Recast and Rise - Career transition stories for artists

Eve Castelo
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Careers
  • Updated Biweekly

Ready to explore a career after the stage? You are in the right place. Eve Castelo (former Cirque du Soleil artist now working in tech), brings you real stories of performers, creatives, and artists who’ve stepped out of the spotlight and into something new. We go behind the scenes of big pivots, career transitions, identity shifts, and the messy magic of reinvention. Whether you're still performing or freshly retired, Recast and Rise will help you see that you’re not starting over, you’re just starting your next act.

  1. Sep 23

    From Cirque du Soleil to tech, furniture and everything in between

    Jason spent over a decade performing in KÀ by Cirque du Soleil, after touring internationally with Cirque and working in film and stunts. But even while he was performing, he was always exploring what else he could do. He ran operations for a startup. He started his own business, Dog Bird, building furniture. After leaving the stage, he moved into tech as a VP of Customer Experience, returned to coaching gymnastics, and eventually found his way into partnerships and creative development at a custom cabinetry company. In this episode, Jason shares what that career evolution actually looked like, why he always had something going on outside of performing, and why he believes the skills performers develop can be incredibly valuable in the business world. _____________________________________________ In this episode, you'll learn: ▸ How Jason prepared for life beyond performing while he was still on stage ▸ How to translate your performance experience into a resume ▸ What he learned from exploring very different career paths ▸ Why creativity is valuable far beyond the entertainment industry ▸ His advice for performers interested in corporate careers or starting a business ▸ Why becoming a beginner again can actually be exciting _____________________________________________ If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Jason Hardabura : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dogbird_designs/ 👋  Connect with Eve: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eve.recastandrise/⁠⁠ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

  2. Sep 16

    From Cirque du Soleil performer to occupational therapist

    Teresa spent years performing as a synchronized swimmer in Las Vegas, first at Le Rêve and later in Cirque du Soleil’s O. But behind the scenes, she was also building an entirely different career as an occupational therapist. In this episode of the Recast and Rise Podcast, Teresa shares her unconventional path from earning her master’s degree in occupational therapy, to pursuing her longtime dream of performing, to juggling both careers for nearly a decade. Now, after recently leaving the stage, Teresa opens up about why she knew it was finally time to move on, how staying on-call helped her ease into the transition, and what life looks like as she puts her energy back into occupational therapy. We also talk about what occupational therapists actually do, the education required to become one, the many career paths available within the field, and practical ways artists can explore OT before committing to years of school. You’ll learn: ▸ What an occupational therapist actually does and where OTs can work ▸ How Teresa balanced performing, healthcare, and continuing education ▸ What burnout taught her about knowing when it was time to leave the stage ▸ How staying on-call helped her make her career transition more gradual ▸ How artists can start exploring occupational therapy while they’re still performing ▸ Why observation, research, and taking one class at a time can help you explore a new career path ▸ How the drive, discipline, and resilience artists develop can translate into a completely different career ___________________________________________________ If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Teresa Liccardo  at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/teresa_liccardo/ 👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/eve.recastandrise/⁠ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

  3. Sep 2

    From circus performer to Co-Artistic Director: A career change story

    Carole Demers spent nearly 20 years as a Russian bar flyer, traveling the world before joining Cirque du Soleil and performing in shows including Zarkana, Alegría, and Paramour. For years, she knew she would eventually leave the stage, but every time she considered doing something different, another contract came along. Then the pandemic gave her the push to explore what else was possible. Today, Carole is a co-artistic director of a circus festival and an executive director of a circus company in Quebec City. She went back to university, earned a master’s degree in creative project management, and built a career that still keeps her connected to the circus world, just from a completely different side of it. In this episode, Carole shares what she calls her “soft transition” out of performing, how getting involved in a friend’s project opened doors she never expected, and what it felt like to go from being at the top of her field to being a beginner again. _____________________________________________ In this video, you'll learn: ▸ Why exploring new projects before you’re ready to leave can make career change easier ▸ How getting involved, meeting people, and following your interests can lead to unexpected opportunities ▸ What it feels like to go from being highly experienced in one career to starting again as a beginner ▸ Why Carole believes there are more possibilities available to artists than they might think Carole’s story is a great reminder that leaving the stage doesn’t mean leaving everything you loved about your old career behind. Sometimes, it means finding a completely new way to use it. _____________________________________________ If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Carole Demers  at: https://www.facebook.com/carole.demers.35 👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠ : https://www.instagram.com/eve.recastandrise/ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

  4. Aug 19

    Career change advice from a recruiter and business owner

    If you've ever wondered what recruiters are actually thinking during an interview, this episode is for you. This week, I sit down with Eric Lee Usher, entrepreneur, recruiter, and founder of an executive assistant recruiting business. Unlike many guests on the podcast, Eric didn't transition out of the performing arts. Instead, he shares the perspective artists rarely get to hear: what hiring managers and recruiters are really looking for when someone is changing careers. From translating your creative experience into business language to building confidence in interviews, Eric shares practical advice that every artist, performer, and creative professional should hear before applying for their next role. We also dive into how AI can help you prepare for your career transition without losing your authentic voice, why recruiters value creatives more than you might think, and one overlooked opportunity that could completely change the way you think about your next career move. _____________________________________________ In this video, you'll learn: ▸ Why recruiters often see creatives as a huge asset—and what concerns they may have ▸ The biggest interview mistakes candidates make (and how to avoid them) ▸ How to translate your performing arts experience into skills employers actually value ▸ How to use AI to prepare for interviews, improve your resume, and clarify your career direction ▸ Why knowing who you want to become matters more than knowing what job you want ▸ An overlooked career opportunity most job seekers aren't even considering _____________________________________________ If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Eric Husher at: https://www.instagram.com/ericleeusher/ 👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠ : https://www.instagram.com/eve.recastandrise/ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

  5. Aug 5

    The secret to a successful career change with Cliff Beach

    Musician, author, business leader, and entrepreneur Cliff Beach has built a career that proves creativity doesn't stop when you step away from your art. After earning an MBA and building a successful career in digital marketing, Cliff now serves as a Vice President while continuing to write, record, perform, host a radio show, and publish books. In this conversation, we explore why creativity is one of the most valuable skills you can bring into any career, why artists often underestimate the value they offer employers, and how to approach career change with curiosity instead of fear. If you've ever wondered whether you'll have to leave your creativity behind to build a new career, this episode is for you. You'll learn: ▸ Why creativity is one of the most valuable skills in business ▸ How to explore a new career without waiting until you're "ready" ▸ Practical advice for breaking into fields like marketing ▸ Why learning by doing often beats waiting for the perfect plan ▸ Cliff's process for writing books, launching projects, and actually finishing what you start Whether you're an artist, performer, or creative professional thinking about what's next, this episode will challenge the way you think about work, creativity, and career growth. 👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/eve.recastandrise/ ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Cliff Beach at: https://www.instagram.com/cliffbeachmusic/ 👉  Recast and Rise website: ⁠https://www.recastandrise.com/⁠ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

  6. Jul 22

    From actor to entrepreneur : Brett's career change story

    What do acting, comedy, stunt work, and acrobatic rigging have in common? Brett Copes! Brett's career has been anything but ordinary. After starting as an actor and comedian, he spent years performing stunt work before discovering a career behind the scenes as an acrobatic rigger. Today, through Fight and Flight Entertainment, he works with productions around the world, helping performers fly safely. In this episode, Brett shares how curiosity shaped his career, why many of his hobbies unexpectedly turned into jobs, and how he built a successful business through freelancing, consulting, and saying yes to opportunities. We also talk about finding mentors, negotiating your rates, and what it really takes to build a career in the entertainment industry beyond performing. _____________________________________________ In this episode, you'll learn: ▸ Why your hobbies and interests might reveal your next career ▸ How Brett transitioned from performer to acrobatic rigger ▸ What an acrobatic rigger actually does behind the scenes ▸ How freelancing evolved into a successful business ▸ Why asking for advice (and even asking what others charge) can accelerate your career ▸ Tips for breaking into backstage entertainment careers _____________________________________________ If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! 👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠ ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/recastandrise.eve/⁠ ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Brett at: https://www.instagram.com/fightorflightent/ 👉  Recast and Rise website  ⁠https://www.recastandrise.com/⁠ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

  7. Jul 8

    From ballet dancer to mental performance coach : A career change story

    Kirsten Kemp dedicated her life to ballet. She trained at the Houston Ballet Academy, earned a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah, and fulfilled her dream of dancing professionally with the Oklahoma City Ballet. After a knee injury led to an early end of her performing career, Kirsten found a new path. Today, she's the founder of The Confident Dancer, where she helps dancers overcome performance anxiety, perfectionism, self-doubt, and comparison so they can perform with more confidence and joy. In this episode, we talk about navigating an unexpected career transition, discovering coaching, building an online business from the ground up, and finding an identity beyond performing. Whether you're an artist exploring your next chapter or someone interested in coaching or entrepreneurship, Kirsten shares practical advice on choosing a niche, building confidence, marketing your business, and giving yourself permission to grow into a new career. 📍 In this episode, you'll learn ▸ How Kirsten transitioned from professional ballet dancer to coach ▸ How she discovered coaching during her career transition ▸ What it actually takes to build a successful coaching business ▸ Why choosing a niche is one of the biggest keys to success ▸ How to navigate the identity shift that comes with leaving the stage ▸ Why building a business takes patience, consistency, and the right mindset This conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone navigating career change, building a business, or redefining who they are beyond the work they've always known. If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Kirsten at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kirsten_theconfidentdancer/⁠ 👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/recastandrise.eve/⁠⁠ 👉  Recast and Rise website  ⁠https://www.recastandrise.com/⁠ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

  8. Jun 17

    From Las Vegas performer to director of operations: A career change success story

    Michelle DiTerlizzi spent years performing on some of the biggest stages in Las Vegas. She danced for Bette Midler, Lionel Richie, starred in Peep Show, worked as an aerialist, and finished her performing career with Criss Angel. But after years of performing, her body was telling her it was time for something different. In this episode, Michelle shares how she began building her next career while she was still on stage. From earning a business degree to shadowing managers backstage and taking on new responsibilities, she slowly started exploring what life beyond performing could look like. She also talks about navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic, becoming a beginner again, and learning an entirely new industry from the ground up. Today, Michelle is a Director of Operations leading teams, managing budgets, and overseeing entertainment experiences across multiple locations. Her story is a powerful reminder that your next career doesn't have to start after you leave the stage. It can start while you're still on it. _____________________________________________ 📍 In this video, you'll learn ▸ How Michelle started building experience before leaving the stage ▸ Why networking played a major role in her transition ▸ How she handled being a beginner again in a completely new industry ▸ The mindset that helped her overcome imposter syndrome ▸ Skills performers already have that employers value ▸ Practical advice for artists considering a career change _____________________________________________ Whether you're actively planning your next chapter or simply exploring what's possible, Michelle's story is a reminder that the skills you developed as a performer can take you much further than you think. If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recastandrise.eve/ ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Michelle  at: https://www.instagram.com/michelled3.14/ 👉  Eve website  https://www.recastandrise.com/ 🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Ready to explore a career after the stage? You are in the right place. Eve Castelo (former Cirque du Soleil artist now working in tech), brings you real stories of performers, creatives, and artists who’ve stepped out of the spotlight and into something new. We go behind the scenes of big pivots, career transitions, identity shifts, and the messy magic of reinvention. Whether you're still performing or freshly retired, Recast and Rise will help you see that you’re not starting over, you’re just starting your next act.

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