Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Neil Goldberg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Neil, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Financial happiness is subjective, work is a way of self-expression. I’ve been fortunate to express myself on stage to a myriad of gratifying rewards. Being creative and earning a living from what comes natural is a gift, not a job. One of the companies I founded and opened in 2003 in South Florida is Dream Studios, which has now grown into a premier theatrical, film, and media complex offering show design services, video production across all genres, costume fashioning, creative studios, and workspaces. It also hosts a diverse contemporary art collection encouraging discovery and creativity. Dream Studios is my playground of imagination where I innovate, explore and produce every day with a team of very talented dreamers. Costume design is also one of my passions. A costume can tell a fantastical story and establish the imaginary substance of a character.

I’m fortunate to be able to work in this creative environment every day that supports my imagination and career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My mom took me to see my first Broadway play when I was 8 years old. It was The Miracle Worker, Helen Keller story. I was mesmerized at the stage setting, dimension and how every time the house moved, audiences would view a different perspective. Afterwards at home I took a dozen cardboard shoe boxes and recreated the stage set. It wasn’t long before I realized that prior to anyone walking out onto the stage, a lot of preparation needed to be done for the stage. That’s when I decided to spend my life putting on shows. My education and hands on experience became a wealth of knowledge covering every aspect of live entertainment.

In 1995, unbeknownst to me, the VP of Marketing for Caesars and Atlantic City Hilton casinos showed up at one of my shows. He handed me his business card which led to a 3 year contract to produce my first public cirque show in Atlantic City. What followed was 30 years of Cirque Dreams shows throughout the world until selling the brand to Cirque du Soleil in 2018.

Flexibility has always been a key to every project. With every challenge, an open mind and flexibility offers a solution. I believe this unique quality has contributed to the growth and success of all my shows, accomplishments and companies.

I’m extremely proud of creating and producing over 25 show titles that have performed on 6 continents, in 500 cities to over 50 million people including Broadway, casinos, cruise lines and some of the most famous theatres in the world. The NY Daily News proclaiming, “There have only been a handful of shows that have generated an exclamation point as assertive as the ones created and directed by Neil Goldberg.” is both gratifying and humbling. Revolutionizing the entertainment landscape for over three decades with highly imaginative contemporary circus arts, theatrical and immersive entertainment experiences has been a dream come true. Seeing some of my distinctive costume creations featured in museums and magazines is an indescribable emotion.
A standout career highlight has been providing entertainment to US service members and their families at military bases throughout the world, having the first POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance book inducted into the USO’s Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program & Libraries and winning 7 Telly Awards for the holiday film based on the book.

Currently I am focused on growing the POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance entertainment brand into a global enterprise with an award-winning children’s book series, live-action immersive holiday shows and experiences, a product line of character toys, an animated television series and more.

Quality, affordability, diversity and memorability – these principles have been the foundation of every show, film, book, event and product I continue to imagine and produce.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal has always been to exceed expectations by paying attention to every detail, no matter how small. After selling my Cirque Dreams entertainment brand to Cirque du Soleil, I began writing children’s books to connect the visual and imaginary with reality and literature to develop a new platform that encourages and supports kids in the arts.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

There is so much more to art than the actual art. Society can support the creative ecosystem by participating, supporting artists, encouraging innovators and investing in creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pompsnowandcirqueumstance.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pompsnowcirque/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dn5RFYOyEY
• Other: CIRQUE AT THE DIPLOMAT COMING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON The New Stage Spectacular & Immersive Experience POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, A MUSICAL, MAGIC AND CIRQUE HOLIDAY SHOW For The Entire Family The razzle-dazzle of Broadway meets the tinsel and glamour of Hollywood at the exclusive residency of POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance at The Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood, FL December 22 through 30, 2023 for 19 performances POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, the highly anticipated new cirque-inspired stage spectacle and immersive experience by renowned producer and Broadway director Neil Goldberg, will perform December 22 through 30, 2023 – at The Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood, FL in partnership with Capture Studios Group and Variety Arts Management. This limited engagement is expected to sell out. Tickets are on sale now at www.CirqueAtTheDiplomat.com. Adapted from Goldberg’s 9-time award-winning book and 7-time Telly Award holiday film, POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance takes audiences on an exhilarating journey alongside three best friends who master music, magic, and circus skills for the holiday season at a secret university before sharing their talents with the world. Ticket holders attending the live action holiday cirque show will first enter the POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance IMMERSIVE UNIVERSE. This unique interactive holiday wonderland is an enchanting world of dazzling lights, remarkable decorations, festive treats & characters from the storybook. Upon entering the Great Hall Theatre, guests will be surrounded by the storybook illustrations in a 360° video mapping experience highlighting the live-action theatrical stage spectacle in the round. An international cast of 30 astonishing acrobats, magicians, singers, dancers, and enchanting characters mesmerize with over 200 breathtaking costumes to an original musical score. Aerial acts, gravity-defying circus performances, spellbinding magic and disappearances, skating, cycling and show-stopping Broadway-style production numbers make this entertainment destination and show the perfect holiday gift with an unforgettable grand appearance by Santa. “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance is a unique, one-of-a-kind holiday attraction. The experience will leave audiences of all ages breathless, create everlasting memories, and become a new family holiday tradition,” says Goldberg. Limited VIP experiences, premium seating, meet and greets, exclusive bundles, hotel packages and tickets are on sale now at www.CirqueAtTheDiplomat.com ABOUT NEIL GOLDBERG Neil Goldberg is a mastermind of live entertainment revolutionizing the landscape for over three decades with highly imaginative contemporary circus arts, theatrical and immersive entertainment experiences. His brilliant shows and creations have appeared in over 500 US cities, across six continents and attended by over 50 million people globally. After selling his Cirque Dreams company to Cirque du Soleil in 2019, he wrote the award-winning book, POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, produced it into a 7-time Telly Award winning film, and is now bringing it to the stage for the holidays. The New York Daily News proclaims, “There have only been a handful of shows that have generated an exclamation point as assertive as the ones created and directed by Neil Goldberg.” https://www.pompsnowandcirqueumstance.com/ ABOUT CAPTURE STUDIO GROUP Capture Studio Group is an entertainment hybrid of physical studio locations, as well as a full-service marketing, digital, and communications agency. We partner with brands to bring them to life in ways that are relevant, impactful, and direct, driving groundbreaking results. With a focused expertise on Live Events, our concept-driven, consumer-focused approach leverages multiple platforms enabling us to hone and activate brand messages through meaningful experiences that maximize impact and engagement. We help our clients build unstoppable, world-class brands that stand apart.