.
He never looked back and is now on the Australian tour of the Luzia show.
The 28-year-old, from Port Macquarie on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, is still in shock that he is part of the world’s largest live entertainment company.
By the age of 12, Nelson’s gymnastics skills were beyond the level of her small town gym.
He and a friend ended up teaching themselves and coaching other boys until they auditioned for the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in Melbourne.
Nelson attributes his success to being in the right place at the right time, as well as his unique skill set.
“They needed a hoop jumper who could double as the clown, and he had to be tall,” Nelson said.
“My two specialties at NICA are jumping through hoops and clowning, and I’m tall.
“It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
Nelson recently visited his mother, Leanne Prussing, in Port Macquarie. (ABC Mid North Coast: Wiriya Sati)
He was completing a bachelor’s degree in circus arts at NICA when he received an email from Cirque du Soleil.
At first, he thought it was a scam because he didn’t audition, but he eventually responded after his roommate pointed out that he would “regret” his decision if he ignored the real invitation.
It was another six weeks before he heard back that he had been accepted by Cirque du Soleil.
Nelson said it wasn’t until six months later, when he stepped off the stage after his first clown show, that the reality of his new life dawned on him.
He said: “I finished my performance and walked off the stage, tears streaming down my face.
“I never imagined anything like this would happen – a little boy from Port Macquarie starring on the Cirque du Soleil stage.”
Nelson rehearsed three hours a day for three months before being accepted into the Lucia show. (Image credit: Nelson Smyers)
Institute services industry needs
Nelson said NICA is the perfect stepping stone for anyone who wants to become a circus artist.
“It teaches you how to perform at the level required to be a professional circus performer,” he said.
Tegan Carmichael, NICA circus acting director, said graduates could pursue careers in many different ways.
“Our courses are designed to meet the needs of Australian industry,” she said.
“We have a number of alumni who have worked with Circa, Gravity and Other Myths, and they’ve toured internationally.”
Jumping through hoops and clowning around are Nelson’s specialties at NICA. (Photo credit: Jeff Young)
Ms Carmichael said circus audiences had moved away from traditional family shows featuring animals.
Ms Carmichael said: “It’s about breaking down barriers physically.
“Many people want to marvel at the amazing powers of the human body.”
One person who knows all too well how to push the boundaries is extreme juggler Gordo Gamsby, also from Port Macquarie.
Gordo Gamsby founded Slippery Circus, which ran a workshop at the school he attended, Warshop High School. (ABC Mid North Coast: Wiriya Sati)
For 20 years, he has toured 36 countries, performing dangerous stunts such as sword swallowing.
The 40-year-old has set 13 Guinness World Records thanks to his amazing strength.
He said: “I currently hold the record for the strongest tongue in the world.
“I started juggling, riding a unicycle and balancing a shopping cart on my chin.
“In Tasmania I met a guy who taught me how to hit my nose with a spoon and that opened up a whole new world of stunts for me.”
Gordo and Lucy Gamsby have slowed down to raise a family, but they still work in the circus. (ABC Mid North Coast: Wiriya Sati)
After traveling the world with his shows, he returned home with his wife Lucy Gamsby to start a family.
“We were ready to slow down the pace of touring, but we didn’t want that part of our lives to stop,” Gordon said.
They currently run a mixed arts festival called Tortuga in Port Macquarie, which includes song and dance performances.
Nelson Smyles performs a circus act on the beach at his home in Port Macquarie. (ABC Mid North Coast: Wiriya Sati)
As for Nelson Smyles, he far outlived his name.
“I like to do it, fail, sleep, think of new tricks, and then fail again,” he said.
