Contortionists take their act to ‘Gong Show’
Ashley King, left, and Alexa Siksa pose for the camera before filming their routine for “The Gong Show” at Sony Pictures in Culver City, Calif.
Alexa Siksa, left, and Ashley King strike a pose in the studio at Dance Extensions Performing Arts Center in Canonsburg.
Ashley King, top, and Alexa Siksa pose in the studio at Dance Extensions Performing Arts Center in Canonsburg.
Alexa Siksa, top, and Ashley King perform the routine they did at “The Gong Show” in the studio at Dance Extensions Performing Arts Center in Canonsburg.
A makeup artist applies eye shadow to Ashley King before King’s performance with Alexa Siksa on “The Gong Show.”
Makeup artists and hairstylists get Alexa Siksa ready to film her routine with Ashley King on “The Gong Show.”
CANONSBURG – Ashley King and Alexa Siksa make it look easy.
But it isn’t.
And they will prove it to a national television audience in an upcoming episode of “The Gong Show” reboot, which airs at 10 p.m. Thursdays on ABC. Their episode is expected to air in August.
King, 21, and Siksa, 15, are contortionists from Dance Extensions Performing Arts Center in Canonsburg, a studio that is gaining attention nationally in the entertainment television industry.
“They found us on Instagram,” said Betsy Shuttleworth, co-owner/director of Dance Extensions, which was recruited by “The Gong Show.” “They wanted contortionists, and what we do fit the bill for what they were asking for. It’s very gratifying to be respected enough to be called.”
After confirming the inquiry was legitimate, Shuttleworth sent a video to the show, and after a few suggestions from the show’s staff, King and Siksa performed an uptempo, playful number called “Bunny Tales.” Their performance is expected to air in August.
It is the second time this year a Dance Extensions contortionist has performed on national television. In April, 11-year-old Bella Gantt of Greensburg appeared on Steve Harvey’s “Little Big Shots.”
Neither King nor Siksa ever heard of “The Gong Show,” an amateur talent contest that originally aired from 1976 to 1978 – well before the girls were born.
The revival is produced by actor/comedian Will Arnett, with comedian Tommy Maitland, played by “Saturday Night Live” alum Mike Myers, as its host. All acts are judged by a rotating panel of three celebrities. Among the judges to date are Fred Armisen, Elizabeth Banks, Will Forte, Ken Jeong, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and, of course, Arnett.
“It makes me feel famous,” Siksa said.
Shuttleworth and the girls spent three days at Sony Pictures in Culver City, Calif., where they taped the show. King and Shuttleworth got to do some sightseeing, but Siksa, who attends cyberschool, had to go to school for four hours a day, per the show’s rules. They spent one day rehearsing, followed by a day of filming in front of a live audience.
“I got nervous in rehearsal,” Siksa said. “Then I got myself together.”
Their routine is an homage to rabbits and is performed to music from “Cirque du Soleil.” But the girls weren’t permitted to use the “Cirque du Soleil” music on television, so they performed “Bunny Tales” to different music.
“It was time to figure out what we’re made of,” Shuttleworth said.
And it wasn’t exactly easy to make the adjustment, even though the girls have been performing the routine for a year.
“It was tough,” said King, who works at Dance Extensions and takes business management classes through Point Park University.
“If we messed up, there was nothing we could do,” King said. “We only had two practices with the new music. It was cool, though.”
“The Gong Show” built one of the props – a clear box – the girls use in their routine because it would have been too costly to ship their own box. The show also provided custom-made bunny ears for the girls.
Even though Shuttleworth and the girls know if they were gonged, they aren’t permitted to divulge how they fared.
“They only got one shot, so they had to do it right,” said Shuttleworth, who coaches the girls along with Dance Extensions co-owner Dawn Bercini-Churney.
Among the acts that will appear on the same show as King and Siksa are a dog trainer, a dancing chicken and an opera singer dressed as an owl.
“This for sure was more pressure,” said King, noting that competitions are easier because Dance Extensions does “multiple competitions every year.”
Shuttleworth said they were treated very well during their visit, and that hairstylists and makeup artists fawned all over the girls.
“Meeting new people is always my favorite part of performing,” Siksa said.