Circus Vargas raises tent for upcoming performances

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Workers put up the main tent for Circus Vargas, on Front Street in Burbank on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The circus opens Thursday, April 20. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Workers put up the main tent for Circus Vargas, on Front Street in Burbank on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The circus opens Thursday, April 20. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Mariella Quiroga, who will perform Steampunk trapeze, strikes a pose as the tent for Circus Vargas goes up, on Front Street in Burbank on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Anthony Bachliyski, in the background, also performs as “Spike,” a Steampunk character. The circus opens Thursday, April 20. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Steampunk character “Spike,” played by Anthony Bachliyski, strikes a pose as the tent for Circus Vargas goes up, on Front Street in Burbank on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The circus opens Thursday, April 20. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Workers put up the main tent for Circus Vargas, on Front Street in Burbank on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The circus opens Thursday, April 20. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Juggler and trampoline performer Vladimir Kim does the laceline for the Circus Vargas main tent, on Front Street in Burbank on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The circus opens Thursday, April 20. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Workers put up the main tent for Circus Vargas, on Front Street in Burbank on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The circus opens Thursday, April 20. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

By Anthony Clark Carpio

April 18, 2017 6:40 PM PT

It has been a goal for the members of Circus Vargas to bring generations of families together and use the big top to convey that message.

For this season’s production, called “SteamCirque,” the cast tries to show people that two different worlds can coexist.

Circus Vargas’ residency in Burbank will start on Thursday and wrap up on May 8. Tickets are available at www.circusvargas.com.

Half of the cast will be dressed in steampunk attire, while the other half will be suited up in traditional circus clothing, said Katya Quiroga, co-owner of Circus Vargas.

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Regardless of what they will be wearing, the performers are still looking to wow the crowds with their technical and oftentimes death-defying stunts.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that tries to merge 19th-century industrial themes with futuristic components.

“It’s kind of like the past and the future in one,” Quiroga said. “It’s really today, really now. Kids are into steampunk now.”

In addition to the new theme, the circus has a new archery act in which the final stunt involves about 30 bows being fired in succession to ultimately shoot an apple off a performer’s head.

Nelson Quiroga, the other co-owner of the circus and Katya’s husband, said they wanted a theme where they can continue to try bringing families together through their performances, especially during the recent political climate.

“We wanted to figure out how we could put different communities together and have them coexist,” Nelson Quiroga said. “I think we did that. It is important for people to see your message but still have fun. That is the best part.”

Katya Quiroga said it is also important to develop new and creative themes for their productions each year to keep not only the audience entertained, but their performers as well.

“We have to take some risks,” she said. “I think in order to have success, you have to take some risks. You cannot do the same old, same old all the time.”

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio