# Burt Blague

Burt Blague (born Sergey Ignatov (Russian: Сергéй Леони́дович Игнáтов); born September 7, 1975) is a 4th generation artist, circus performer, comedian, director, teacher and producer.
Burt was born in a circus family, the dynasty of circus artists – the Ignatovs whose history began in the beginning of the 20th century. The great-grandfather, Ivan Petrovich Ignatov (1900-1975), was a groom and a riding master at the circus. He was an assistant trainer for the Nikitins, Efim Efimov, Gleb Lapiado, Vladimir Teplov.
The grandfather, Mikhail Ivanovich Ignatov (1922-1967), was a circus artist. Before the World War II he had been a dzhigit in Kshi's group. In the 1950s, he was an administrator at the Children's Department of the Mosconcert. In the 1960s he performed on stage with trained dogs and monkeys.
The parents Lidia Ignatova (1953) and Leonid Ignatov (1953) are famous Russian acrobats and jugglers. They started their circus career in Moscow circus in 1973. Living in France they are still performing.
The uncle (the father's brother) Sergei Ignatov (senior) (1950) is a famous juggler of the 20 century.
At the age of 13, Sergey Ignatov jr was awarded the Grand Prix at the Circus of the Future festival in Paris (1988). He is a twice World Juggling Federation Ring Division Champion (2004, 2008). In 2004 in the WJF 1 Championship, held in Las Vegas, Nevada he won two gold medals: in advanced rings division and in «5 rings up 360» competitions.
In 2008 in the WJF 5 Championship he won the gold medal in advanced rings division competitions again Famous American magician and TV presenter Penn Jillette described him in 2004 as "the Best ring juggler in the World".
Burt Blague worked for the Disney company. He is the creator and the original cast of the one man show "Sergio - the Italian Chef" at the Italian pavilion of Epcot Theme park (Orlando, FL). He also has been a consultant for the National Circus Project.
In 2003 in collaboration with Valentin Yudashkin as a costume designer, he staged in Moscow a show "Ploskosti".
In 2011, Burt Blague started performing as a clown in Riga Circus.
In 2015 he produced and directed a "Let's go Show", which toured in Peru in 2016.
A member of a jury at XVII Open Magic Championship.

## Biography

1988-1992 - Moscow Circus Tourney - USSR, Japan
1989 - Golden Medal Winner at the "World Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow" (Paris, France)
1990-1991 - Old Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard (Nikulin Circus)
1991 - Moscow Circus "Mission: Roots" - Greece, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Turkey
1991 - "Theater der Landeshauptstadt" - Germany
1991-1996 - "Moscow Circus" Tours - Russia, Japan, Greece, Italy, France, Egypt, Malta, Israel, Cyprus, Turkey, Finland
1992 - Finlandia Talo Huset Hall - Finland
1994 - Graduated from the school of modern choreography of Nikolay Ogryzkov (1st professional school of contemporary dance in Russia)
1995 - "Music Hall" - St. Petersburg, Russia
1995 - "Music Hall" - Lima, Peru
1995 - Taiwan Tour
1996 - Circus "Tihani", Chili
1996-1998 - "Moscow Circus" Tours - Russia, Japan
1998 - "Tiger Palast" - Germany
1998 - Circus "Krone" - Germany
1998-2000 - Studying in dance schools: "Dance Space", "Broadway Dance Center", "Steps on Broadway" Masters: Savion Glover, Ayodele Casel, Jimmy Tate, Henry LeTang, Jason Samuels Smith, Jimmy Slyde
1998-2000 - "Circus Production" - USA Tour
1998-2000 - "National Circus Project" - New York, USA
1999 - "Cirque Productions" Miami, FL, USA
1999 - "Cirque du Jour" TV Show - New York, USA
1999 - "New Wave Circus" - Atlantic City, USA
2000-2003 - Walt Disney Epcot Theme Park - Orlando, Florida, USA
2003 - Musical "Shock" - Tokyo, Japan
2003 - Director and Producer the show "Ploskosti" - Moscow, Russia
2004-2005 - "National Circus Project" - New York, USA
2004 - World juggling competition (WJF) - Las Vegas, USA (first-place winner)
2005 - Walt Disney Epcot Theme Park - Orlando, Florida, USA
2005-2006 - Vladivostok circus, managing director, Russia
2006-2007 - "National Circus Project" - New York, USA
2006-2008 - USA and Canada Tour "Cirque de la Symphonie"
2006 - TX Fair Dallas, USA
2007 - Film-school of directing (Alexander Mitta’s class)
2007 - TX Fair Dallas, USA
2007 - Show “FOUR” casino Estoril, Portugal
2008 - World juggling competition (WJF) - Las Vegas, USA (first-place winner)
2008 - TX Fair Dallas, USA
2009 - The European Juggling Convention in Spain (Guest Star)
2009 - TX Fair Dallas, USA
2010-2011 - Riga State Circus, Latvia
2012 - The jury of international circus festival in Riga "Golden Karl", Latvia
2011-2012 - "National Circus Project" New York, USA
2012-2013 - "Moscow circus on tour", Russia
2013-2014 - Chen Long international circus, China
2014-2015 - "Moscow circus on tour", Russia
2015 - A member of the Russian Association of Magicians - The jury of the XVI congress of Magicians.
2015-2016 - "Let’s go" Moscow, Russia
2016 - Peru, Lima Great tour with the show "Fantasy circus"
2016 - Show in "Izmir International Fair", "Burt Blague Clown Show" Turkey.
2017-2018 - "Cosmos", Russia
2019-2020 - "National Circus Project" New York, USA
2021–present - "Sergio" at EPCOT" Florida, USA