Who is Laura Kmetko?
I’m a Teeterboard Flyer and House Troupe Acrobat with Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza since 2013.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
If I wasn’t an acrobat, I would take my mum’s advice and make use of my first degree which was in nutrition and dietetics from Monash University.
Who inspires you and why?
There are a few key people in my life who encouraged and supported me to pursue this dream, and they inspire me to be brave every day.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
The privilege of working in Cirque du Soleil is that I get to make a difference in people’s lives every day by sharing the joy and gratitude I feel when I’m performing circus in cities all over the world. Now I get to bring about that experience in my hometown, while sharing the uniqueness of this country with my international circus family.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
With the constant travel of the tour, I get to spend my days off exploring new cities and making myself feel at home away from ‘home’. For me, the familiarity of a good coffee, and some green spaces to relax in, provide a sense of routine for my ‘weekend’ that in a constantly changing environment, helps the mind to re set just like it can on holiday. London, Bern, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Vienna and Santiago were particular highlights for this reason
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
The Arts Centre or the National Gallery of Victoria, because they always have exhibitions and musical performances worth checking out. And go for a coffee at Brunetti’s in the heart of the CBD.
What are you currently reading?
Conflict in Ukraine – The unwinding of the Post-Cold War Order by Menon and Rumer (Boston Review) and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – the autobiography of Maya Angelou.
What are you currently listening to?
Matt Corby, Joe Satriani, The Winery Dogs, Karnivool, Def Jam Poetry performances by Jill Scott and Georgia Me, as well as my own songs I recorded 10 years ago that are ready for some re arranging.
Happiness is?
An inside job.
What does the future hold for you?
I’ll continue to travel with KOOZA throughout Australia, Singapore and Asia and use my spare time to develop other artistic interests (drums, songwriting and fashion design).
Laura is currently performing in Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza under the Big Top at Flemington Racecourse until 26 March, before heading to Perth’s Belmont Park Racecourse from 13 April 2017. For more information and tickets, visit: www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza for details.
Image: Laura Kmetko – photo by Daniel Linnet