Tampa FL Cirque du Soleil Audience In Shock After Ribbon Dancer Plunges To Stage

An aerial acrobat fell during a Tampa Under the Big Top performance of Cirque du Soleil‘s “Volta” Saturday night leaving audience members stunned and prompting organizers to cancel the remainder of that show as well as ALL remaining shows at the venue.

The dancer, who has not been identified, reportedly was on one of the ribbon straps when something went wrong and they catapulted onto the stage. Cirque du Soleil has not released any information on the extent of the employee’s injuries.

Cirque du Soleil released the following uninformative statement about the accident:

“Yesterday night, March 17th, one of the aerial straps artists of VOLTA by Cirque du Soleil fell during his performance on stage in Tampa,” according to spokesman Jose Boza. “The artist was immediately carried out of stage to receive assistance. In order for the VOLTA team to focus on the health of the artist, the rest of the show was cancelled.” source

Cirque du Soleil’s touring “Volta” show has been in production since mid-February at Tampa’s Under the Big Top, located by the Tampa Greyhound Track on Nebraska Avenue. There were two remaining shows scheduled for 1:30 and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 18, but they have been canceled, according to a statement.

“The performances that were planned today have also been cancelled. We will stay in contact with the members of the audience who had purchased tickets for the show.”