hits the page and ideas begin pouring out. Our talented acrobats use the air to form fluid and rigid lines, as if the performer’s body is the animated character.
- The cradle wheel: In one of the most spell-binding and spectacular acts of this entire production, the audience glimpses Julie’s dreams, which turn into a kaleidoscopic whirlwind of colors as Mr. and Mrs. Paintbrush are roused awake by an artist.
From up above, the two paintbrushes are suspended on a giant wheel—a breathtaking work of human trapeze, their bodies mimicking paintbrushes creating masterful watercolors. Three aerial hoop artists simultaneously sway and soar, creating a vibrant canvas. Beautiful? Yes. Remarkable? Undeniably. It’s also educational.
This scene is a nod to Mary Blair, a Disney animator who revolutionized the craft. It also honors the Women of Ink and Paint, the heroes whose brushstrokes gave life to early animation celluloids.
- Icarian games: Julie’s fears and self-doubt are apparent throughout the show—but, much like in Disney movies, these feeling are quelled by the presence of playful forest creatures.
In the Icarian Games act, two pairs of acrobats stealthily juggle their partners using their feet into mesmerizing flips and twists, showcasing strength and trust. As this happens, Julie’s animator friends demonstrate how animals and their movements—whether those be stealth, clumsy, nimble, energetic—can inspire her in bringing animations of her own to life.
Cirque du Soleil’s performances weave together story and emotion, advancing the plot through dance, acrobatic feats, and song. Drawn to Life is no exception.
Uncover All the Secrets
Want to know more? Find out everything you need to know about Drawn to Life and its captivating storylines!
Artistic and Visual Mastery in Drawn to Life
A stage inspired by animation
Audiences will be drawn to the production’s attention to detail. It all begins with the masterful set design. The show plays out on a massive stage, made to look like an animator’s desk, angled for the animator’s comfort.
The stage is surrounded by footlights shaped like pegs, holding giant sheets of paper featuring sketches of familiar Disney characters. Rotating curtains add to the ambiance—these are cast over the backdrop to add texture to scenes and help move Julie’s story forward. But, on a deeper level, they’re a wink to multiplane cameras, as they are made to mimic those used in the early days of animation. Artists would move around transparent glass plates to create depth or other motion effects. See if these curtains evoke that for you.
Then, to round things out, there are speakers shaped like Donald Duck’s footprints, a pencil pot and the pencil sharpener, and let’s not forget about the 35-ft. lamp set off to the side. All these elements immediately draw in audiences, immersing them in Julie’s world.
Costumes
The magic continues with the costuming. Costume designer Philippe Guillotel wanted the experience to be highly imaginative and playful. Julie’s world is, in some ways, similar to ours. But she’s also living in a world where inanimate objects come to life. Are we peering into Julie’s imagination? Are these objects really walking, talking, and performing daring acrobatic feats? Anything’s possible with Cirque du Soleil.
Ultimately, through costuming and the other visual aspects, it’s clear that it’s not for us to decide. The beautiful, intricate costumes are meant to bring us into this world and experience what Julie is experiencing. All 72 performing artists, including the live band, collectively don more than 750 costume pieces during each performance.
Because so much of the work is inspired by the magic of drawing, Guillotel designed many costumes to look like lines and etchings in original animation drawings. Even the makeup is sketch-like, with exaggerated lines and smudges. This attention to detail makes it so that Disney animation is at the heart of the story in every facet of the production.
The sounds and music
The composers who produced the soundtrack for Drawn to Life understood the power of the Disney soundtracks, delivering an entirely original score sprinkled with familiar playful snippets of melodies from movies that have been a part of our world.
The set design and costumes only heighten an already enchanting experience from the two entities known for producing their own stunning visuals. To make this production happen, Cirque du Soleil collaborated with Walt Disney Animation Studios on original animation and sketches. So, show-goers can expect to see tons of familiar faces in the form of drawings—Olaf, Genie, Hercules, and more.
From page to stage: How the vision came to life
The creative collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Cirque du Soleil was a project years in the making. The goal for the production was fairly straightforward. Rather than reinterpret an existing movie for the Cirque du Soleil stage, the three entities brainstormed a way to come up with a show that would pay homage to the art of animation and Disney’s storied legacy.
As a result, creatives from each team came together to form an ‘Animator’s trust,’ to ensure every effort was made to preserve and honor the legacy of animation.
Today, more than 84 crew members from over 20 countries work in Orlando to bring this astonishing performance to life.
Planning Your Visit to Drawn to Life
Can’t wait to see Drawn to Life? Get ready, because you’re in for a magical treat! Exclusively playing at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida—right in the heart of Walt Disney World—this Cirque du Soleil production is not to be missed. Tickets can be purchased directly through Cirque du Soleil, where you’ll find details on pricing, showtimes, and the venue location.
We want to make sure your Drawn to Life experience is as memorable as possible. Before your show, be sure to check out what’s happening at Disney Springs. Plan enough time before doors open to get some shopping done and take in some of the other entertainment. Grab a bite before the performance begins at any of these establishments:
- Jaleo By Jose Andrés: A taste of authentic Spanish cuisine, serving tapas and paella.
- City Works Eatery and Pour House: A casual dining restaurant serving up American classics like burgers and fries with tons of craft beer on tap.
- Summer House on the Lake: Enjoy California-inspired cuisine served in a beachy setting with lovely lake views.
If magic is what you’re looking for, you’re destined to find it at Disney Springs.
Reviews and Media Coverage of Drawn to Life
Drawn to Life is sure to be a hit among lovers of Disney and Cirque du Soleil alike. It’s the extraordinary story of animation, as told through acrobatic artistry. But don’t just take our word for it. After witnessing the performances, here’s what these critics had to say.
“There were several moments that left us speechless,” said critic Michele Atwood, of the Main Street Mouse. Terri Peters of Chron agrees: “[Drawn to Life] delivers the perfect blend of Disney animation with a side of thrilling acrobatic and aerial performances.”
“The whole family will enjoy high-flying stunts, original music, and new animation that can only be seen in Orlando,” says Cynthia Drake of Southern Living.
Engage with the Magic of Drawn to Life
Now that you've learned more about Drawn to Life, are you ready to experience the magic firsthand? If you want to make your evening with Cirque du Soleil even more memorable, here check out some of these package upgrades.
Upgrade your experience at the show
Keep the magic alive before and long after the show’s over. You can contact Cirque du Soleil to enjoy some of the show upgrade options, including the opportunity to skip the box office, watching the show in premium seats, or enjoying a guided backstage tour after curtain call, which includes a special meet-and-greet with the cast. It’s all available to you, all you have to do is ask.
From the moment you step into the world of Drawn to Life, you'll find yourself drawn into the story in more ways than one. From the score to the character drawings, Drawn to Life is instantly nostalgic. Children will love it for the mesmerizing acrobatic performances—and parents will appreciate the memories it brings up of their childhood. Let yourself, and your imagination, be carried away.