Cirque Alice’s creative director, Ash Jacks McCready will dazzle you with her new productions. Don’t miss the truly uplifting and exciting performance at the beautiful Coliseum Theatre in Sydney! She’ll be bringing the fruits of that vision and passion to life in the upcoming holiday show running from Dec. 24-Jan. 4. This production marks an important professional turning point for McCready. Yet it’s the poetic tale of a profound personal journey—of love, commitment, loss, resilience.
Throughout these four years, McCready fell into a dance-like relationship with the high school experience. It was here, during this pivotal era, that her passion started to bloom, continuing to guide her as she pursued her career. Then reality hit, and soon she was navigating the complexities of being a creative pregnant woman. With her own experience of getting ready to welcome her first child, she went through a special time of vulnerability and self-exploration.
High school classmate Tom, under the radar, pulled a stunner. After a painful 24-hour information blackout period after their first match, he personally made the call to connect with McCready. Their typical first date didn’t pan out, but the two realized almost immediately that they had a strong connection. This bond would go on to profoundly impact both of their lives. Within months, she and Linton became live-in partners, the start of a relationship that would allow McCready to flourish as an artist.
Even though she had rejected Tom’s invitations for three straight weeks, she was immediately attracted to his persistent encouragement. Tom was a steadfast partner and advocate on her journey. He assisted her on running the show Cirque Bon Bon even while she was 36 weeks pregnant! This team-up not only proved their undeniable synergy, but Tom’s recognition of McCready’s commitment to her art.
McCready’s transition was a difficult one. Having experienced a sense of lack of direction for the first time ever, she came back and stayed with her parents in Noosa. Through all of this Tom personally drove up from Brisbane every weekend to be there for his friend, bringing companionship and moral support. It was his commitment that had buoyed her earnings in a boom economy. It was essential for her as she traversed the challenges of motherhood and art-making.
Unfortunately, it seems many would think that touring would be a given necessity for an artist of McCready’s stature. In her decision to be a stay-at-home mom, she found peace. She made people happy when she declined offers of tour and gig. She learned that not wanting to miss her family’s brief developmental window didn’t make her a failure or unambitious. Instead, her artistic vision remained intact as she created not just for thousands but for three: herself, Tom, and their growing family.
Just days after McCready welcomed her second child, Tom was forced to jump into action. Once in the tent, he played a key role in finalizing preparations for the opening night of Cirque Alice. He wheeled her around the theatre in a wheelchair, proving that nothing—not even cancer—would come between them and their hopeful vision of a shared dream. This quiet moment captured the core of their partnership—one grounded in respect, love, and shared vision.
Cirque Alice is sure to be an echo chamber for Ash Jacks McCready’s unique path of exploration as a mother and a creatrix in this choreography/dance field. Together with Tom by her side, they’ve carved out a beautiful creative space together— right inside the complexities of love and artistic ambition itself. This production is more than just a show. It’s a remarkable testament to the power of collaboration and the unbroken, undying love of art that continues to shape their lives.