We have two main categories of performers: Actors and Riders
Our Riders
At Arabian Nights performing and working with horses are the passions that unify our talented and diverse cast of performers. Many performers are lifetime equestrians, some with years of competition experience, but not all.
When Mark Miller created Arabian Nights, he not only wanted a home for Equestrian Arts, but also a place where a new generation of equestrians could learn new skills. That is accomplished daily at Arabian Nights.
Several performers had never set foot in a stable or sat astride a horse when they auditioned to work at Arabian Nights. Many had other skills, such as acrobatic talent. After joining the cast at Arabian Nights, many performers, whether they have prior horse knowledge or not, learn new skills. Many learn new riding disciplines or maneuvers like Trick Riding or High School Dressage, but others sit on a horse for the first time, and some even learn to stand, leap and do flips on the backs of our draft horses.
The riding staff puts in many hours training, and many more hours caring for the horses they work with each night.
Our Actors
A love of performing also brings a variety of actors to Arabian Nights, from those with prior Broadway experience to local theater talent. Stage presence, improvisation and high energy are a must for all of our acting roles.
Csaba Szilagyi
An excellent example of the kind of performer we seek at Arabian Nights is our Barn Manager, Csaba Szilagyi. Csaba came to Arabian Nights in 2003, and since then he has proven himself to be an invaluable asset. Csaba began his career at Arabian Nights with no knowledge of horses or riding, with a background as a circus acrobat in both Hungary and the United States.
Since then, Csaba has demonstrated an exceptional ability to learn and teach new skills. He quickly became a featured performer in the Gypsy Bareback act, where he put his acrobatics to use on the backs of our horses. He also worked hard to develop his skills as a rider, learning to ride in our drills and to trick ride. Csaba is a great example of someone who wants to improve the quality of the Arabian Nights show by improving his range of talent, and he continues to do so even now.
Interested in a career at Arabian Nights? Visit our careers page.
See Also: Cast & Stars | The Black Stallion | The Horses